How do I litter train my stubborn kittens?

Question

My very young cat had 2 kittens. They are almost 2 months old and are pooping and peeing wherever they feel like it. I tried giving them a litter box but they ignore it. Their mother goes into the basement to use the litter boxes down there. The kittens don't see their mother down there because they don't even know there is a basement. They can't copy what they don't see. I have a baby who is crawling so this is very stressful to be constantly cleaning my floors! Because of the baby I can't open the basement door and let the kittens follow mommy. The cat has to use the cat-door. I've tried everything but putting the kittens down there. I can't lock all the cats in the basement, I have too many. But unless I do that the mother will just come back upstairs and the kittens will follow. It is so tough to have untrained kittens to train and have a crawling baby to teach how to walk at the same time! What do I do??????

I hate it when people point fingers. I have had cats all my life and I treat them like babies. We wanted this cat to have a litter and the kittens had wonderful homes before they were born! We are doing things correctly. There was a litter box with the mother from day one. The mother and kittens were together in the same room, but the mother refused to use the litter box. We let the mother out for a very short time once a day until the babies were walking and running around. The kittens are stubborn. They have been to the vet and are vaccinated. I am not going to spay the mother because we are going to have another litter. This litter was very small and we have loving homes for more babies. I live in a very rural area in northern Maine and there are not very many shelters where you can get this type of can as a baby! I am sorry I posted this question. It must make me look irrisponsible or something. Trust me, I did do things right from the start. And I continue to.

Answer 1

Wow, that is pretty unprecedented - the only thing I can think of is to put a litterbox on the main florr where the kittens usually stay. I used to do volunteer work with Friends of Felines for years and literally hundreds of kittens until they were adopted. The most I ever had to do was put a piece of cat poop in the litterbox and put the kittens in there.

The only other is that the kittens might be sick - sick cats are notorious for NOT going in the litterbox.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

I don't actually see a problem with denning them up in the basement during the day. But if you really don't want to, here are some things I did when I fostered cats and had crawlers: Put a baby gate across the pantry door and have small kittens use the bottom area as their den. A closet works, too. Once they are big enough to climb out--and at 8 weeks, I'm sure they are--put the litter box on top of the dryer in the laundry room, and keep their water/food dishes up there, too. It will keep the baby from mistaking Kitty-os for cereal, and it the kittens hop up there to drink they are going to be very aware of the box's location. The previous answerer had it right when she suggested putting a "sample" in there. Ideally this would have happened before they developed these bad habits, but don't give up.

Answer 3

Kittens can start using the litter box anytime after 4 weeks. If the mother cat uses a large box, you may want to use a slightly smaller container for the kittens. Be sure to place the kittens in the box after each meal and take the kittens' paws and rub them in the litter using a scratching motion. This will get them on the road to becoming socially mannered kittens.
Place the kitten in the box 1/2 hour after play or meals.
Stimulate interest in the litter by stirring it.
Let the kitten jump in and out of the litter box instead of restraining him.
Place some stool in the litter box (builds associations between litter box and bathroom needs).
Use a litter with pellets as these mask the wet feel.

Answer 4

CONFINE THE KITTENS to a small room with a litter box that is easy to access. At 2 months old, they don't need to be around their mother, at least until you get them to use the litter box. Just put them one at a time in the litter box and walk away so they know where it is. Leave them in this room. Don't rub their feet in it, they will not like that. If they don't use it, put their poo in the box and then put them in the box with it so they can see it. Most cats learn it pretty fast. There is also a product at the pet store called Cat Attract to help lure them to the litter box. Good luck.
Also remember, most cats like a sandy litter better than a clay litter, no plastic litter pan liner and an uncovered box. Once they get it, they may not care, but for now, I'd recommend sticking with the stuff most cats like.

Answer 5

I would say that they probably are uncomfortable in going through a cat door. You should try putting a littler box upstairs. Try to find a room or closet that you can block off with a baby gate.If they have an accident put the poop in the litter box and stick them in it. I have never had a problem with training a cat they usually pick it pretty fast even kittens. Once they get comfortable with the box it shouldn't be to hard to move.

Answer 6

the kittens and their mom should have had a litter box in the room wiht them from the time they were old enough to walk - the mom shouldnt have even been allowed out of the room.

you will have to confine the kittens to a small room with the litter box and their mom - a bath room or bed room will do.. you certainly cannot give these kittens away becuase a new owner will not tollerate this behavior

the mom cat should be spayed - for her own healh sake - plus if you have a kid you need to make sure mom cat isnt allowed outside at all - spay her asap

so in short you have to back up and do things properly from the start -

a general rule of thumb concerning litter boxes is you should have one per cat (and ideally one extra) preferably in at least 2 locations in your home
so for you this means 3-4 litter boxes, 2 upstairs, and 2 in basement

Answer 7

My suggestion is to confine the mother cat and kittens with the litter box and their other necessities in a small, preferably uncarpeted room for a few days. That way, they'll learn by imitation, and your baby won't be in contact with the litter box.

Your young cat is probably like a very young human mother, not as good at training her offspring as she'd be later in life. What you're doing here is putting her in a position where she can't help doing some training by example.

Answer 8

Do this. Either take a piece of the kitten's poop that you find, or take a piece of mommy's poop and stick it in a litterbox upstairs where the kittens have easy access (I'd also put a small clump of pee in there too). Take each kitten and put it in the litterbox. It will smell the poop and figure it out. Trust me. I've raised two kittens and this method worked wonders on both. Good luck!

Answer 9

verify the field facets are not too extreme for the kitten to get in. The mom could practice them,yet great deep bins could make that confusing. in case you think of that is too extreme, get a decrease sided field or maybe use a rummage sale cookie pan.

Answer 10

Pick up their poo, and put it in the litter box...then put them in the
litter box, take their paws and due a digging motion with them in the litter....they will figure it out honest..