why do kittens poop on the floor when they know what a litter box is?

Question

My new kitten uses the litter box and knows where its located at all times, but she tends to poop all over the house in not so obvious places!

Answer 1

You have to train just like you were potty trained

Answer 2

My cat did the same thing. Just keep a close eye on your kitten, and anytime you see him/her sneaking off to do her business, pick her up real quickly and take her to the litter box. She will soon figure out that random pooping isn't ok and will stop. My cat did this for about 1 month when she was just a kitten. Haven't had any problems with her since and she is 4 years old now.

Answer 3

just in case:

DON't PUNISH Ur kitten!!
maybe U never would, maybe U already have - but cats do NOT "understand" -why- U yell at or smack them, it only makes them fearful, & can make them prone to bite or scratch the next time U try to pick them up for a cuddle:

since they cannot understand what made U hit/scare them, they don't know what to expect from U & anticipate another fright/hurt.
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as others have observed, cats don't like a dirty box; nor one that's too out-in-the-open & dangerous. they are very vulnerable in a litter box, & prefer that it not be in a noisy or high-traffic zone.

if Ur kitten is Less Than EIGHT Wks, s/he is too young; if the breeder will take her back, do so. even ONE week shy of that 56-day minimum is a blow to these babies; for a highly-social cat with other cats & people -both-, kitty should stay with mom/sibs till they're =12= wks - that's 3 mos - Old.

the extra time means that they learn to play nicely, share space, & accomodate each other, rather than going to a human-home at only 56 days, where they don't have to share ANYthing with another cat. cats are extremely territorial; that's why an extended stay w/ mom/sibs helps open them up to more sociability.
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if Ur kitten is very tiny, the walls of the box may be too tall for easy in-&-out; cut down a slot in one side, for a 'door'. U can buy another litter-box when s/he is a bit longer-legged & can easily get in/out.

if the house is Too Big, the baby needs a smaller space to be in whenever she's not supervised: pick ONE ROOM, put litter-box on one side, food/water on the other, with <==at least Eight Feet==> in-between: nobody wants to eat dinner in their bathroom!

then whenever U cannot be minding Ur kitty, put them INSIDE that room, close the door, & kitty can easily get to the box in time.

Don't be so critical!! this baby is just an infant; U were probably Two_years-Old! before U quit wearing diapers, & s/he's prob abt 2 mos! smaller space, clean box, room to eat AWAY from the box, & supervision outside "kitty's" room.

Patience! be gentle with Ur kitty, & give them time to grow up; cats are easily scared, & she may also have intestinal parasites or an irritable bowel from the change in food, from breastmilk to solid food at the breeder's & then a new food at Ur home.

Has Kitty been to the vet's yet? if not, go SOON - some vaccs, a stool-sample, & a healthy-kitty check are all good investment in Ur pet, who may be around for twenty yrs w/ good care.

Answer 4

Shes just a kitten! It takes time for them to get used to pooping in a litter box. Follow her around and when u thinks she isgoing to poop bring her to the litter box and put her in it. It may take a while but don't give up hope! :)

Answer 5

They must be trained, and the litter box bust be clean to your cat.

Or look the general caracteristic in places that your cat poop and put some like that in the litter box.

Answer 6

Maybe you are not cleaning the litter box often enough. They want a clean box to poop in.

Answer 7

Cat like to "do their business" in private. Move the litter box to a more quiet and dark area and clean it out at least twice a day.

Answer 8

Strange my kitten just knew right away. Make sure that the litter box is in a quiet, privet place. Some cats really like their privacy when they do their biz-nass.

Answer 9

well you have to train them to poop in the litter box so then they can get used to it and if it doesn't work then just keep on trying so then they and get used to them even though its a obvious place for you its just because your smarter then them.

Answer 10

She might think the litter box is just for peeing. If the litter box is not clean enough she won't use it. you can also try another type of litter.

Answer 11

Kittens won't go in a dirty box, either.

Try to put it in the box when it's hunching over to go. If you can't catch it in the act, try putting the poo in the box and then showing the kitten where it is.