cat wont use litter box... NEED SERIOUS HELP OR KITTENS WILL BE GONE =(?

Question

I have two kittens, the only ones my mom would let me keep of the litter. And for some reason, they REFUSE to use the litter box. And they're inside cats. So, needless to say my mom is very angry. And it's at the point where she is threatening to take them away too. SO please, can someone tell me how to get these cute creatures to save their fate and learn to use the litter box? Please. I love these kittens.

Answer 1

what are their ages? what kind of litter do you use? where did the kittens come from?

ok you have to keep young kittens in a small room with their box.. in a house a small kitten cannot find its way to the box all the time...

non scented litter is ALWAYS best.. fine grinds are prefered also.. the more sand-like the better.. and it must be clean (some cats HATE lids, others like them..)
rule of thumb is you should have 1 litter box PER cat.. ideally with 1 extra box

farm kittens have more problems with using the litter box

OTHER TIPS... better food = less poop
if these guys are older kittens are they spayed or neutered?? have they been checked for medical reasons for failure to use the box? are they of a breed known to have litter problems (manx)? is there another adult cat hogging the box? is the box in a scary place like next to the laundry machine?

Answer 2

How old are the kittens and where is their mother? If the kittens were taken away from the momma cat at too early an age, they haven't had a chance to be taught by her. Kittens need to be with the momma until they are 12 weeks old. I know, I know, many people bring home kittens at 6 or 8 weeks, but 12 weeks is optimal. It gives the kittens a chance to learn everything that the momma can teach them.
I guess all you can do for now is confine the cats to the room with their litter box. Keep the litterbox immaculately clean, as cats have very sensitive noses. Every time they use the box, praise them with words and ear scratches. If they don't use the box, DO NOT yell at them or hit them. This will only cause them to become afraid of you.
There is also a cat litter called Cat Attract. Something in it encourages the cats to use the litter box.
Good luck.

Answer 3

The litter box should be in a quiet place and away from the feeding bowls. Make sure the litter is clean and use quality litter (I use granulated litter). If you are using a covered litter box, get rid of the cover as it tends to allow the build-up of odor and cats often find it claustrophobic. Also, make sure that the cats can get into the box quite easily - if the sides are too high, kittens often have difficulty getting into the box.
You might want to try putting the cats into the litter box, so they know it's there for them.
If the cats have `an accident', DO NOT rub their noses in it and NEVER, EVER hit a cat; it serves no useful purpose whatsoever.
Cats tend to be clean, and with a little patience and training, they will use the litterbox.

Answer 4

I had to litter train all 4 of our kittens. When they go outside the box, pick up the poop and place it in the litter box. Place the kitten in the box with it and put their nose by it so they know it's there. Then take their paw and scratch the litter like they do normally and cover it up. It worked wonderfully with all 4 of our kittens. I only had to do this a couple times for them to get the hang of it.

Answer 5

First, you need a cat box for each cat. Second, keep the odor level in the box down, cats don't like stinky toilets either. Third, do not scold the kitten for not using the box, just carry it and the stool to the box and put them both into the box.

If you use covered litter boxes spray the inside of the box with odorxit magic once or twice a month

If you use scoopable litter, keep the clumps scooped out.

Answer 6

You have to 'train' them to use the box they're just like little kids and forget things quickly. Put them in the box frequently so they get used to where it is, cats prefer to go in the box over going on the carpet. Make sure it's easy for them to get over the sides....and we had a cat that didn't like the big rocky cat litter....she never went outside the box since we got the soft clumping litter.

Answer 7

when they go "potty" outside the box put them in the box immediately. this is really gross so try not to gag, if the kittens poop outside the box use a plastic bag to pick up the poop and put it inside the box. place kitten in the box so he can associate the 2 things. sometimes it's just that they don't like a certain type of litter. you may want to change brand of litter first, it sounds less messy. good luck and i hope you get to keep your kitties.

Answer 8

firstly, put a tiny bit of ammonia on the floor/carpet where your kittens have gone to do their business.
this will take away their scent from the spot, and they wont feel like thats the "right" place to do it.
Secondly, are you keeping their litter tray near their food?
if you are, you need to MOVE IT, they will not go to the toilet near their food.
Please, spend time training your kittens, they wont learn all by themselves.
Keep track of the times you feed your kittens and also when they drink, you will find a pattern in theor toilet times. When you know tis toilet time, sit them near the litter tray.
Never EVER rub their nose in it. It doesnt help.
And also make sure the litter is deep enough for them to scratch around in, and keep it clean at all times and remove little poo's they do in there.

Answer 9

When I first got my cat he wouldn't use the litter box either, so I obviously knew where he was using the bathroom & I put his litter box there. Never again did he mess up my floors he just wanted it where he wanted it.

Answer 10

Keep placing your kittens in the litter box..eventually they will understand that is where they need to be.