Litter trained kitten has regressed. Suggestions?

Question

We got two adoreable kittens that were dumped at local pet store. Since we have two other cats, we kept them in our bathroom for several weeks. They are now 3 months and we slowly introduced them to the other cats. I moved the litter box by several feet to the garage (cats have pet door) over a week or more. I showed them the new place and helped them through the door. I thought everything was fine until I made the horrible discovery - the poop in "hidden" places!! I have put them back into the bathroom and they are using it there. But I want my bathroom back!! How do I get them using the litter box in the garage??

Answer 1

If these two kittens dumped at the local pet store were not with their mother cat at least 8 weeks, they will normally, be difficult to train to use a litter pan. That is something they pick up in about 8 weeks from the mother cat. If they are isolated in your bathroom with the litter pan, that is a good start. Before allowing them to mingle with your other cats, you must get two things done. First, they need to be dewormed by your local, professional veterinarian. Secondly, they need to be examined and tested for any kind of illness or disease. A sick cat will often fail to use it's litter pan and hide in unusual places. Make these arrangements with your vet. as soon as possible. If they are disease free you may have to find a way to keep the two "incontinent" kittens in the basement and teach them not to go outside of their litter pans by spraying a "cat chasing" scent in the hidden places where they have gone in order to discourage it.. Best wishes.

Answer 2

Can you safely keep them in the garage for a while? If you can, they will learn that the litter box is there. If they are use to the litter being in one place and it suddenly disappears, they will use anyplace they can. You will have to retrain them in the garage if possible. Good luck.