How do you litter box train a new kitten?
Monday, March 15th, 2010 at
9:26 am
I just got a new cat, 10 weeks old named Xena. I have another cat named Tigger who is 2. Can i use the same litter box for both of them? Or do i have to get a new one for Xena?
Filed under: Cat Litter
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I would strongly suggest buying an extra litter box…
If the kitten was born and raised outside, they may have a tendency to want to maintain those outside habits inside your home. You may find that they might try and use your plants as a litter box. A kitten that was born and raised, for the first several weeks, inside by its mother will have the advantage of its mother’s help in the litter training process, and other domestications. Kittens, generally, can begin to use a litter box at about four weeks of age, and a kitten being raised without its mother or adult cat will take slightly longer to litter train; so, keep this in mind when you begin the task of litter training your kitten.
Place the kitten in the box 1/2 hour after play or meals.
Stimulate interest in the litter by stirring it.
Let the kitten jump in and out of the litter box instead of restraining him.
Place some stool in the litter box (builds associations between litter box and bathroom needs).
Use a litter with pellets as these mask the wet feel.
Cats are naturally a remarkably clean and fastidious animal and will usually learn quite quickly how to use a litter tray. Some kittens can be put in the litter tray and they instinctively go back there but others simply refuse to use the litter tray and will always find a nice corner of the room. The other problem here is that once one of the kittens starts using a corner of the room, the other may think that they should be using it too.
You really need to spend a fair amount of time with the kittens continually picking them up after eating or drinking and putting them in the litter tray. You can also buy a spray that attracts them to the litter tray. Cat urine does not do the carpets any good and if you allow the cat to continually use the corner of a room, you will soon find that the carpet discolors and you can never really get rid of that awful smell.
You could use a "pet behave spray" which is basically a spray that can be applied to any soft furnishing – carpets, stairs, settees etc and will deter the cat from going near as they hate the smell. You will also need to clean the litter tray daily if you have more than one cat. The only solution is perseverance and a willingness to clean up a lot of cat waste before they finally learn where they are supposed to go! You should never scold a young cat for fouling in the wrong place and certainly never rub its nose in it.
Try them both with the same litter box and see how it goes. Most cats don’t mind sharing a litter box, but some cats will just refuse to do so! When we got our kitten we got a separate litter box for her, but then both she and our 4 year old cat ended up using the same one anyway.
It’s best to have another litter box, for it can fill up fast. The easiest way to get a kitten to use the litter box is Dr. Elsey’s Kitten Attract that you can get at Petsmart or Co for $13. It has this chlorophyll scent that kittens are attracted to. It’s best to put the kitten in his litter box right after he eats and then again 30 min later. If he ever poops outside his litter box, don’t dispose of the poop, instead put the poop in his litter box, so that way he’ll have his scent. And if he pees somewhere, take him to smell it, then take him directly to his box. If you have to, kep him in quarantine in a small room with only his box, food, and toys. Good luck.
Start out with a new one because the new kitten’s smell could deter your 2 year old from using the litter box until they are used to each other. If they end up using the same one or both using both, then you can get rid of it. It’s always a good idea to have two boxes with two cats though because they are finicky at unpredictable times.
As for how you litter train the kitten; follow it around for an entire day or two and every time ti starts to smell the ground or circle or do anything that looks like it might start to pee or poop, place it in the box. it’ll try to leave but just keep putting her back until she goes or you’re sure she doesn’t have to go.
Cat’s are smart and she’ll get the hang of it in a few days. ALWAYS use a separate box for this though, regardless of what you decide to do later. It’s easier and more convenient if Tigger is using it and she has to go.
you might want to get separate litter boxes, at least for a while. If Tigger is a boy then he will probably want his own. most male cats are Territorial.
your kitten should pretty much all ready know how to use the litter. mine did and she was only 4 weeks old. if it doesn’t then show the box to it. if it goes then gently grab it’s paw and use it to show it how to dig.
also after you see it go get a damp towel a dab around its privates to teach it to clean its self.
i hope this helps
You can use the same litter box, but it might get messy so get a second one. To get her acquainted bring her to the box each time the older cat goes so she can learn by example. Also place her in the litter so she can get a feel for it, then take her front paws and scratch in the litter so she gets the idea that that’s what it’s there for.
Good luck!