How do you litter box train a 3 month old kitten?

Question

For the person wondering why I waited so long to litter box train the kitties. I just got them. I rescued them from the streets....belive me would have LOVED to have gotten them sooner!

Answer 1

You will have to make a smaller box for the kitten to use. If the kitten goes somewhere else other than the box, pick it up and put the poop in the box and show the kitten as you do it. I trained 2 kittens that way.

Answer 2

Do not EVER rub their feet in the litter. Cats really resent forcing the to do anything. You just have to show them that the litter box really IS the best place to potty. At 3 months, he should be big enough to use most litter boxes, but one with low sides that is easy to get into would be best. Use a sandy litter with little fragrance if any. Sometimes fragrances can turn them off because they smell way too strong to a cat. Don't use a litter box liner, lots of cats don't like rubbing their feet ont he plastic. Put the box in a place that is easily accessable and show your cat where it is. Most cats will take to it right away, some need a little help. Anyplace outside of the box that your cat potties MUST be cleaned with an enzyme cleaner or a vinegar solution. If it smells like a toilet, your cat will use it as a toilet and regular cleaners do not get rid of the smell well enough that your cat can't smell it. At the pet store, there is a product called Cat Attract to get cats to come to the litter box. You might try that for a while and see if that helps.

Answer 3

Unless it is extremely persistent on going any where but the box, this should be easy. Make sure the box is in a place he/she can easily get too (no obstacles) and show it where it is. I usually put the cat directly in to a fresh box and walk away (some cats are very particular about the cleanliness of there litter box, if it is even kind a dirty they won't use it). This way he/she can find their way from and to the box. Cats naturally want to bury there business so it should be a problem and if you want to you can reward their good behavior with milk or tuna when they use the box.

Answer 4

Your cat does not simply need a litter box - she needs a clean litter box with fresh litter. Your cat will be inhibited from using her litter box if it smells of urine. Think about it from the cat's viewpoint. When she soils your dining room carpet, the area is immediately and thoroughly cleaned. Given the choice between a regularly cleaned place and a litter box that gets changed only once or twice a week, your cat will naturally prefer the carpet.
The litter box must be cleaned daily. The old litter must be discarded and replaced with about 1 1/2 inches of fresh litter. Rinse the litter box thoroughly with water. Adding a little vinegar or lemon juice to the water will help neutralize the odor of the cat's urine. Do not use ammonia; this will make the litter box smell worse.

Make sure that the litter box is in an appropriate place. Cats do not like to soil the areas close to their sleeping or eating areas, so place the litter box some distance away. However, do not place the litter box in an area that is too inaccessible. For example, if the litter box is placed in the bathroom, make sure the door cannot swing shut preventing the cat from getting to it. If the cat is new to your home, she may go into hiding for a few days so place a litter box close to her hiding place.

Some additional factor may be inhibiting your cat from using her litter box, so put down an extra one in a different location. If there is more than one cat in the house, have several litter boxes available.


Housetraining Success: Reward for Using the Litter Box
In order to reward your cat for eliminating in her litter box, you must be there at the time she eliminates. You need to have some idea of when your cat urinates and defecates. Most cats, especially kittens, will eliminate shortly after waking; after eating; and after exercise.
To help you predict when your cat will eliminate, feed her at regular times. If the input is on a regular schedule, the output will follow likewise. Before feeding your cat, spend ten to fifteen minutes playing with her. Then put down the food, allow her fifteen minutes to eat and then clear up any leftovers. After your cat has eaten, it is time for another gentle play session. Call her to her litter box from a variety of places around your house, especially areas where she has soiled. When your cat gets to the box, scratch the litter to get her interested. Similarly, throughout the day, whenever your cat has been asleep for over two hours, wake her up and call her to the litter box. Encourage your cat to hop into the litter box, praise her when she does so. Even if she does not eliminate, she is learning that the litter box is a great, CLEAN place to be. This is especially important for cats that are now avoiding the litter box because they assume it is always dirty or because they associate it with being punished. If your cat does eliminate, praise her in a gentle voice. Once she has finished, gently stroke her, give her a treat and take the time to tell her how pleased you are.

Answer 5

Big difference between what Bubbles said and the book on litter box training from Rosie... Cats are instinctive and will use a litter box because they can "cover up" their mess.

Answer 6

Why in the world did you wait for so long? A little while after he eats, take him to the box, put his bum down, help his paw scratch. Repeat, repeat, repeat. You have to be really consistent with this, they do eventually get the concept. If they don't cover well, take them back and show them. If they do business elsewhere, put their nose in it, take them to the box, and show them again. I honestly don't know what will happen with a kitten this late - I've only done it for many kittens at five to six weeks!

Answer 7

Put the kitten inside the litter box, instincts will take over.

Answer 8

Yikes, you've been given a LOT of info. I hope some of it's helpful, but in most cases, you won't need to take all of those measures.

And I don't see how a cat can really "resent" a human for something. This is assuming they feel normal human emotions. Which I doubt. Any "resentment" will be forgotten when she starts using the box on her own.


Basically, keep it small, keep it clean, and put her in it every hour. Take her feet and show her how to dig in it. They catch on pretty quick:)

Answer 9

Kittens copy their mom, so it would behoove you to use the litter box yourself. Make sure the kitty is present when you go.




yes...I'm joking

Answer 10

you take them to the litterl box every hour and rub thier front and back legs in the litter then u set them in the box untill they sure it and u do it for about a week then they will start doing it on thier own :)