I just brought home a 2 month old kitten and I'm having the worst time getting her to use the litter box. I've shown her where it is, put her inside it and showed her to scratch at it, and I've even picked up the poop off the floor and stuck it in there. But nothing seems to work. She just squats and goes where ever she is at. Anyone have any ideas?
2006-07-17 13:44:49 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
With cats that have this problem you must confine them to a specific area and leave the box with them. Insure they have something to climb on, food and water and toys to keep them occupied. In the mean time go to your local pet store and purchase a solution for ridding the areas she has soiled of the smell. Slowly release her back to the full range of the house. She may also not like the litter you are supplying her/ Buy the cheapy and slowly introduce what you want to use.
2006-07-17 13:54:25 · answer #1 · answered by oilmom1 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
She is a baby - babies cannot hold thier bladder like adults. You need to keep her in one room until she is a little older. Her box, food and all toys should be in that room (if it is a bathroom - be careful to close the toilet lid so she doesn't drown). This single room helps solidify good litter box habits...a huge house with one box is too much - she is like a kid - if she is having fun and has to walk all the way through the house to pee/poop - it is just easier to go on the rug!
When she is closer to four months old - then she can have run of the house - and then only when you are home/awake - otherwise she goes to her safe room until she is old enough to be trusted. Think of her as a baby that need "diapers" - the safe room is her "diaper".
STOP putting her in the box and making her scratch. This will only teach her that the litter box is a negative experience and that she does not want to be in there. PUNISHING WILL NOT WORK.
They have the natural desire to seek this material out, and do not need to be shown how to use it. Use UNSCENTED scoopable litter. Scoop everyday. I would use an UNCOVERED litter box that has a small enough lip that she can easily get into it. Once she comes out of her room - she will need to have another litter box added in the home (and if you have other cats, there should be one more litter box than the number of cats!) When she gets older - she may need a bigger box - get a deep plastic sweater container - big enough to turn around, yet tall enough to keep the litter from getting kicked out...
If you have a multi-level house, there should be litter boxes on every level (think about it - if you have to go and you are upstairs and have to walk all the way down to the basement...) or if you have a long house - have one on either side.
Use an ENZYME cleaner to clean the messes - if you use regular carpet cleaner she can still smell it!! Use a black light to find any missed spots. Isolating her is the most important thing!!!!!!!! Do not let this go on - it will become a learned habit. Then get her spayed at 5 months old - not spaying will also contribute to the problem.
Do not listen to much of the crap these other people are telling you to do...
Please see these articles; they are great:
2006-07-17 13:50:54 · answer #2 · answered by dvm2b 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You'll probably have to teach her like you would a dog. Just keep catching her do her business and put her in the box. You might consider getting a different kitten since most kittens are taught by their mommas and will never do their business anywhere but. If you do decide to try to teach her remember to clean up any messes really well, because if she can smell it she will keep using the same placed on the floor. Also you might try moving the liter box to another location as the cat just might not like where you have located it. You might even need to try a different kind of liter.
2006-07-17 13:53:19 · answer #3 · answered by Meg 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I just got a kitty yesterday and he is a month and a Half old and he Has yet to mess in the floor. Maybe you should try putting the litter box close to its food dish. They Tend to have to go after they eat good luck :)
2006-07-17 13:50:34 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have patience.. IT WILL learn.... As for the litter box.. make sure that it is small enough.. that is.. not too high.. so it can EASILY get into the box.. and since it is 2 months old.. I am assuming that the litter box is large enough....
2006-07-17 14:04:05 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
try to catch her in the act this is only way this works when you do tell her NO! and put her in the box she will get idea also when ever you go into bathroom take her with and put her in box my cats having prombs also but she's 18 and this is what my vet told me today good luck :-)
2006-07-17 13:49:53 · answer #6 · answered by Leveler 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you're home, every 15 minutes, take her to the litter box. This will help her remember where it is. Sometimes, they just can't find it!
2006-07-17 14:42:17 · answer #7 · answered by sundragonjess 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
some cats dont get it so to me they need to be out door cats
2006-07-17 13:48:07 · answer #8 · answered by cris 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you are doing everything correctly.....give the cat more time.
2006-07-17 14:51:22 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋