How to Litter Box train a Kitten

Simple steps to litter box train your new kitten.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Litter box (deep box with splash cover)
• Cat litter
• Scooper

1. Get a new relatively deep litter box with a splash cover, cat litter, (scoopable for cats over 6 months, regular for younger kittens), and a scooper.

2. Set up the box in a quiet place where the cat can easily access the box. I prefer to have the box in the bathroom since, well it is a bathroom. When filling the box with the litter, make sure there is enough litter for the cat to dig down but not enough to overflow the box. Make note, small or younger kittens may have trouble getting in and out of the box with the splash cover on it so for the first few weeks you may want to keep that off and to the side until he/she gets used to the box.

3. By now you've probably piqued the interest of the kitten who is probably not far away, watching your every move. Pick up the kitten and put him/her in the box. Take their front paw and scratch at the litter with them in a front to back raking motion. Kittens are hardwired to know what that scratching motion is so it should register with him/her on the first few attempts.

4. If you find your kitten has gone outside the litter box, bring him/her to the soil spot and put their nose to it telling them no. Then pick the waste up and put it in the box. (if it's urine use a paper towel to soak it up and put that in the litter box) Bring the kitten and put him/her in the box, again make the scratching/raking motion with their paw, this time burying the waste they made in the litter.

5. Rinse and repeat until the kitten starts going in and doing their business on his or her own, which shouldn't take more than a few days.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't give a new kitten a used litter box, this could create behavioral issues and cause him/her to go outside the box, and or cause health issues for your new pet.
• Don't use scoopable litter for kittens under 6 months, some of them might try to eat it which will cause a blockage. Use regular litter with a box liner for easy daily clean up.
• Don't use litter with a cat who is coming home from being fixed, you don't want the granules to get into the wound. Use shredded newspaper that doesn't bleed ink or shredded paper towels.
• Clean the litter box frequently. Not only is it better for your cat's health but it decreases odors in your home and a clean box helps prevent those unwanted out-of-the-box incidents.

[starlingbird]

on 8/17/2009 It is not necessary to put any animal's nose into their waste! Especially a sweet little kitten! Always be patient and kind. Put the kitten into the litter box and scratch their two front paws in the litter to stir their natural instinct. You may have to do it a few times until they learn the process. Never scold, hit or force their faces into their accidental waste. They learn from teaching and kindness...

[monken]

on 7/6/2009 Good Advice