Litter Training a Kitten
Litter training a kitten doesn’t have to be difficult. In fact, most kittens will learn to use the litter box relatively quickly. First of all, kittens are naturally drawn to using soil or other sand-like material as a place to void. Second, if a litter box trained mother cat (queen) is around, she can be an excellent role model when it comes time for you to train her kittens in litter box usage.
A good time to start litter box training is when a cat is around 3 to 4 weeks of age. In order for a very young newborn kitten to eliminate bodily waste, its mother cat (or surrogate) must stimulate its genital area by licking or gently massaging the area. By 3 or 4 weeks, most kittens can void on their own without the use of manual stimulation.
Litter Training a Kitten in 10 Easy Steps
- Get the Right Box
Sure, your kitten can use an adult sized litter box to train if that’s what’s available. However, please note that it may be best to select a smaller box for a kitten to use. Most store bought adult-cat sized boxes are around 5 or 6 inches in height. Most young kittens will have difficulty climbing over such high walls. To solve this problem, you can use a kitten specific litter box or make a box out of a shallow baking pan or a shallow cardboard board box.
- Get the Best Type of Litter
There are many types of cat litter available to use. The choice of litter really depends upon the owner and most of all: the cat. Cats can be quite particular when it comes to choosing the right kitty litter. Many kitten owners dislike using clay based (sodium bentonite) kitty litter as has the tendency to swell many times its volume when in contact with water. And can block a kitten’s digestive system if ingested.
- Location, Location, Location
Confined spaces work best when litter training a kitten. A confined space gives them a chance to know where their box is at all times and to develop a routine. It also saves your floors. And a confined space allows your kitten to focus on the task at hand with minimal distraction. This space could a bathroom or space bedroom.
Choosing a quiet, isolated spot is best for cats, as they like privacy. Also, keep your kitten’s food and drinking water away from it litter box. Kittens detest having to eliminate where they eat.
- Scent Du Jour
Now, that you have the box, the litter, and the perfect private location, pour the cat litter in to the box. Add a put a little bit of cat urine or feces in your kitten’s litter so that they know the purpose of the box. How do you do that? If you have a sample of your kitten’s stool or urine, add it to the box. You can stimulate your kitten to get the urge to void by wiping its genital area with a warm cotton ball or cloth.
Or if you have another cat, you can put a bit of that cat’s litter into your kitten’s box. This process teaches your kitten what the box is to be use for. And usually, kittens tend to pick up this not so subtle hint fairly easily.
- Kitten in Box
Gently place the kitten in the box. Allow them some time to play and explore their new litter box. They may roll around in the litter. Some may become bored with the litter box. In any case, keep them there as long as they can tolerate.
- Paws in the Box
Move your kitten’s paws around the box vigorously. Have them dig and scratch in the box.
- Consistency Counts
Repetition. Repetition. Repetition. Some cats catch on quickly. Others seem clueless when it comes to litter training. If a kitten leaves its box prior to elimination and it is giving signals that voiding is imminent, keep it in the box. If it jumps out, gently put it right back in.
- Praise, Praise, Praise!
It is vitally important to praise a kitten when it uses it litter box correctly. Not only does praise create a bond between you and your kitten, it encourages them that are on the right track. Verbal rewards, toys, and food treats are a great way to motivate your kitten to continue the good work. Be consistent with praise as well.
- Make it Fun!
A kitten should enjoy using its litter box. Litter training a kitten should be fun. It should not devolve into a battle of wills. Cats are notoriously independent and head strong. Yet, even the most obstinate cat can be litter trained.
- Minimize punishment
One of the most detrimental behaviors that an owner can do when litter training a kitten is to use harsh punishment to correct kitten “accidents”. When they first learn how to use the litter box, almost all kittens will have setbacks and poop or pee outside of their box. Accidents happen. After all, they are kittens. Don’t lose your temper and hit, push a kitten. These behaviors will just make the kitten fear you. Simply clean up the mess and keep up the training!
Remember…Litter training a kitten doesn’t have to be a power struggle. You’re kitten can and will learn to use the litter box in due time.
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