My kitten can't seem to learn to use the litter box. What should I do?

Answer 1

Gently pick the kitten up - and place it in the litter box - take a front paw and stroke the litter - scratch it up

If that doesn't work - go to a pet store - I believe there are some drops to put in the litter - to let them 'know' that it's safe to go there

Answer 2

Most kittens are born with the instinct to use the litter box and will do it without training, but there is the occasional exception. If your kitten just won't use the box, maybe it's his way of telling you about a medical problem like a urinary tract infection. A trip to the veterinarian will ensure that your little guy is healthy and that he's resisting the litter box for some other reason. If your kitten has a clean bill of health, you can check to see if the box is appropriate for him. Young kittens may be too small to climb over the sides of a full-sized litter box easily. Using an old cake pan as a box may help. Also, since it's harder for kittens to move around, make sure there is at least one box on every floor of your house--ideally, you should have one in every room your kitty spends time in, until he gets a little older. Make a point of showing the kitten where the boxes are; set him right inside them so he can dig around in the litter. Often the texture of the litter itself will stimulate cats to relieve themselves in it. If you have the opportunity, you also could have your kitty spend some time with a (kitten-friendly) older cat in your home. Kittens can learn well from example.

Answer 3

Most cats are born with the inherent instinct of knowing how to use a litter box ... it isn't generally something they have to "learn," beyond its location.

The smell, consistency beneath their paws, and the clear ability to 'bury' something there should all be things that would entice a feline mind to do his/her business there. If a kitten is having trouble using it, he/she probably doesn't know where it is.

As has already been suggested, lift the kitten up, and actually put it in its box. You might go so far as to catch it when it's making droppings, but that might be a bit too much for some. ^^;

Also, if you're using particularly CHEAP litter, it might be a turn-off. It should smell "good" to your cat ... like real, loose, dry earth. If all else fails, you can get the drops -- kitties can't resist covering up the smell with their own. Once your kitten gets the idea in his/her head that the litter box exists at all, and is a permanent thing, it should easily be far more preferable to it than the floor, or your bed.

Answer 4

Like the others have said using the box comes naturally to most cats. Notice I said MOST. There are always the exception to the rule. I agree you should place kitty in the box several times a day (especially after she eats) and scratch her paws in the litter for her. If she immediately jumps out of the box just let her go, wait a while, and then try again. If you force her to stay in there it will stress her and make her dislike the box even more.

That being said. Where is your kitty going to the bathroom? Odds are she has one or two special places that she always goes to. Try moving her litter box to that place. I once had a cat that would not use the box. She always went under the kitchen table. So I moved the box there and she began to use it. I know this was not the most welcome place for a litter box but I left it there for a month. After that I was able to move the box to the location of my choice and kitty followed it.

If none of this works for your kitty you need to talk to her vet. They can rule out health problems being the cause of this and give you more advice on ways to teach your kitty to do the right thing. Good luck and enjoy your new friend!

Answer 5

Cats don't like there litter box to be in the same room as there fodd or water. first make sure the food and water bowls are in a seperate room then the litter box. Then when your cat uses the number two on the floor. (poops) Pick up the poop ( with gloves or a bag or rag) and put it in the litterbox. then get the cat and show it the litterbox. Also if your cat is using the bath room repeadedly on the floor at the same place, if you don't mind try moving the litterbox to there. :) If you have a dog if it's in the same room as the litterbox and uses the bathroom, or smells it alot, or eats out if it, that cat won't use it anymore untill it's moved and the dog stopps noticing the litterbox. Cat's like to be very private and un known, because there small all easiely taken on in the wild or outside they like to hide there (bathroom) so that other aniamsl can't find them. that's why outside cats dig a hole then cover ther bathroom bnack up alot of the time. :)
hope I helped any more questions you can e-mail me at [e-mail]

Answer 6

on a regular basis put the cat in the litter box and gently grab her paw and scratch the litter with it
also you can rub her tummy with a warm washcloth to stimulate her to go to the bathroom

....the scratching the litter tip has always worked for me
good luck

Answer 7

We have a 3 month old female kitten. What we did was every few hours was to put her in her litterbox. Cats will pick this up in time, and if she starts to urinate in other spots, call your veterinarian.

Answer 8

teach him