How to Train a Kitten to Use a Litter Box

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Learn when to start litter training, which supplies are best, & more
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Kittens are ready to use litter boxes at about 3 weeks old, when they can urinate and defecate without help from their mothers. [1] Most kittens take to litter boxes naturally, the key is just to find a box, litter, and environment where they feel safe and comfortable. We spoke to certified feline trainers Molly Devoss and Russell Hartstein to bring you the scoop on the best litter box supplies, introducing your kitten to a litter box, keeping things clean, and encouraging litter box use.

Things You Should Know

  • Get a small litter box that your kitten can easily climb into, and fill it with 3 in (7.6 cm) of fine-grained, unscented litter.
  • Place the litter box somewhere quiet, accessible, and familiar to the kitten, away from foot traffic or intimidating noises or objects.
  • Place your kitten in the box about 20-30 minutes after feeding time to encourage the kitten to use it, and offer plenty of praise after they do.
Section 1 of 4:

Getting the Right Supplies

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  1. Full-sized litter boxes are often too high or intimidating for kittens, so choose a kitten-sized litter box or tray with low sides. [2] Start with an uncovered box or tray, which suits most kittens, but note that you may need to cover it if your kitten ends up preferring more privacy, or tends to kick or dig enthusiastically.
    • As your kitten grows, you’ll need to give them a larger box. Always ensure your cat has enough space to turn around inside the both without touching the sides.
  2. Certified dog & cat trainer Russell Harstein says “you should have at least one litter box per cat, plus one [extra] box.” Certified feline behavior specialist Molly Devoss adds, “If you have a large home, put out a few boxes so the kitten [can] make it back to [a] box.”
    • Also, place a box on each floor of your home, and check that another cat hasn’t already “claimed” the box or is guarding it. Cats like having their own private place to eliminate.
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  3. Most cats naturally prefer 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) of sand or sand-like litter , as it emulates their habitat in the wild. [3] That said, every cat has their own preferences, so experiment or offer multiple boxes with different litters. Keep the following factors in mind as you make your choice:
    • Avoid clumping litters until the cat is about 4 months old. Clumping litter can cause intestinal blockage if ingested—and kittens love to ingest just about anything. [4]
    • Also avoid litter made with chemicals or fragrances, which can irritate your cat or be toxic if ingested. Err on the side of all-natural litters.
    • Select a litter that is widely available. Some cats become accustomed to a specific litter and may not recognize the tray as a toilet unless it contains their usual litter.
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Section 2 of 4:

Introducing the Kitten to the Litter Box

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  1. Kittens and cats need peace and privacy, but also don’t want to work too hard to find or use their litter boxes. The ideal litter box location is easily accessible, offers plenty of privacy, doesn’t feel enclosed, and is free from sudden noises that could frighten a kitten. [5]
    • Try placing the box in a roomy bathroom or another fairly disused room of the house. That said, kittens also prefer their boxes to be somewhere they spend plenty of time themselves, and where they can often see it.
  2. Kittens often need to evacuate about 20-30 minutes after being fed. When the time comes, litter train your kitten by placing them in the box itself and let them spend a few minutes there, even if they don't go to the bathroom the first time.
    • Certified feline training and behavior specialist Molly Devoss says, “Kittens inherit the urge to use a litter box so there shouldn’t be much house training needed.” That said, some kittens will need to be placed in the litter box repeatedly until they figure it out.
    • Avoid attempting to "show" the kitten the digging motion that cats use to bury their waste as it may frighten them. [6] And avoid hovering, as cats dislike distractions when it’s time to do their business.
  3. As the kitten grows used to the litter box and starts using it as their toilet, praise them each time they go by petting them and making comforting sounds. If they start their business outside the box, interrupt it with a whistle or a cheerful tone, then place them in the box. [7]
    • Always avoid punishment. Kittens don’t respond well to forceful or frightening behaviors. If your kitten has an accident, let them sniff the mess, then gently lift them and put them in the box, so they know where to go next time.
  4. Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist Molly Devoss says to “confine the kitten to [the litter box’s room] until he gets used to using the box regularly.” When you first introduce a kitten to your home, consider keeping them in the same room as the box for 2-3 weeks. [8]
    • This can help them acclimate to their new environment, gives them easy access to their litter box, and can help minimize or confine accident areas.
    • Keep the litter box and the kitten’s food and bedding at opposite ends of the confinement area. Cats don’t like doing their business near where they eat and drink.
    • You may want to confine the kitten to an area without carpet to make accidents easier to clean if they do occur.
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Section 3 of 4:

Cleaning the Litter Box

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  1. Kittens don’t like to relieve themselves in dirty areas. To maintain the litter box, scoop the waste out of the box, place it in a small baggie, close the bag, and dispose of it in the garbage. If you don't change the litter, the kitten may find a cleaner place, like the carpet, to do their business. [9]
    • Also, spread out some newspaper or a disposable liners under the box to catch any mess your kitten may make.
    EXPERT TIP

    Glenn Carreau

    wikiHow Staff Writer
    Glenn Carreau is a wikiHow Staff Writer, currently based in Los Angeles. With over four years of experience writing for several online publications, she has covered topics ranging from world history to the entertainment industry. Glenn graduated with honors from Columbia College Chicago, earning a B.A. in Interactive Arts and Media and a minor in Professional Writing. Today, Glenn continues to feed her lifelong love of learning while serving wikiHow's many readers.
    Glenn Carreau
    wikiHow Staff Writer

    "The SiftEase litter sifter makes emptying your cat's litter box easy; just pour the litter into the sifter and let it catch all the refuse that needs to be disposed of."

  2. Every 7 days or so, clean the litter box more thoroughly. Completely dump the contents of the litter pan and give it a thorough scrub with warm, soapy water, then rinse the pan, dry it, and refill it with clean litter [10]
    • Even scoopable litter needs to be completely emptied and replaced frequently.
  3. If your kitten or cat uses the bathroom outside of the litter box, soak the area with an enzymatic cleaner , let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then soak it up with a paper towel. [11] Completely clean the area, removing all traces of urine or feces to prevent repeat accidents in the same area. [12]
    • If your kitten tends to have accidents in the same spot repeatedly, move the litter box to that spot to encourage its use.
    • If you find that your kitten is using the dirt in your potted plants for a toilet, you may need to remove them or cover the dirt with foil during litter training. Kittens instinctively bury their waste, so they may be attracted to dirt or sandy areas.
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Section 4 of 4:

Encouraging Stubborn Kittens to Use a Litter Box

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  1. This helps you predict when your kitten needs to use the litter box. Kittens generally feel the urge to have a bowel movement about 20-30 minutes after eating. When you think she has the urge to go, take her to the box and let her climb inside. [13]
  2. Kittens and cats can be quite finicky. If your kitten refuses to use the box, move it to a different room, or simply rearrange it inside the same room, and keep trying for another week or two. Find somewhere quieter and with a comfortable temperature, or somewhere nearer where the kitten usually spends their time.
    • If it becomes necessary to move the box, do it gradually—a few feet at a time every few days—to keep the kitten comfortable and prevent confusion.
    • Or, use a pheromone diffuser to make your cat calm and comfortable enough to use the box.
  3. It may be that your kitten simply doesn’t like the box, or the litter. Get a larger box with a different shape, or try a different type of litter, like pellets or clay. Or, fill the box a little less full of litter.
    • Also, clean the box more frequently. Or, if you already keep it spotless, consider leaving small amounts of waste to remind your cat that they should eliminate in the box.
    • Transition a kitten from an uncovered to a covered box by removing the door.
  4. If you find no success after a month or two, consult a veterinarian. Your kitten may have an illness, like a parasite or urinary infection, or your vet might have some more personalized insight. Tell the vet about your cat’s diet, when and where they do eliminate, and the size and color of their feces to help diagnose any problems. [14]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Is it safe to train a one-week old kitten to use the litter tray?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Very young kittens such as this are not able to empty their own bladder and bowel, but hold on and only toilet when stimulated to do so by their mother licking. Also, the kitten is not yet able to walk and is still blind so they won't be able to find their way to the tray and climb in. By all means have a litter tray set up for the kitten to use, so they can discover it as they become mobile, but a one-week old kitten still needs their toileting needs seen to by the mother.
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  • Question
    Why is my kitten eating the cat litter?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Kittens tend to investigate things with their mouths and it's not unusual for kittens to eat litter. For this reason, never use clumping cat litter if you have a kitten. The swallowed litter could clump in their stomach and cause a serious blockage.
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  • Question
    Why is my kitten meowing at me?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    If the kitten is not hungry and has recently been to the litter box, it may be that she's asking for attention. Try brushing her and playing with her for a few minutes, and she may settle down for a contented sleep.
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      Tips

      • If you find that you need to change a cat’s litter type, try slowly mixing the litter types over a few days, or offer multiple boxes with different types of litter. [15]
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      Tips from our Readers

      The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
      • Clean up accidents on carpet by soaking them with equal parts water and vinegar and letting it sit for 10-15 minutes, then soaking them up. Sprinkle them with baking powder until the odor is gone.
      • Buy small or sample packs of litter at first to find a litter your kitten likes to save money.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.alleycat.org/resources/how-old-is-that-kitten-guide-three-weeks/
      2. ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/kitten-behavior-and-training---litter-box-training
      3. ↑ https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/how-help-your-cats-use-litter-box
      4. ↑ https://www.foundanimals.org/best-litter-for-kittens/
      5. ↑ https://www.bluecross.org.uk/advice/cat/behaviour-and-training/how-to-litter-train-a-kitten
      6. ↑ http://humanesociety.org
      7. ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/kitten-behavior-and-training---litter-box-training
      8. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/litter-box-problems
      9. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/litter-box-problems
      1. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/remedial-litter-box-training
      2. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/litter-box-problems
      3. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/virtual-pet-behaviorist/cat-behavior/remedial-litter-box-training
      4. ↑ https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/how-do-i-litter-train-my-cat/
      5. ↑ https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/kitten-behavior-and-training---litter-box-training
      6. ↑ https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cat-care/common-cat-behavior-issues/litter-box-problems

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Most kittens learn how to use the litter box from their mother, making the house training process pretty hassle-free. Cats also have a natural instinct to bury their waste, so you shouldn’t have any problem getting your new furry friend to use their litter box. Place your kitten in its litter box throughout the day, like after it eats or wakes up from a nap, so it gets familiar with using it. If your kitten doesn’t do anything when you put it in the litter box, try holding its paw and gently scratching the litter with it a few times, which should encourage it to go. After your kitten uses its litter box, give it a treat to reinforce the behavior. If your kitten goes to the bathroom outside of the litter box, quickly move it to the box. Place the waste in the litter box too to remind your kitten where it’s supposed to go. Avoid yelling since it could scare your kitten from using the litter box in the future. Keep your kitten’s litter box in a quiet spot that’s easy for it to find, and make sure the sides are low enough for your kitten to easily climb in and out. For tips from our Veterinary reviewer on keeping your litter box tidy and clean-smelling, read on!

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