Why does my 12 week old kitten use her litter box only 99% of the time?

Question

I first had trouble with her peeing and pooping on my couch, that stopped and then she started behind the couch, on rugs.... I have done everything possible to make her understand where she is supposed to use the bathroom. She goes in her box almost everyday, but has an accident just about every three days. I am about to give up and since she is a Himalayan, I spent alot of money on her. The vet gave her a clean bill of health, so worms is not the problem, litter is not the problem, location of the litter box is not the problem, the litter pan is not the problem, what is the problem and how can I stop it or should I just get rid of her? I can also add, I got her when she was 6 weeks old, she lacks social skills, like covering her litter and cleaning herself. Is she just ruined? I really need help.

The litter box isn't dirty, it's cleaned daily.

No kids don't use the litter box when babies, but cats do, it's common nature for a kitten to use litter, I am asking for help not smart cracks.

No kids don't use the toliet box when babies, but cats do, it's common nature for a kitten to use litter, I am asking for help not smart cracks.

I appreciate the in depth answer from fe-line trainer, so I would like to add, she has been in the bathroom room now for a week and has soiled my bathroom rugs, so I removed them, then she resorted to crapping where ever she pleases. It's not urine its feces. She has been checked for worms and it's negative. If she gets a dirty butt she doesn't even attempt to clean it, she doesn't cover her litter, she's a very dirty cat and it's becoming so overwhelming.

Answer 1

Hi Michelle...I hope I can provide some helpful suggestions to get your little Girl to improve her potty habits. Because the Yahoo Answers can limit the ability the learn as well as share all the necessary details to determine the problematic causes and to provide solutions I will try to assume any possibilities to consider likely reasons as well as some helpful retraining ideas.

My first concern would be if your vet checked for UTI (bladder infection) or just did a general exam: deworming and vaccinations. If not, consider having a urinalysis to be sure.

Next,it is best to isolate her into a small room with her litter box (food and water as well) until she consistently uses the box. Please don't fret by keeping her in this small room awhile longer (such as a bathroom). As long as you provide her food, water, fun toys and attention she will not become bored or neglected. The reason it's best to confine young kittens to a smaller area is that some kittens adopted at 6 weeks may need a little longer box training time since they didn't gain enough good potty habits at 6 weeks just yet.

While she is confined to the small room it's imperative to remove the urine odour stains with a urine neutralizer product such as Nature's Miracle (PetSmart or Petco). If any hint of the odour remains cats will continue to mark this area to cover it up repeatedly. Ideally these areas will need to be soaked deeply and thoroughly in order to remove all of the urine scent as animals can smell even the slightest lingering odours which humans cannot detect. This product is considered to be environmentally friendly and effective if used as instructed.

As a feline trainer I have found that any time a cat has an accident it is best to not scold or punish a cat in any manner. The reason is that they will associate that whenever they need to go potty they will be punished for the act that nature intended rather than understanding it is WHERE they are going potty that is bad. Cats are unable to separate these two ideas so it's best to quietly clean up the accident and reward the kitty with favourite food treats whenever you catch her using her litter box. This way she learns that the box is a fun place because she’ll be rewarded with yummy treats. This method can also be applied to train cats to scratch appropriate places versus bad places...whenever they scratch somewhere you do not want touched pick them up quietly and place them to the scratch post/toy and reward with food treats. It's a guaranteed method if done repeatedly while they are young.

As a very final resort some cats can benefit with antidepressants prescribed by your vet. However, at her young age I would suspect she needs more litter retraining.

Aside from the above suggestions there are also products such as Feliaway to help calm stressed felines, which sometimes may or may not work. Diet can also play a role, however at her age I don't believe this is likely just yet. These additional ideas however don't control the inappropriate soiling effectively as well as isolation into a small space and having a UTI exam. They are only supplemental in nature.

It's wonderful that you are trying to learn how to best resolve the inappropriate soiling early. I hope you will take into consideration some of the above suggestions.

Answer 2

First, please know that everyone here who has mentioned cleaning the litter is RIGHT. I've had cats that will not use the litter if it hasn't been scooped within 24 hours. They're really that "clean" oriented, some more than others (and with Hymalayan you will be thankful for that trait since the hair won't have "hang ons"). Also limiting the space in which she's housed when you're not home will help -- ie put the litter box in a room that can be closed with the kitty for a while. NOTE: if possible make this a room that you don't mind having litter in as the kitty will want consistency.

Six weeks old is not too old. When you're sitting with your kitten have a damp cloth handy and pet her with it. She may begin to lick herself naturally after that, but I wouldn't worry too much for several more weeks. I've adopted kittens who did not have a mother around and no family until 3 months, and they all adjusted with time and attention. Just be patient - with yourself too! You're learning as much as your kitten!

PS if you haven't gotten some already make sure to purchase the cleaners that remove the lingering inprint from mistakes from your floor and sofa. Most pet stores can advise you on products (I shop at foster & smith online for good prices and good products)

Answer 3

Make sure you keep the litter box clean often because a cat will not go in a DIRTY litter box. They like a clean potty too.

Answer 4

Spaying her might be the answer if you haven't had that done yet. I had a cat who went everywhere but her litterbox - I was in the same predicament as you, so I gave her away (she was a Persian). The girl I gave her to had her spayed and had no problems after that.

Also, if you're cleaning the litterbox with a cleaner that has ammonia in it, that may be why she's shying away from the box. She may associate the smell with another cat's "marking" and does not want to use the box as a result.

Answer 5

Put some catnip by the litter box if you cat likes catnip. But your kitten is still a kitten. So there would be problems. Maybe you just need to change it more often.

Answer 6

How much did you spend on this cat? I adopted two rescue kitties and have NEVER had any potty problems with either one of them. Maybe you should have considered adoption instead of wasting a lot of money on a cat that can't even use the litter box properly.

Answer 7

okay at 12 weeks she is still a kitten, accidents happen, try putting some odor control in the litter. you might try having her bottom hairs trimmed every couple of weeks there may be some pain involved with the litter box because of it sticking. please don't give up on her. she has a lot of years left.

Answer 8

Clean the litter box, or get a larger one, that will probably take care of your problem.

Answer 9

Is her litter box clean?
Is she afraid to go there for some other reason?

Answer 10

Like a human baby, she has to grow some. Their brains at 12 weeks just aren't that mature yet...give it some more time...Some kitties take a little longer than others to develop some skills, be patient and don't give up.