I have a 7 week old male unsterilized male kitten, every time he uses the litter box, he does his usual stuff, but then doesn't cover it up. Why is this? Will he do it when he gets older? Or will he do this as an adult?
2007-03-06 01:15:01 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
I just bought him from the animal shelter a few days ago. The problem is that I use an enclosed litter box.
2007-03-06 02:36:41 · update #1
Kittens usually learn this from their mom - at around 10 weeks of age. Since yours has already been taken from his mom (if I'm reading you correctly), you can only hope that he figures it out himself. You can try to teach him by burying his business yourself when he's watching, but there are no guarantees.
Is there any way to return him to his mom for a while (if he hasn't been away from her for too long yet)? Kittens (and puppies) should NEVER be taken from their mother before 8 weeks - and ideally stay for 10 to 12 weeks. Of course, if he was a stray or something, you can't do that...
I agree with the others that you should get him neutered asap - that will curb his urge to mark his territory, and *might* make him more willing to cover.
If you feed him a high-quality wet food (e.g. Merrick, Nutro Natural choice, California Natural...), his "output" will not smell all that bad, so even if he never learns, it wouldn't be too bad.
2007-03-06 01:49:03 · answer #1 · answered by Ms. S 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just be glad that he is using the box. This is still pretty young. Most cats will learn to scratch, but he may never cover it up. My male cat that I adopted scratches before and after he does his business, but his little sister NEVER covers her's up. It is wild. If the litter box is enclosed, then I really wouldn't worry about it too much. Just be thankful that he is not using the floor.
2007-03-06 20:58:03 · answer #2 · answered by cathy c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Our kitten had this same problem since she didn't spend enough time with her mother. Kittens have to learn proper toilet etiquette from their moms. Like a poster above said, we had to teach her to cover her business. We didn't grab her paws, but we'd go in while she was still in there and cover it up in front of her eyes. She learned pretty quickly (we showed her maybe three or four times) and now she covers it up every time.
Now if only she would learn that the coffee table is not her personal bed.
2007-03-06 09:31:08 · answer #3 · answered by mikah_smiles 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
serious some don't because they never learned to mimic mom. I've seen owners that when they saw the kitten head for the box they followed. After the kitten did its business catch it quick and set it into position and use its little paw to show it what is expected. After very few lessons it will do it routine. I"M SERIOUS!
2007-03-06 09:26:16 · answer #4 · answered by dude_port 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Not all cats cover... I have 4 and not one will cover every time... Is the kitten still with it's mother?? If not that might be a big reason for it... he did not have enough time with mom to learn all that he needed to know.
2007-03-06 09:19:37 · answer #5 · answered by debcat76135 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He might or he might not. Vets usually only neuter cats at around 5-6 months old (when the testicles descend). You will want to do that or it is very likely that he will start spraying.
2007-03-06 09:19:39 · answer #6 · answered by KathyS 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if this is the only cat that you have you might need to show him how to cover it up , use the cat litter scooper to do this. cats learn from other cats just like kids learn from there parents.he might start to cover it once he gets older but do you want to wait to see?
2007-03-06 15:27:44 · answer #7 · answered by leather_2000_27203 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First get him nutered now, to prevent spraying and agression as he matures.\
I have had this problem with a few kittens in my time, and they all outgrow it with time.
2007-03-06 09:21:05 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋