Cats aren’t born knowing how to use a litter box, but usually they pick it up quickly. Many cat owners believe that cats naturally prefer to use a litter box, but this is not always the case. Yes, many cats do enjoy digging and burying their daily deposits — perhaps to mask their scent from other cats.

Not all cats do this, however. While most kittens are trained by their mothers at around 3 weeks old, other cats may struggle to get used to the litter box. Alternatively, they may like to use your houseplants, bundled bed covers, or carpet instead.

If your Bengal didn’t receive the message about the litter box, don’t worry. Cats are naturally clean animals who want to keep things in order as soon as possible when nature calls. There are a few pointers that can assist you in getting things back on track, as well as a several blunders you should avoid if your feline companion is having trouble sticking to the litter box.

5 Tips for getting your cat to use the litter box

1 – Bengals love privacy:  Your cat’s litter box should not be placed too near her sleeping location and should offer some seclusion (we aren’t the only ones who prefer a little privacy when nature calls). Cats are terrified by loud noises, so litter boxes should be placed in a quiet, calm location that is easily available to your cat. You may need to guide your new Kamanda Bengal kitten or any cat that have been rehomed to you several times a day until they get accustomed to their surroundings. But don’t expect it to take long for them figure out where they’re supposed to go.

2 – Be sure to box train, don’t space train:  You may believe you’ve trained your Bengal kitten to use your litter box when he or she only learned to go in the general area where the box is located. Unfortunately, you may discover this after moving the box to a new spot — only to discover your pet is still faithfully depositing waste where the litter box used to be. If you need to move your cat’s litter box, you can prevent confusion by periodically moving the litter box a few feet at a time until it (and your cat’s waste) is where you want them to be.

3 – Cleanliness counts:  Bengals hate going into “filthy” litter boxes as much as we humans despise unclean bathrooms, and you don’t want them coming up with their own options. To keep your Bengal using the litter box, it should be cleaned out once a day and the litter changed every week to 10 days. Place a plastic trash bag with the old litter in your outside trash can and then clean out the container with warm water and a mild dish soap before refilling with fresh litter. Avoid using bleach or any other harsh chemicals, which can harm your Bengal kitten.

4 – Don’t make them share: Bengals are territorial animals who don’t want to share their territory. Every Bengal cat wants his/her own litter box, so you’ll need one for each Bengal cat you have. Once one cat claims the litter box, the other may find a place of her own. Your cat’s litter box can be a pain to keep clean, much less two or three.

Maintaining multiple litter boxes may feel like an extra chore, but it is well worth the effort. Cleaning more than one litter box is far less of a headache than attempting to redirect Fluffy from using your hall closet or brand-new Persian rug as his or her toilet.

5 – Off the mark:  If your Bengal cat has turned your house plant into her own personal toilet, you may redirect her by placing a handful of tiny, sharp rocks or sprinkling some cayenne pepper on top of the soil. This should be enough to make it unappealing to her to use your favorite fern to do her business.

Ultimately, the trick is to make your Bengal’s litter box the most welcoming, obvious choice for her bathroom needs. If your Bengal doesn’t seem to be settling in like she should, consider trying a different type of litter, moving the litter box to a different location, or placing some treats or catnip toys near the litter box until she gets used to it.

If your Bengal refuses to use a box that she has been using successfully previously, it might be an indication of a urinary tract infection or some other health issue. Make an appointment with a trusted veterinarian immediately to get this looked at.