Help with Problem with Kittens

[moneypenney]

Good morning, all! I am new to the forum, and I have a problem I could use some help with from those experienced kitten owners out there. I have four cats, three of which are kittens, all under four months of age. My daughter found the first two, Stripe and Pearl, on the street near her home, and knowing that we were looking for companions for my nine year old Egyptian Mau, Cougar, she asked if I wanted them. My son and I took those two and then the next day, the manager of our apartment complex asked if we wanted a tiny little orage tabby which someone had dumped outside our complex. Since I can't bear to see any animal in need (I regualarly feed all the strays in our complex), we took in this kitten, whom we named Gizmo, in as well.

My problem is that I am having a great deal of difficulty in getting the kittens to use the litter box on a regular basis. I empty and clean it every other day , since we have so many kitty bottoms using it; they all know where it is, and they DO use it; it's just that frequently, they decided to use various areas of my living room carpet as a litter box as well. I have tried discouraging them from going back to those same spots by cleaning them with soap and water, them spraying them with deodorizers, or sprinkling them with baking soda to remove the scent, but nothing I have done is working. They either go back to the same spots or pick out new ones. I am getting terribly frustrated with constantly having to clean up after them.

Anyone have any suggestions for how to break them of their bad habits? I am desperate, and will welcome any suggestopns.

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

[Marty]

You need to get an enzyme cleaner such as "get Serious" from a pet store to remove the odor. Might want to add another litter box and clean it daily. Have they been checked by a Vet for any health problems?

[Ash]

Do you have only one litterbox for all four cats? If so I would try first to add at least two more and place them in quiet areas.

Did you try training them by loudly saying 'No!' whenever you see someone doing it on your carpet? They usually pick up on that quite quickly. But never scold a kitten a long time after the event, they won't understand it then. Only talk sternly when you actually see it happening, say 'No!' and immediately place them in the nearest litterbox, where you then change your voice and talk nicely. Also, award them every time you see them using the litterbox by themselves.

They are very young still, with a little patience you should get the problem sorted out. But you have to be consistent, and not let it go.

You can also do a search on this forum, as this topic has been discussed before, and you'll find many other good suggestions.

Another thing: how are the kittens and your older cat getting along? If there is tension among them it would contribute to the urination problem. Have you had the kittens checked by your vet to make sure they are healthy?

[moneypenney]

First of all, thanks to everyone who has posted a reply to this question, and for all your suggestions:

To answer the questions you have posed: I have only one ltter box because I do not have room for more. I have a studio apartment, and the only spot I have to put the box is in the bathroom, which is about 6 x 6. I am trying to get into a larger apartment in my complex, but I have to wait until one of the one or two bedroom apartments become vacant in order to do that. Until then, I am limited to where I have a place to put my litter box.

I do scold them when they go any place but the box, and I immediately put take them to it when I find them any place else. Since my place is small, they don't have to travel a great distance to the box, so I'm unclear as to why they seem to know where it is one time, and they don't the next.

My older cat and the kittens seem to all get along. Of course, since Cougar is a grampa, he sometimes gets annoyed with them and will bat them around if they bug him, but for the most part, he gets along with them, grooms them, and plays with them. Doesn't seem to be a problem there.

I have not had the chance or the money to take them to the vet as of yet, something I MUST do soon, since two of the kittens are male (Stripe and Gizmo) and one is female (Pearl), and I need to have Pearl spayed before she can start producing one litter after another. Cougar is neutered, so there's no problem there, but I 'm sure you can all see the potential for a problem in the future!

[Traci]

The problems:

1) From the first incident of marking on the carpet, if not cleaned properly, the cats will continue marking in that same area.

Solution: Use enzymatic cleaners, such as what Marty mentioned, or Nature's Miracle.....if you use powders, or scented deodorizers, they will only mask the scent temporarily, and will only cover it on a temp basis, the cats can still smell the urine scent and will continue marking it. Enzymatic cleaners are designed to break up proteins, etc and to thoroughly clean through any marked area.

2) Only one litterbox.

Solution: Rather than using the one litterbox you have, purchase two smaller ones, since most cats prefer to urinate in one and defecate in the other. Keep the boxes scooped and cleaned on a daily basis and don't use deodorizer powders in the boxes...if they are kept scooped and cleaned on a daily basis, there is no need to use deodorizers in the litterbox.

Also make sure the litterboxes are NOT placed in a heavy foot-traffic area, cats prefer their litterboxes are in a hidden, private area.

3) Possible stress in the home. You didn't mention when or the time frame between the introductions of the new kittens, but if its been recent, then there may not have been enough time for all of them to adjust. Hence, one stressed kitten could have marked, and another will follow suit, like a domino effect.

Solution: It's important to get those areas cleaned throughly with an enzymatic cleaner and combine litterbox training on a daily basis. Even though they are familiar with their litterbox and know how to use it, they are attracted to the marked areas and until those are cleaned properly, will continue to do so. Make sure the litterboxes are actually cleaned with soap and water at least once or twice each week (don't use ammonia, pinesol or similar cleaning agents, the scents will linger on the box and the cats may avoid them)

Keep stress reduced to a minimum, be sure to spend quality time with each cat and as a group, involve yourself with plenty of playtime and activity with them so that they have a sense of security and adjustment. If you have a hectic schedule, etc, then take steps to de-stress yourself as well because the cats can pick up on your stress and will react by marking etc.

4) Intact cats. Intact male cats will spray and mark, it is instinctual for them to mark their territory until they are neutered. You also have the risk of the intact female mating and getting pregnant.

Solution: Try to get them all altered as soon as possible.

[moneypenney]

I may not have made myself clear on the issue of the kittens using my carpets as a litter box... they are not PEEING on the carpets, so I don't think they are marking territory... unless they consider taking a dump as marking. *embarrassed grin*

[Marty]

Ohhhh....You still need the enzyme cleaner to get rid of the odor. And like Traci suggested, 2 small litter boxes.

Just a question, are you home with them, or do you work? Do they do this while you are at work only?

[moneypenney]

They are at home while I work, but it doesn't matter. I can be sitting here on the computer a few feet from them, and they will still be happily carrying out their business under the furniture a few feet away or elsewhere. The sudden aroma is how I know who and when it's happening. I'm getting a bit ticked at them, to say the least. *grin*

[Ash]

Cats sometimes use faeces for marking as well.

Someone else on this board posted the following a while back:

Middening......

http://muttcats.com/articles/taming_ferals.htm
"Dominant cats show 'middening' behavior - they purposely leave faeces in an exposed place as a territorial marker - these should adapt to using the litter tray, but might not cover their feces. Middening and spraying are reduced, or even eliminated, by neutering/spaying."

http://www.messybeast.com/cat_talk2.htm
"Faeces is also a scent-laden marker. Although common wisdom is that cats fastidiously bury their wastes, they may use faeces to mark territory - a behaviour known as middening. Middening cats deposit their faeces in a prominent spot (often on top of a tuft of grass or the middle of a path), often choosing the same place again and again to advertise their continued presence. Middens are usually located at disputed areas of territory where challenges are likely to occur. Sometimes this is indoors, the usual place being the bed. A cat which has been upset by an intruder or unusual event middens in the place which smells most strongly of its human family, reinforcing the family bond. Humans don't see it the same way."

Could be that your place is simply too small for four cats, and if that is the reason it might get better when you move. Also note that middening is reduced by spaying/neutering. I guess, there is still hope for you!