What is the appropriate age for kittens to start learning to use a litter box?

Question

I have 3 two-wk old stray kittens that I am bottle feeding, stimuating to go potty, etc., although they are starting to go on their own this week as well. I know they are way too young now but at what point should I introduce them to the litterbox?

also, their feces are not exactly solid, sort of semi solid but runny and yellow. Is this normal?

Answer 1

You can introduce them to solid food at 3 weeks, you may need to keep up the bottle feeding though until they eat alone. Start with some milk in a saucer and see if they will lap it up. If they will, then start giving them some canned kitten food, you may need to make it mushy with a bit of water or the kitten milk to make it easier to eat. (I know you didn't ask this but thought it might be useful) They will still need to eat several times a day at this age.

Start them going in the litter box now, use a shallow tray with around 1/2" litter to begin with. Take their paw in your hand and show them how to dig, stimulate them, when they have done their business, take their paw and show them how to cover it over with the litter. They should be starting to go alone soon anyway. My Siamese had all of her litters trained by three weeks.

Good luck, I hope this helps.

Answer 2

I would recommend you keep the litterbox around pretty much as soon as the kittens are starting to wean off of the bottle, and from that point, they should figure it out pretty easily on their own. Cats are very tidy creatures, and they preffer to keep their messes hidden, which means burying it. That's not to say there aren't exceptions, but most cats take to the litterbox with no problems, as long as it's easily accessed.

As far as their feces, I wouldn't worry about that. It's been a long time since I've had baby kittens around, and I don't entirely remember what their poops looked like, but as long as they change while the kittens get older, it should be fine. And so long as all the kittens' excrements look basically the same, I would consider that a good sign, as well.

Answer 3

First, please be conscious of that each and every physique right here who has stated cleansing the clutter is physically powerful. i've got had cats that may not use the clutter if it hasn't been scooped interior of 24 hours. they're somewhat that "sparkling" orientated, some greater advantageous than others (and with Hymalayan you would be pleased approximately that trait because of the fact the hair won't have "carry ons"). additionally proscribing the area wherein she's housed once you at the instant are not domicile will help -- ie positioned the clutter field in a room which would be closed with the kitty for a whilst. notice: if conceivable make this a room which you do no longer strategies having clutter in because of the fact the kitty will decide on consistency. Six weeks old isn't too old. once you're sitting with your kitten have a moist textile attainable and puppy her with it. She would start to lick herself needless to say after that, yet i does no longer situation too lots for countless greater weeks. i've got accompanied kittens who did no longer have a mom around and no kin until eventually 3 months, and that all of them adjusted with time and interest. basically wait and notice - with your self too! you're discovering up on your kitten! playstation in case you haven't any longer gotten some already be helpful to purchase the cleaners that get rid of the lingering inprint from errors out of your floor and settee. maximum puppy shops can propose you on products (I shop at foster & smith online for solid costs and robust products)

Answer 4

Yeah, right about the time they start eating "food", if you set them in the box, they'll figure it out. Since they don't have a mom to teach them, expect some accidents, but deodorize them ASAP, or they will return to the same spots. It will take a week or two longer than if they had a mom to show them. Two weeks is really tiny, if they were still with mom, she would be cleaning them up. Their eyes are barely open and they cry almost the whole time they are awake. You gotta be feeling like you have a newborn baby in the house. Not getting much sleep, are ya?

Answer 5

When they start to walk around on their own. Get a pan with short sides so they can get in by themselves. A 13X9 inch baking dish works great. You know, like you cook brownies in. Get a few of them, little bladders and little legs can't make it across the house sometimes.
Start putting them into the box now when they are done eating. If they go great if not, keep working at it.
Keep in mind it won't "kick in" until around 8 weeks. Until then, expect accidents.

Answer 6

OK, two quesitons in one ok?

1)Yes, their fecies is going to be somewhat liquid since they're still on a liquid diet.

2)Cats are normally very clean- you could in theory start exposing them to the litter box around 5 to 6 weeks once their eyes open so they can see. You may have to teach them how to dig and bury their poo, however

Interestingly enough, cats know how to play with their food but their mothers have to teach them how to kill! Now theres some trivia you normally don't know!

Good Luck and pet the critters for me ok?

Answer 7

you can put their little poops in a box now, use a coke tray, they are cardboard and have very low sides, then put them in it a few times a day and then make digging motions with their paws, they wont get it right away but hopefully soon. good luck

Answer 8

2 months is appropriate enough. Make sure the littler box is always cleaned, otherwise some kittens won't use it.

Answer 9

my kittens were potty trained as soon as they started walking by the mom cat.!!! you should set it next to them immediately

Answer 10

Their faeces will turn solid once they once they start eating solid foods.