Litter Box Training Kittens

[Pat S.]

I don't want to be too "anal" about these kittens, but I want to make sure I don't miss anything. The kittens are now 4 weeks, and I have introduced them to a litter box and am beginning the weaning process. So far, they're happy for mom cat to continue taking care of both issues.

Here's the dilemma: Because mom cat is so aggressive toward my other cats, she and the kittens are in a *very* small hall bathroom. I have her litter box in the bathtub and the kittens' box on the floor where they can get to it. Mom cat has *never* used the box in the bathroom. She will just "hold it" until I am able to round up the other cats and shut them in another part of the house. Then she runs all the way the length of the house to the utility room, where I have three litter boxes.

I have placed another litter box in the hall, just outside the bathroom, but she won't use it, either. She's always been an outside cat, and that would be her first preference, with the utility room second.

I'm sure this isn't healthy for her, but I'm also concerned about how the kittens will learn to use the litter box if mom doesn't show them. Will they just figure it out on their own? They get in it and walk around, but she's still cleaning them. I'm using clumping litter in her bathtub box but wheat litter in the boxes the kittens can access.

Ideas????? Thanks!

[Tina B and crew]

Hi Pat,
I have a similar situation to yours. Gretchen is in a bathroom with the hall blocked off from the other cats...so I too have her litter box in the bathtub to give them more floor space.

From my experience kittens just learn on there own. Of all my bottle fed litters I don't recall any of them not just picking it up from instinct. Of course I do remember having some accidents in the learning process. The litter I have now seems to pee OK in the box but have picked a spot on the floor to poo...until yesterday. I notice they were pooping in the box too...yay!! With my bottle feeders I will put them in the box and just let them explore. I also keep them crated when I'm not home...when they are crated they seem to learn using the box better...maybe it is because they have a smaller space and don't want to soil their living quarters.

As far as cats "holding" it...in reality I don't think you have anything to worry about. It seems most cats only go around twice a day anyway, unless they are marking.

Good for you not using the clumping litter in the kitten box

[Ron]

I think Tina is right about everything. I don't know why your mama cat seems to prefer a box that's not in the same room with the kittens, but if she feels like holding until she can get to her preferred box then I really don't think that will hurt anything as long as you give her several opportunities to use her favorite box each day.

Cats have a natural instinct to want to bury their waste, and I don't think that using the litterbox is something they learn from their mother. I've cared for several foster kitty families and it's been my experience that as long as there is an easily accessible litterbox they always seem to find it on their own and know what to do with it.

Good luck to you and the new kitty family!!

[Pat S.]

Thanks for the great advice! I've got folks coming this weekend to look at them and, if we're a "match" put holds on kittens until they're ready to leave home. I'll be very sad to see these little punkins go, but glad to get back to normal, hopeful that Grace will lose the attitude toward my other cats when her babies are gone. Happy and sad at the same time...I guess all parents go through this stage?

[Tweeti]

Well from my expreince, my little one i raised him from day one he was born, he was abamded and raised on a eye dropper and he is 5mo now, and i just showed him the box at 4 weeks and he started using it moved his little paws a few times and he was on his own,, so don't worry they will do fine. good luck