Litter box training--help save my kittens! - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

telekinetic · 05-07-2007, 01:09 PM

So, I need advice on how to litterbox train a pair of kittens.

Yes, I know kittens are naturally literbox trained...noone told mine that, apparently. I don't believe they have a medical problem, as they have never pooped or peed anywhere except the borders of the room (behind furniture/curtains/clothes/etc) and they try to 'bury' it afterwards (hard to do with linoleum) so it isn' as if they are just randomly incontinent.

They've gotten their freedom cropped from whole house down to one room, which they are surely filling with poop as we speak.

They're little cuties, but if they're going to destroy the house, I can't keep them.

I took them to the vet to get checked up, and the vet's only advice was "All kittens are literbox trained, if they're not, there's something medically wrong with them" which I just don't believe is the case.

Help me TFP, you're my only hope!

robot_parade · 05-07-2007, 01:29 PM

When given a choice, all cats should prefer to do their business in loose, sandy soil and cover it up afterwards. If they aren't, then one of the following is probably true.

o There's something medically wrong with them.
o They can't find/reach the litterbox - maybe the walls of the litterbox are too high, or something?
o They don't like the litterbox. Maybe try changing the litter. I assume the box in question is kept clean?

You could also try moving the box. If they have a favorite corner, put the box in that corner. Also, if you can be in the same room with them for a while, you can usually tell when they need to go - move them into the box! (Just try not to get pooped on if they're already going when you pick them up). Even if they've already gone, put them in the box, and maybe they'll figure it out.

Lady Sage · 05-07-2007, 05:06 PM

1) Worm them.
2) Put chili powder where you dont want them to go but have seen them going.
3) Kittens are small, I started mine out with a small pie tin with a little smattering of litter.

Let me know how it goes!!

cadre · 05-07-2007, 06:07 PM

Okay, when my sister and I got our last set of kittens they were really young and we were expecting problems litter box training them. The idea is that supposedly they learn how to use a litter box from their mothers and if you take them away too young they don't get that chance.

The first night I had my kitten I just took her and put her in the litter box every so often and I did that for a day or so since it was a weekend. That's really all it took for her to get it, at that point she wasn't roaming around much so she didn't have a chance to really learn anything else.

It might just be the litter box though, they may not like the placement or the size of the litter box. I'd make sure they can get in it easily first and go from there.

thingstodo · 05-08-2007, 12:33 PM

You might try to get the same type of litter they had when with their mother - if you haven't already done that. Just thinking out loud!

snowy · 05-08-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cadre

Okay, when my sister and I got our last set of kittens they were really young and we were expecting problems litter box training them. The idea is that supposedly they learn how to use a litter box from their mothers and if you take them away too young they don't get that chance.

The first night I had my kitten I just took her and put her in the litter box every so often and I did that for a day or so since it was a weekend. That's really all it took for her to get it, at that point she wasn't roaming around much so she didn't have a chance to really learn anything else.

It might just be the litter box though, they may not like the placement or the size of the litter box. I'd make sure they can get in it easily first and go from there.

This is really excellent advice. Cats are REALLY finicky creatures, and if they don't like their litter box, they won't use it. Try putting them in the litter box every couple of hours or so one weekend, and if they continue to dislike the litter box, change the litter. Also, some cats don't like to share their boxes, so two might be in order. Furthermore, some cats like privacy when they do their business, just like we do, so put the litter box somewhere with a bit of cover.

My parents have two very young cats, and the biggest hurdle for training them to use the box was just getting them used to the placement of it, and finding a place that the cats liked as well as the people.

james t kirk · 05-09-2007, 05:27 PM

I remember teaching one kitten by putting it in the litter box then grabbing its front paws and showing it how to dig in the litter box.

Problem solved, orelse, the cat already had it figured out anyway....

telekinetic · 08-09-2007, 03:16 PM

Just a (long overdue) update: They're both happily pooping in the automatic poo box now, and just as cute as ever. All it took was trying three different 'flavors' of litter, in three different styles of litter box, to find something they approved of.

Grancey · 08-09-2007, 08:13 PM

What gorgeous babies! Cats can be a little finicky at times, but the rewards are well worth it. What are their names?

katyg · 08-10-2007, 01:47 AM

hey there
i recently got my first little bundle of kitten...things i've read and experienced:
[LIST][*]make sure the litter is changed very regularly - at least once a day (maybe twice for two kittens) - cats don't pee in dirty litter
[*]everytime they start to make an accident - if you catch them, put them into the litter as they do it (this is what worked with mine, he sort of caught on)
[*]make sure the litter is low on the ground, near them and easy to find (kittens are a bit daft)
[*]check their poo - is it at all diahorrea?

hope this helps x

05-07-2007, 01:09 PM	#1 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	Litter box training--help save my kittens! So, I need advice on how to litterbox train a pair of kittens. Yes, I know kittens are naturally literbox trained...noone told mine that, apparently. I don't believe they have a medical problem, as they have never pooped or peed anywhere except the borders of the room (behind furniture/curtains/clothes/etc) and they try to 'bury' it afterwards (hard to do with linoleum) so it isn' as if they are just randomly incontinent. They've gotten their freedom cropped from whole house down to one room, which they are surely filling with poop as we speak. They're little cuties, but if they're going to destroy the house, I can't keep them. I took them to the vet to get checked up, and the vet's only advice was "All kittens are literbox trained, if they're not, there's something medically wrong with them" which I just don't believe is the case. Help me TFP, you're my only hope! __________________ twisted no more

05-07-2007, 05:06 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lady Sage Mistress of Mayhem Location: Canton, Ohio	1) Worm them. 2) Put chili powder where you dont want them to go but have seen them going. 3) Kittens are small, I started mine out with a small pie tin with a little smattering of litter. Let me know how it goes!! __________________ If only closed minds came with closed mouths. Minds are like parachutes, they function best when open. It`s Easier to Change a Condom Than a Diaper Yes, the rumors are true... I actually AM a Witch.

05-07-2007, 06:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
cadre The Worst Influence Location: Arizona	Okay, when my sister and I got our last set of kittens they were really young and we were expecting problems litter box training them. The idea is that supposedly they learn how to use a litter box from their mothers and if you take them away too young they don't get that chance. The first night I had my kitten I just took her and put her in the litter box every so often and I did that for a day or so since it was a weekend. That's really all it took for her to get it, at that point she wasn't roaming around much so she didn't have a chance to really learn anything else. It might just be the litter box though, they may not like the placement or the size of the litter box. I'd make sure they can get in it easily first and go from there. __________________ My life is one of those 'you had to be there' jokes.

05-08-2007, 12:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	You might try to get the same type of litter they had when with their mother - if you haven't already done that. Just thinking out loud! __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

08-09-2007, 03:16 PM	#8 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	Just a (long overdue) update: They're both happily pooping in the automatic poo box now, and just as cute as ever. All it took was trying three different 'flavors' of litter, in three different styles of litter box, to find something they approved of. __________________ twisted no more Last edited by telekinetic; 08-09-2007 at 03:18 PM..

05-07-2007, 01:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
robot_parade Junkie Location: San Antonio, TX	When given a choice, all cats should prefer to do their business in loose, sandy soil and cover it up afterwards. If they aren't, then one of the following is probably true. o There's something medically wrong with them. o They can't find/reach the litterbox - maybe the walls of the litterbox are too high, or something? o They don't like the litterbox. Maybe try changing the litter. I assume the box in question is kept clean? You could also try moving the box. If they have a favorite corner, put the box in that corner. Also, if you can be in the same room with them for a while, you can usually tell when they need to go - move them into the box! (Just try not to get pooped on if they're already going when you pick them up). Even if they've already gone, put them in the box, and maybe they'll figure it out.

05-09-2007, 05:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
james t kirk Junkie Location: Toronto	I remember teaching one kitten by putting it in the litter box then grabbing its front paws and showing it how to dig in the litter box. Problem solved, orelse, the cat already had it figured out anyway....

08-09-2007, 08:13 PM	#9 (permalink)
Grancey Life's short, gotta hurry... Location: land of pit vipers	What gorgeous babies! Cats can be a little finicky at times, but the rewards are well worth it. What are their names? __________________ Quiet, mild-mannered souls might just turn out to be roaring lions of two-fisted cool.

08-10-2007, 01:47 AM	#10 (permalink)
katyg Tilted	hey there i recently got my first little bundle of kitten...things i've read and experienced: [LIST][]make sure the litter is changed very regularly - at least once a day (maybe twice for two kittens) - cats don't pee in dirty litter []everytime they start to make an accident - if you catch them, put them into the litter as they do it (this is what worked with mine, he sort of caught on) []make sure the litter is low on the ground, near them and easy to find (kittens are a bit daft) []check their poo - is it at all diahorrea? hope this helps x