I took in two abandoned kittens. They are a month old and I am trying to get them to use a litter box. Sometimes one of them does but most of the time both of them go right outside of the box. How can I teach them the right place to use?
2006-06-25 06:40:37 · 16 answers · asked by cam57 5 in Pets ➔ Cats
You mentioned the kittens were abandoned. Were they born and raised outdoors? If so, try putting some dirt from outside in the box with only a little bit of litter. They may be used to digging in soil and have no clue what the litter is.
I did this with a stray outdoor kitten that my family adopted. He figured it out right away. Eventually, I increased the portion of litter to dirt until it was just litter. It's messy to clean out the dirt all the time, but better than cleaning it off the floor!
2006-06-25 08:56:56 · answer #1 · answered by hollylitespeed 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some cats (and kittens) are finicky about their litter box, it may be that they do not want to use the same litterbox as the other kitten, or it may not be up to their 'cleanliness' standards, or they may not like the smell of the brand of litter you have. You may want to try a different brand of kitty litter and if they have an accident, put the fresh feces in the box where it should be, and physically show them how its done, take their leg and paw the litter and cover it for them. Most cats instictively want to cover their feces. Whatever you do, don't punish them near the box, or they will associate it with punishment which will just make your problem WORSE.
2006-06-25 15:31:56 · answer #2 · answered by Leigh 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
try puting food and water in a large box with the litter tray in it (box should be as big as a t.v. box etc) watch the cat for a while until it poops put the *stuff* in the litter box if the cat hasnt done it in the right place soon your cat will understand
you dont have to use this method you can let them have a normal litter box and if they go outside the litter box put the *stuff*
in and watch them
good luck!
2006-06-25 14:02:00 · answer #3 · answered by cher cuddly bear 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Catch the moment when they do it outside the box, pick them up and put them back n the litter box. You may have to do it a few times to correct the problem. Sometime cat don't like to share litter box.
2006-06-25 13:48:43 · answer #4 · answered by Timothy Summer 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all you need to eliminate the smell from the areas they are using to go to the bathroom. If it is carpet, scrub the area well with Lysol and carpet shampoo. Then place a plastic table cloth on top of that and your litter box on top of that.
When you see one or both squat down to go to the bathroom, you pick them up and put them in the litter box. If the kittens don't know what to do, you gently take their front paws and lightly scratch the cat litter. Once they learn where to go, and you clean their litter box, don't take all of their messes. Leave one of their urine and one of their feces in it, half buried. They will go back to where the litter box is and smell their pee and poop and know that there is where they need to do their buisness.
Each kitten learns differently. The process could take up to 4-7 days or more. Eventually they will get the hang of it.
I've had many kittens and cats in my life. I know all their tricks and most of their problems.
Good luck to you and I hope I was some what helpful! Cats are precious creactures to us humans. They make excellent companions and friends and give unconditional love to those who love them back.
2006-06-25 15:26:30 · answer #5 · answered by Lyndee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have had this problem with many cats and if you don't try to break them of this habit right away, they will end up "going" everywhere in your house. What you should do is when they go outside the box put their nose in it for maybe 30 seconds and then put them in the box so they know what they did was wrong. That always worked for me. Good luck with your little baby kitties:) Arent they just the cutest animals?
2006-06-25 13:58:06 · answer #6 · answered by stacianastacia 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
for most cats it's just instinct to know how to use the litter box but for some it isnt, for those types of cats I recommend holding them in the litter box until they get it right. thats what I had to do.
2006-06-25 14:03:59 · answer #7 · answered by holl-e 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
going to sound horrible but when the kitten goes to the bathroom right outside the box you will need to pick up the feces and put it in the box and then place the kitten in the box.
If you actually catch them in the act you will have to pick them up right in the middle of them doing their business and place them in the box to finish. Eventually they will get the message.
Don;t hit or yell at them they will just respond to the tone of your voice and you will accomplish nothing.
2006-06-25 13:46:58 · answer #8 · answered by gerilynn35 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is what I did: The poop outside the box, stick it in the box and leave it in there for the attraction. It really helped 4 me. Even my husband is a believer now. Good Luck.
2006-06-25 13:44:56 · answer #9 · answered by Sammy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
make sure they can get into the box by themselves. put a thick book next to the opening so they can get in, and if you move the box show them where it is so they can find it. my kittens did the same thing til i figured they couldn't get into the box. after i put the "step" next to the opening they used the litter box.
2006-06-25 15:00:06 · answer #10 · answered by bubble31 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋