My kitten is not using his litter box.?

Question

My family has adopted a kitten from the shelter. He is eight weeks old. At first he was using his litter box just fine. Suddenly he has been using my living room as his litter box. I keep his box clean. Can somebody help me before I return him to the pound?

Answer 1

Cats will often "go" outside the litter box for very specific reasons. First, they will do so to indicate they are ill. Parasites, worms, urinary infection, diabetes, upset tummy. Gross, I know, but check the stool for any white rice-looking pieces...indication of worms. Second, if they do not like the type of litter you are using. Try switching brands, perhaps something unscented. Third, if there was another animal in the house who had an accident in the living room, it is possible your new cat is marking his territory. Fourth, if the new cat is too small to easily climb into the litter box, you might want to try setting up something easier for them to reach. I once adopted a 6 week old kitten, and had to put a block of wood next to the litter box, so he could climb steps to get in.

If it is solid waste, try taking it and placing it in the litter box, then placing the cat in the box as well. Teach him to push the litter around and hide his waste. This method has worked for me in the past as well.

When cleaning the place the cat has been going in the living room, use a cleaner made to help remove pet odors with an enzymatic. Check with your vet or the local pet store. A bit more expensive, but well worth it. Otherwise, standard cleaning products will increase the amonia smell, which re-attracts the pet to that spot. Clean the spot as soon as you discover the cat's accident.

Discipline on a cat will not work as it does for a dog. Never reprimand either for having an indoor "accident" unless you see them doing it and they know you have witnessed the act. They will not understand why you are disciplining them otherwise, and you will be creating unnecessary stress, possibly causing the accident problem to get worse.

Answer 2

Kitten Not Using Litter Box

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
My kitten is not using his litter box.?
My family has adopted a kitten from the shelter. He is eight weeks old. At first he was using his litter box just fine. Suddenly he has been using my living room as his litter box. I keep his box clean. Can somebody help me before I return him to the pound?

Answer 4

1PLEASE DO NOT TAKE HIM TO THE POUND!!!!! 2 he is just a baby. what i did was took my cats to the litter box all the time and showed them where it was cleaned it out and even made it smell good they have deodarizer you can buy to make it smell good. when you catch him kinda spank him and tell him no no bad kittty, it worked for my cats and they are over a yer and 1/2 now.keep the litter box in the same place dont move it or you will confuse the poor baby.i would never take any animal to the pound do you know how many cats they put down a day?????? i do it is very sad. if you still dont want him see if there is an organization that adopts pets out.

Answer 5

Has the kitten been to the vet, to rule out any medical conditions behind his sudden change in behavior?
Cats/kittens don't make a habit out of misbehaving. Often, they're trying to tell you something.
Do not give up on this kitten so quickly. He's only 8 weeks old! They're not guaranteed ''pros'' at the litter box at that age, anyways.

Answer 6

I had a kitten like this, I had to put backing soda in the litter box. It takes out the smell.

Answer 7

you need to make sure that he knows where his litter box is. make sure you keep the box in the same place and if he seems to be going in one spot put the box there. the litter box may be in an active place and he just wants privacy. also if you have another cat, you may need to get another litter box, as they sometimes dont like to share. it may also be the litter. make sure it is the non clumping stuff, as it can get stuck in there paws than they lick there paws and before you know it, the litters in his tummy. also, an older cat can teach him, but if you only want one, i would suggest keeping an eye on him and put him in the box if he starts to go outside of it!

best of luck!! keep working with him and give him a chance! he may not be able to make it out of the pound alive if you bring him back!

Answer 8

A kitten is not something you buy in a shop and you return it if it "doesn't work". Unless you realize that, you are not a good pet owner. It is a living thing, and you get it for better or for worse, till (his) death do you part. You have to train it again. Kittens are easy to toilet-train. First of all, take some of the pee and put it in the sand, so that it smells a little bit of pee. Second, clean the area where he has peed on the floor well, with detergent. Cats return to pee where they smell their own pee from last time. Third, when it is time to pee or when you see him pee outside, take him softly and put him in the litterbox. He will get it. Would you give your baby back if he had a pee-pee accident?

Answer 9

Usually when cats suddenly begin relieving themselves outside the litter box it either means they have some kind of medical problem or their is another cat or dog smell where it's going and its claiming its territory.

Answer 10

what you need to do is train him so that he makes it a routine to use the litterbox