We have two adult female cats and we had just brought in a kitten. The other two cats go in the litter box, but the kitten always wants to go behind our couch and love seat all of the time. How is the best way to get her to stop going there and start going in the litter box?
My wife takes her and the poo to the litter box, to show her where to go but it seems not to work very well.
2007-07-22 06:42:18 · 20 answers · asked by cbauer_74 1 in Pets ➔ Cats
Chances are the two adult cats are intimidating the kitten, which is why the kitten keeps hiding rather than going to the litter box. Honestly, you should have one litter box for each cat in the house, plus one extra.
The boxes should be kept very clean- by this I mean that if you would not be willing to stick your own bare foot in the box, it needs to be cleaned. Don't forget, cats are naturally meticulous animals, and they have to be IN the box to use it, so if it smells offensive, they will find somewhere else to go.
I would suggest getting a medium to large sized cat carrier and a litter box that takes up maybe half of the floor space in the carrier. Put the kitten IN the carrier with the box, as well as food, water, a bed, and toys, and let the kitten get used to the new surroundings and the new people before letting him/her out. Then let the kitten loose in one small room with the door closed, and give it a few days to acclimate itself to that room before adding access to any other parts of the house. If the kitten soils outside the litter box, that means you are moving too fast for it to be comfortable, and you should back up one step and give it some more time.
Make sure you thoroughly clean any spots the kitten has previously soiled, as leaving any scent behind will draw the cat(s) back to that spot to soil again. Plain white vinegar works well to get rid of the odors- just pour some on to the cleaned spot, and leave it there, the scent will not be detectable once the vinegar has penetrated and dried.
Good Luck!
2007-07-22 07:02:04 · answer #1 · answered by Phoenix Dell'incrocio 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Putting a litter box behind the couch is an OK idea, but it will also teach her that that is exactly where she's supposed to go.
This really depends on her age, if she's over 8-10 weeks old and she goes behind the couch, catch her, take her BACK to what she did, put her nose next to it and whack her. Don't beat her but flick her with your finger so she understands that is BAD. Then take her to the box and toss her in it.
Weather she's older or younger than 8 weeks, watch her closely, if you see her heading behind the couch to do the deed, grab her and move her to the box before she gets the opportunity to start. Don't whack her. When she understands that going behind the couch hurts and going in the box doesn't hurt, she'll understand where to go.
Also, a suggestion about the box, it's possible she feels vulnerable going in an open box with two older, larger cats around so she purposely isn't using it. Try to cover the box somehow or make it more private for her. You may also want to block off her access to behind the couch, it may be unattractive until she begins using the box, but it can't be worse than the alternative.
Finally, for cleaning behind the couch, with two cats and a third added I'm assuming you have a small carpet shampooer of some sort. Try using Bissel Pet Odor and Stain if there are any spots. Before using it, or if you don't have a shampooer, PetSmart has Complete for Cats Stain & Odor Remover, it leaves a pleasant scent and contains a deterrant. I'd suggest lightly spraying it the width of the couch. They seem to not go where it's been sprayed, but will go NEXT to where it's been sprayed.
Remember, accidents happen, especially with kittens, but accidents shouldn't happen regularly.
2007-07-22 07:10:32 · answer #2 · answered by Odd Little Animal 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My vet said to place a litter box behind the couch or love seat and then once she's using that, slowly (over the course of a few days) move it back toward where it is supposed to be. Also, I found that having a litter box with a "hood" on it helps too. One of my cats is very particular about her privacy. Another suggestion from the vet is that for each cat, you must have one litter box and also 1 extra box. So 4 litter boxes for 3 cats. Good luck! :)
2007-07-22 06:48:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Make the area unattractive for the cat to even go there. A roll of clear packing tape, the 2" wide kind, will help. Take strips about 12" long and lay them behind the couch and chair, sticky side up.
Cats hate stuff that sticks to their feet, and after getting caught in the 'tape monster' a few times, the kitten will be forced to go back to the box or have to do it elsewhere.
Right after the kitten eats, lift her up and set her in the box & hold her standing there while you use the scoop to scrape at the litter a few times. Then let her go. Repeat this 10 minutes later, and let her go. This way you're showing her that you use your 'paw' to dig at the litter when her body is about ready to tell her she needs to go to the bathroom. You have to be calm and quiet during this, yelling or talking loud is distracting. Cats always teach their babies very quietly.
2007-07-22 09:00:05 · answer #4 · answered by Elaine M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe get her, her own litter box and put it behind the couch. That way she will start to recognize is as were she should go to the bathroom. And slowly as she learns you can move it to a more desirable place. If this doesn't work maybe block the sides of couch somehow so she can't go behind it. Or whenever you see her going behind the couch (Even though you can't watch a cat 24/7) pick her up and take her to the litter box. That way she will start to recognize were she needs to go potty. Hope this helps!
2007-07-22 06:48:37 · answer #5 · answered by RedWhite&Blue 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The kitten needs his own litter box away from the other two cats' litter box. He smells the other cats' urine and realizes it has already been marked, so he is marking his own special place too. Once he has his own clean litter box, he'll start using it. But good luck getting the smell out from behind the sofa. Pet stores sell many sprays to discourage pets ... one is a citrus scents ( cats do not like the smell of citrus).
2007-07-22 06:50:12 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
she may not like using the same box that your other cats use. try placing a small one behind the couch and one behind the love seat. try changing the brand of litter you are using she may not like it's scent. what your wife is doing is correct. every time the kitty goes outside the box, pick her up and put her inside with her "deposit". do a little digging with your finger to show her what she is supposed to be doing. be persistent and you will win. some kitties are slower than others and may need just a bit more training. for the most part though, they pick up the idea sooner or later.
2007-07-22 06:53:24 · answer #7 · answered by kityklaws 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The little tyke thinks that is the litter box. There is some spray you can get to spray behind your couch, it really works! I don't know if it's a smell a cat hates or what, but you can get it at any pet store! Good luck!
2007-07-22 06:46:24 · answer #8 · answered by Jupe 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
put the litter box behind the couch, later when it starts going in the litter box move it.
2007-07-22 06:47:29 · answer #9 · answered by sofar 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i had the same problem with my kitten she kept peeing on my bunch bed so my mom put her in our landry room for maybe a day thats where her food and litter box was now shes stopped.but dont be mean or hurt her.
GOOD LUCK :]
2007-07-22 06:47:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋