Cats like to be tidy.

Create a Kitty Rest Stop

Cats are naturally neat and intelligent, so it's generally not hard to teach them how to use a litter box. Some kittens will have learned this skill from their mother, but if yours hasn't, don't worry -- all it takes is a little practice on your pet's part and a little patience on yours.

If you are housebreaking an adult cat, the guidelines are the same, though it may be more challenging and take longer to change her ways.

Start by picking a location for the litter box that your cat will approve of. Here are some tips for finding the best place:

• Cats like to do their bathroom business in a place that provides privacy. Select a spot that's out of the flow of household traffic.
• Noise can disrupt a kitten trying to concentrate. Look for a place that's quiet, away from chatty humans and loud appliances.
• Locate the litter box a reasonable distance from your kitten's food and water dishes. (The opposite end of a room is OK; right next to the dishes is not.)
• Once you find the ideal spot, stick with it. Moving the litter box from place to place might confuse your kitten and cause a setback in your training efforts.

Litter boxes come in many shapes, sizes, and materials. When selecting one for your kitten, look for one that is:

• Easy to clean. Plastic is the most practical material, as it can be wiped down. A simple design will also make cleanups quick and painless. A covered box may help prevent messes if your kitten has poor aim or sends litter flying in all directions.

• Sized for your kitten. The box overall should provide ample room for your cat to find just the right place to do its business and to cover the resulting wet spots and droppings with litter -- but the sides should be low enough for a small kitten, or an older cat, to easily climb in and out.

Cat litter comes in various textures and scents. For a kitten's first litter, it's best to choose a basic, unscented kind; some kittens dislike scented litters and may refuse to use them. The litter can be either a traditional clay type or one of the newer clumping types, made to be scooped out as it's used instead of changed completely on a periodic basis.

Fill the box with about three inches of regular clay litter, or one to two inches of clumping litter. Keep the box filled to this level so your cat always has enough litter to dig and paw.