How do I litter box train this 4-week-old kitten?

Question

I have adopted this orphaned kitten, who had been living outside in the rain in a box. When I got her 5 days ago, she was starving and she didn't even know how to walk because she had never been outside the tiny box. We are now bottle-feeding her, and she is starting to eat out of a dish, and we have gotten rid of her fleas. My question is concerning how to get her to start using a litter box. She spends quite a bit of time under the couch, so I am thinking she might be using my carpet as a toilet. I put her in the litter box all the time. I show her how to use her little paws to dig ("Look how much fun digging is!"), but she just isn't getting the hint so far. In fact, she usually gets litter in her eyes and then I have to hold her paws and rinse out her eyes, which is no fun for either of us. Does anyone have any tips on how to potty train a kitten this young? Do I just keep putting her in there after she eats and every hour or so? Thanks!

We have landing! Ok, I finally just put her in the litter box and she just went IMMEDIATELY, which I was so happy about! Then later, I put her in and she wouldn't go, but I just stood there and wouldn't let her out until she went. Well, she finally starting digging and found that to be the funnest thing ever! So now my kitten loves the litter box. She loves to poop, she loves to dig, she loves to throw litter with her little paws. And in all seriousness, I don't care if she lives in there from now on, as long as she is not pooping under my couch.

Thanks for all the great answers!

Answer 1

Despite some people's ideas that your kitten is "too young" to be litter trained, the problem is not her age, it is that she was orphaned. Kittens learn to use the litter box by watching the mother, just like they learn everything else from her. Watch her after she eats. Usually within just a few minutes she will start "sniffing around." She's looking for a place to go, and once she uses one spot--even if it's under your couch, she will want to go back to that same spot every time. When you see her sniffing around, take her to the litter box. This will take some time and close watching for a few days, but it will be worth it. If you find any place she has already gone, cover it with tin foil. They don't like to step on that. Also, clean the carpet anywhere she might have already gone to ger rid of the smell and the attraction for her to return to that spot to relieve herself. Make sure her litter box is low enough on the sides so it is easy for her to get into. If it's not, she'll always look for an easier place to "do her business."

Answer 2

hi well done first off for taking on this huge responsability many people wouldnt.
have you taken her to the vet to get checked out? she may have some health probs from her poor start in life.

my advice would be yes continue with the putting her in the litter box repeatadly like u are doing especially after meals and drinks etc.

hmmm cardboard box as a start in life?? maybe just place a small square of similar cardboard that she would of been in in the corner of the litter box to get her to think thats where she has been defecating before this is where she is to go now? plus is ur litter box an open one? if it is it may be a good idea to infest in a closed walk in one as she is used to going in the dark and privacy. believe it or not i had a fully litter trained 8-9 week old kitten but she held her bladder and bowels for a day and a half until i got a walk in litter box as that was what she was used to in the shelter i got her from.

other tips for where to place the litter box is... not too close to her food source or water source or her bedding as she will be less inclinde to use it. if she has been using under ur sofa as her 'toilet' then i would suggest going out and getting a good cleaner for carpets etc that specifically eliminates the smell of dog/cat urine. throughly clean under the sofa so she will not feel that her scent is there and that is where she is meant to go if u follow?

like i said best bet is to put some cardboard in the litter box preferable an inclosed one they are not too expensive and to begin with only put a small amount of litter in so she gradually gets used to the texture under foot. i would not advise u show her how to dog however as this could be the reason for the eye problem that to her is a negative reenforcement for why NOT to use the litter.

hope this helps give her a big kiss from me and good luck!!!

Answer 3

Keep the litter well away from eating and sleeping areas. Being such clean animals cats like to keep these areas clean and smell free.

Yeap. Pop her in the loo after meals. Actually my 6 and 9 month old go to the loo about an hour before food I have noticed. See if it has a regular time and keep putting it in the litter box.

Answer 4

at 4 weeks old naturally the mother would eat her poo its a mother protection thing , as she has no mother you basicly just have to clean up after it, and just gentle encouragement to use the litter tray , keep putting her in the litter box over and over and even show her how to dig with her paw and make a fuss when she does use it , remember though just cause shes done it once doesnt mean she will do it again so keep putting he in the tray for a couple of weeks , good luck

Answer 5

A 4 week old kitten... might still need to be cleaned by its mother..... how is its belly ??? you might take a warm paper towel... a clean its area.... cause what a mother kitten does is lick the area.... to get it to pee... or poop.... If you know that the kitten is peeing on its own.... and it is hiding under your couch.... then put the box under your couch.... cause it might be afraid to come out of under the couch...... 5 days is not a long time ... for a kitten to get used to humans...also they do not like their litter next to their food..... . as for the litter.... I would start out with a simple clay litter... unscented cause they will eat the litter,,,,,, it is something normal.... even though we would prefer they wouldn't....AND ... I THANK YOU for taking the time to adopt the kitten..... Good luck,,,, and please spay or neuter your kitten.... males can be nueter as early as 3-4 months.... check with your vet......

Answer 6

i have never had a kitten that didnt go to the litter box.they were using the box before they could walk well enough to get to it by themselves. can she climb into the litter box? maybe something smaller. my cats do have a cat litter preference so maybe a different kind. maybe mixing a Little dirt with the litter will make it more pleasing until she gets use to it.it might be just taking a little longer for her to learn.

Answer 7

everyone has hit all the points already but also it might be worthwhile to check the type of litter you are using. you dont want to use anything that kicks up a lot of dust. fresh step is a great brand. DO NOT use the clay clumping litter, though. it is not a wise choice for kittens because they may ingest it which can be dangerous.

Answer 8

she may be too young. At this age, you just rub her behind with a cloth to help her pee and poop. After 1 week or 2 she will be ready, then you will do what you said, help her dig. It's a good idea to put her there after she eats and then rub her behind a bit. She will learn when it is time. well done for saving her.

Answer 9

the kitten is too young to start formal training. 6 weeks is your best bet. Here are some tips i can give you from breeding puppies.

keep her in a contained area. one for sleeping, one part for palying and one part for litter (careful about the litter though, use natural)

when she soils, take it and put it in the litter box.
keep doing that...she will get the hint. they like to go in the same place so you will have to make sure you clean up the area she originally pooped or peed in.

good luck

Answer 10

kittens are very adept when it comes to learning to use a litterbox. it's kind of an instinctual thing for them. the best thing you could do would be to put it in a small room, say a bathroom, with the litterbox. given nowhere else to go, she should get the gist.