My kitten plays in her litter box, how do i stop this so she will use it correctly?

Question

We saved 3 kittens and we're trying to get rid of the last one.. but we may keep it instead. We got her a litter box but every time I place her in there, she only plays in it.

Answer 1

Never punish her for doing anything in the litter box. You want her to know it's a GOOD thing. Get a covered box to keep litter off the floors and let her go. She knows what it's for. Some kitties just like playing there too. Good luck!

Answer 2

He's trying to nurse when he bites you, and he's crying because he's hungry and quite possibly starving to death. Four weeks is way too young to be away from his mother, so he's just wondering where she's at and why she's no longer there to comfort, feed, and clean him. You need to get a cat bottle (or an eye dropper will do in a pinch, just don't "squirt" the milk in fast or he'll choke) and some cat milk (available at any grocery store in the cat food aisle). If you don't have a way to the store or cannot afford the cat milk, regular milk will do if you water it down a little tiny bit. Poor guy, he's just hungry and scared. Please try these things (and don't be "tapping him on the nose" and saying "no" because he's not playing rough, he's hungry and trying to find food!!! You wouldn't punish a baby for crying because it's hungry or trying to suckle from you, right??). I don't understand why all these people are giving away/selling such small kittens! You're the second person in like 10 minutes who's had the same exact problems with a kitten that shouldn't even be away from it's mother yet! He's just like a little baby who not being fed that's why he's crying! Fed him as described above and by the other concerned answerers who described bottle feeding (he's too young for food and probably doesn't even know what the food is), and just give him love - he's HUNGRY and SCARED! Good luck to you - I know you'll do the right thing!!!

Answer 3

Is she playing or digging?? Does she go in the litter box? If not take some of the droppings and place them in the box. Utilize the giving treat method when she does use the box correctly.

You may need to watch her for a bit and if she starts to go in the wrong place quickly say no, pick her up and place her in the correct area. Then give a treat when she does it correctly.

Answer 4

As long as she's using it to do her "business", then let her play in there...I've seen many kittens do it, and they outgrew it when it got boring. She'll soon find something more interesting to do, and all will be well.

If she's not using it, and pooping somewhere else, try this.....wait until she poops where she's NOT supposed to, and scold her (make sure she knows what she's being scolded for, and NEVER hit her....just use a firm voice...she'll get the idea) then pick up the poop and put it in the litter pan....let her examine it, and gently tell her that this is where its supposed to go...she may not understand your words, but she'll know by the tone in your voice what you mean.

Answer 5

All cats do this to a point. Rabbits will sit in there and eat at the litter! And rabbits litter train easiest of any house animal.

I would put some cat urine and feces from your other cats in there. Just to be sure she knows

Answer 6

well, I don't know much about cats, but I DO know that with children....playing is learning. it is suggested when potty training a child to allow them to play with their potty seat and immitate going to the bathroom and so on and so forth. I would imagine that would apply to a cat as well. I believe "covering up" their mess is an inborn instinct in a cat, so I'm sure she'll start using it properly the older she gets.

Answer 7

put the box outside

Answer 8

try giving him/her a good hit or make it smell bad there to avoid

Answer 9

My cat does too.

Answer 10

whenever it starts playin, just hit it, not slap but jab.its what Pa used to do.