How to Train a Cat to Use a Litter Box

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Learning how to train a cat to use a litter box is mostly about getting the setup right, because most cats already know what a litter box is for. Cornell Feline Health Center says cats are naturally fastidious and most will instinctively use a litter box. Humane World for Animals makes the same point. The training work is therefore about making the box easy to use, keeping it clean and ruling out medical causes if the cat starts going elsewhere. This guide walks through the setup first, then the habits that keep a cat using the box.

Quick answer

Provide one box per cat plus one extra, use a simple box without a hood or liner, fill it with about one to two inches of unscented, fine-textured litter, and place it in a quiet, accessible spot away from food and water. Scoop every day. If a cat that was using the box starts going elsewhere, see a veterinarian before changing the setup, because pain or illness can cause litter box problems.

Start with the right number of boxes

Counting is the first setup step. The ASPCA says to have a litter box for each cat in the household, as well as one extra. Cornell gives the same rule: one box per cat plus one. Humane World for Animals describes it as the general rule and adds that the boxes should be placed in different areas of the home, so a cat is never trapped by a single box.

For a two-cat home, that means three boxes. For a single cat, it means two. The extra box is not wasted: it gives a cat somewhere else to go when another cat is using the first one, and it covers the time a box is being cleaned. Humane World for Animals notes that cats may avoid a box another cat has just used, so regular scooping matters even with extra boxes.

Pick a box a cat will use

The box is the next decision. Cornell says most cats prefer simple boxes without hoods. The ASPCA says the majority of cats prefer large boxes that they can enter easily, and that most cats do not like box liners or lids. Humane World for Animals describes a good box as one that is large enough for the cat to turn around in comfortably and low enough for easy entry and exit.

Covered boxes can cut litter scatter and odor for people, but they can also trap smells and limit a cat’s view of its surroundings. Humane World for Animals advises that a cat that avoids a covered box should be given an open one. Self-cleaning boxes are convenient, but Humane World for Animals notes they can be intimidating to some cats, especially those used to traditional boxes. The ASPCA also suggests that if a cat starts going outside the box after a self-cleaning box is installed, switching back to a traditional box is a reasonable step.

Size matters for every cat. For a low-entry option, see our guide to litter boxes with steps. Cornell notes that larger cats need bigger boxes, and that kittens and elderly cats need boxes with low sides. An older cat with arthritis may find a high-sided box hard to enter, so a low-entry box is the better choice for that cat.

Choose a litter the cat will accept

Most cats prefer unscented, fine-textured litter. Cornell says most, but not all, cats prefer unscented, fine-textured litter, and the ASPCA says most cats prefer clumping, unscented litter with a medium to fine texture. Humane World for Animals adds that cats tend to prefer fine-grained litter that resembles sand, and that scented litters can be overwhelming for a cat even though they mask odors for people.

Depth matters too. The ASPCA says cats usually prefer one to two inches of litter rather than three to four inches, and Humane World for Animals says most cats prefer about two inches. Deeper litter can make the box feel unsafe to some cats, so keep the layer shallow.

Changing the litter brand suddenly is a common cause of problems. Cornell advises that if you must switch brands, do so gradually by adding small amounts of the new litter to the old. Humane World for Animals says that once a cat has found a litter it likes, you should stick with it, since frequent changes can lead to avoidance. If you are unsure what a cat prefers, the ASPCA suggests offering different litters in boxes placed side by side so the cat can show its preference.

Place the box where the cat wants it

Placement often decides whether a cat uses the box. Cornell says most cats prefer a location that is quiet, private, separate from the feeding area and easy to reach at all hours. The ASPCA says cats like their boxes in a quiet but not cornered spot, where they can see people or animals approaching and have more than one escape route.

Keep the box away from loud or busy places. The ASPCA lists examples such as next to a washer and dryer, next to the dog’s food and water bowls, or in areas with a lot of foot traffic. Put the cat’s food and water bowls somewhere other than right beside the box. If you live in a home with more than one floor, the ASPCA suggests a box on each level. For more on spots that work, see our litter box placement guide.

A location the cat can reach easily matters more than a tidy corner. Humane World for Animals notes that it is tempting to hide boxes in out-of-the-way places, but spots that feel unsafe or uncomfortable can discourage use.

Keep the habits that keep a cat using the box

Cleaning is part of training because a cat will avoid a dirty box. Humane World for Animals says scooping daily keeps the box clean and inviting. The ASPCA says virtually all cats like clean litter boxes, so scoop and change the litter at least once a day. Cornell says cats may avoid a litter box area that is not clean.

Avoid scented products near the box. Humane World for Animals advises avoiding strong scents and air fresheners near the box, and the ASPCA notes that scented cleaners can cause a cat to develop an aversion to the scent. A light layer of baking soda at the bottom of the box is one way to control odor without deterring the cat, according to Humane World for Animals.

Watch for changes. A cat that suddenly stops using the box is signaling something. Humane World for Animals says the first step is a veterinary check to rule out medical problems such as urinary tract infections or arthritis, and that stress or conflict with other cats can also be a cause. Cornell describes medical conditions that interfere with urination or defecation, including kidney disease, thyroid disease and diabetes, as possible causes. The ASPCA says the first step is to rule out urine marking and medical problems before changing the setup.

Clean up accidents thoroughly

If a cat has an accident outside the box, clean the spot thoroughly. Cornell’s house soiling guidance says cats will re-soil and spray areas they have marked with their scent, so cleaning is crucial to breaking that cycle. It also says odors must be neutralized, not just masked, to escape a cat’s sense of smell. Avoid cleaners containing ammonia or vinegar, since they smell like urine to a cat.

Common mistakes to avoid

The most common mistake is having too few boxes for the number of cats. The ASPCA lists this among the reasons cats eliminate outside the box, along with boxes that are too small, too deep litter, and litter that is not cleaned often enough.

The second mistake is using a box with a liner or lid. Humane World for Animals says many cats avoid liners and lids, and Cornell says covers hold odors in from the cat’s point of view.

The third is changing too many things at once. If you change the box, the litter and the location together, you will not know which change helped or hurt. Make one change at a time and give it time to work.

How we chose the sources

We used Humane World for Animals’ litter training guidance, Cornell Feline Health Center’s guides on choosing and caring for a new cat and on house soiling, and the ASPCA’s litter box problems article. We checked each claim against the saved text of each page. We did not use retail product pages or commercial litter blog posts.

What we could not verify

None of the sources we opened gives a step-by-step training method for teaching a cat to use a box from scratch. The steps above describe the setup and habits that these sources recommend, not a tested training protocol, and we did not find a timeline for how long a cat takes to adjust.

We also did not verify how well any single setup works for a given cat. Cats differ, and a box that suits one may not suit another. For any sudden change in litter box habits, ask a veterinarian before changing the setup, since pain or illness can cause avoidance.

FAQ

How many litter boxes does a cat need?

Cornell and the ASPCA both recommend one box per cat plus one extra. A single cat should have two boxes, and two cats should have three.

What litter is best for training a cat?

Most cats prefer unscented, fine-textured litter about one to two inches deep, according to Cornell, the ASPCA and Humane World for Animals. Introduce a new litter gradually if you switch.

Should I use a covered litter box?

Humane World for Animals notes that covered boxes can trap odors and limit a cat’s view. If a cat avoids a covered box, switch to an open one.

Why did my cat stop using the litter box?

The ASPCA and Humane World for Animals both say to rule out medical problems first with a veterinarian. Stress, conflict with other cats, and dirty or poorly placed boxes are other possible causes.

How often should the box be cleaned?

Scoop daily, according to Humane World for Animals and the ASPCA. The ASPCA also recommends a full cleaning with warm water and unscented soap, baking soda or no soap once a week.

Bottom line

Training a cat to use a litter box starts with the setup: one box per cat plus one, a simple unhooded box, unscented fine litter about one to two inches deep, and a quiet, accessible location away from food. Keep the box clean, avoid scents, and make changes one at a time. If a cat that was using the box stops, ask a veterinarian to rule out medical problems before you change anything else.

Sources

• https://www.humaneworld.org/en/resources/how-litter-train-kitten-or-cat – opened 2026-10-27
• https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/choosing-and-caring-your-new-cat – opened 2026-10-27
• https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/litter-box-problems – opened 2026-10-27
• https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/feline-behavior-problems-house-soiling – opened 2026-10-27