How do u train a 3 month old kitten to use the litter box, and to use a scratiching post?

Question

Also I read they have to stay in a warm environment is that true? And how do I train it to sleep in it's box.

Answer 1

If you place the kitten in the litter box & leave it in there, it will most likely remember where it is & go back on its own. I have a blind kitten, I put her in there once & she found her way back with no problem. It should scratch on the scratching post on her own, all of this is a natural instinct of cats.

I don't know how you would train it to sleep in a specific place, cats are pretty independent creatures & will choose their own favorite place to sleep. But try putting a blanket or towel in a box & put the kitten in there, it might decide it likes to curl up in there.

Answer 2

Litter training is usually very easy. Take a sample of what the breeder is currently using (so she is used to it) and swap it over later. They should already be litter trained by the time they come home.
I can't say how to make them use a scratching pole. Using a water bottle (to squirt) and a few weeks should do the trick. I haven't been very successful when it comes to making my cats use the scratching pole so I don't have any advice on that =P
They usually won't stay in a box. My cats have free access to the house and they sleep in all different places. My three kittens all generally sleep together on the floor, behind the sofa. They've torn a massive hole in the curtain so it droops and they sleep on that. I would say just put her in the bed you have for her, if she wants to sleep there, let her, if not, just let her sleep where she wants.
They do well in all climates. If you're getting a domestic [short/medium/long] haired cat, I would suggest a short/medium haired. My 9 month old cat is supposed to be short haired but her fur is approx. an inch and a half long so I would say get a short haired because it will most likely grow a bit longer than a purebred cat (sorry if that confused you!). So, they don't do too bad in either environment. It's good to have a window open (only a little bit so she doesn't jump out) or a fan on in the warm weather, and have a heater on during the cold weather. They will feel better.

Answer 3

Let me share with you what I've learned over the years training cats for rehoming. At three months the cat can easily learn the three basic things - using the litter box, using the scratching post and sleeping in a designated place. The kitty is new to the environment so I would confine him to one room ( the bathroom will do). In the bathroom, put the litter box, scratch pad or post, his bed (the sides shouldn't be too high, so he can get in and out easily.) and his food and water and some toys. Show the cat how to use the litter box by putting him in the box and mimicing what he's to do there. Next mimic scratching on the scratch pad or post. (I find rubber tiles are easier and cheaper and cats seem to like them more). Be sure to visit him frequently during this time and praise him if he has used his potty.
If he has missed, put the poop in the litter so he knows next time. When he has shown that he can do everything right, expand the area. You might put him in the kitchen. Be sure he's doing everything right before you let him run around all over the house. This will take two or three days. Once the cat has a run of the house, be sure you put scratch pads or posts in every room so there's always one available when he gets the urge. Please do not hit him or yell at him if he scratches somewhere else. He'll just learn to be scared of you. Say 'no' firmly, pick him up and put him on the scratch pad. He'll get the point.
Cats do not scratch to annoy you. It's essential to their well being. It's a way of getting rid of dead tissue around the nails and stretching his muscles. Relieveing frustration is also an important function. To prevent any puncture wounds when playing with him, get a pair of ordinary nail clippers and clip off only the very sharp tip of the claws, (You can get istructions from the internet) There's no need for the amputation commonly called declawing. It's outlawed in many parts of the world as inhumane.
Some people have said it's too hard to train a cat to use a scratching post but that's not true. Cat's are very smart and will learn because they too want to please the one who brings them the food.
As for the bed, once he's gotten used to the box, you can move it a few feet at a time until you have it where you want it.

Answer 4

Well, I've never had any litter box problems with my cats. Most cats are taught this by their mothers. If your kitten was separated from its mother too young, this could explain the problem. There are already good suggestions on how to handle this problem.

Cats will sleep where they want. I have purchased beds, pillows, etc., that they don't use. There is really nothing you can do to "make" your cat sleep in a box.

The scratching post question is my favorite though. I have 3 cats all with claws and no problems. They have cat furniture that they use instead. Some tips for influencing this behavior:

1. Some cats like to scratch vertically and others horizontally. Some prefer surfaces like carpet and some prefer harder surfaces (for example cardboard or rope). There are a variety of products available. Try a few until you discover your cat's preference.

2. If your cat scratches vertically (standing up) make sure the post is tall enough to accommodate the cat's height in this position.

3. As mentioned in other posts, rubbing some catnip on the post may help as well.

4. If you catch the cat scratching something inappropriate, sternly say, "no"...and then move the cat to its post and place its paws on the appropriate surface.

5. You can also try rewarding use of the appropriate surface by giving kitty a treat when the post is used.

Answer 5

Well...as far as sleeping in its box...cats aren't tiny little dogs, Hon. They pretty much sleep wherever they feel like, and no amount of pressure from you is going to change that! The kitten may eventually decide to sleep in the box on its own, but most cats prefer elevated sleeping arrangements, like a bed or cat perch.
Of course kittens need a nice warm environment, but no warmer than what you are comfortable with. Whatever temperature you find your home comfortable at, your kitten will too.
If you kitten isn't using its litter box, it needs retraining, which isn't as difficult as it sounds. It needs to be kept in a confined space, like a small bedroom or bathroom, with its litter box, food and water, and a place to sleep. Cats are the cleanest of animals, and it will be reluctant to soil outside its box if it can't walk far away from it. And you need to do your part by keeping the litterbox scrupulously clean...cats hate dirty boxes. If all this fails, your kitten may have a urinary tract infection and will need a vet check.
To get your kitten to scratch on its post, try taking its little paws in your hands and make scratching motions on the post. It's also a great help to rub a little catnip on the post! That way, it will return to the post again and again.
Hope this helps, and good luck :)

Answer 6

Cats sleep whereever they want. As far as litter box, most are trained by their mothers. They have a natural instinct to cover their poo. If yours doesn't, keep him in a small room with a litter box, water and food until he uses the litter box consistantly.

I have never had good luck with scratching posts. Put one in with him and see if you have luck. You can keep a squirt bottle handy for when they use something you don't want them scratching.

My cats sleep with me most of the time, but sometimes they sleep in the window or on the sofa. Sometimes they like the rug in the bathroom by the heat register.

You can get plastic things to go over the nails.

Answer 7

At three months it should already know how to use the litter box. If not, after it eats a bit, put it in the box and let it smell around. I think nature kicks in quickly. Since they are so independant, getting it to stay in a box, or use a scratching post would be difficult. Best of luck to you.

Answer 8

Cats are known to be very dependent, so teaching them stuff is really hard... but what you can do is to put the litter box in a place where it likes to go and hide/hang out/goes to the bathroom in the house/or sleeps, then it will get the point, but for the scratching post, if you find anything about that tell me cause i have had no luck with that at all.... but if you have any thought about getting it declawed then you should do that ASAP because if you wait to long, you won't be able to do it at all.

Answer 9

the kitten is best shown the litter box by just picking him up putting him in it and taking his two front paws in your hand and sort of digging in it , that is all i have ever needed to do, you may have to show the cat where the box is a few times but that is it.
the scratching post same thing put the paws on there and mimic what he should do. as for warmth well don't put a kitten out in the winter, room temp is fine but they will find comfy places to sleep put a blanket or towel in the bed too.

Answer 10

As far as the cat box goes buy good litter and put the cat in it. It has something in it that makes them want to go in it! And try putting cat nip on the scratch post they like the smell of it!! But cats will pretty much sleep where they feel comfortable. Good luck!!