Help your new cat adapt to her litter box as soon as possible and you’ll both be happier.

* A litter pan – either a hooded box or a more open one. Check your local pet store for a variety of options.
* An autoscoop pan if you plan to be away for a day or two at a time. We do not recommend leaving a cat alone for longer than that unless you have someone look in on them. But at least they won’t have to worry too much about tending the litter.
* A rug or tray of some sort to help keep the outside litter area neat.
* A slotted utensil like a scooper that you can use to easily scoop the feces and wet litter out of the tray.
* A clumping litter so that even liquid waste can be easily scooped and removed, so your house will not smell like cat urine. But never use one with kittens, as they might lick it off their feet or eat it and get a blockage.
* A stash of plastic bags for quick and handy waste disposal.
* Plastic litter pan liners can be a convenient way to change out the entire box of litter quickly and easily when the time comes.

Put the cat in the tray and let it sniff and observe, and pad around in it. If you can, take one of its front paws and make a digging motion.

If you catch it mid-pee or poo outside the box, either put the pet in the box to finish, or put the poo in the box so it will get the idea.