Teaching a kitten to use the litterbox?

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Teaching a kitten to use the litterbox?
7
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 1:45pm

The kitten that I couldn't rescue but my friend did, is settling in wonderfully. She'd never been an indoor cat, but she is not afraid of anything. She's about 10 weeks old, I think. She has one issue, however. She likes to use a blanket as her "litterbox" instead of the actual litterbox. She seems to think the litterbox is just to play. I suggested that my friend take some of the poo and put it into the box, and then take the kitten to the box. (Not scolding, just, here is the box.) I just wondered if there was something else she should do.

** Noelle

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 12-01-2003
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 2:01pm
That is a good idea and just keep taking there like you would train a dog and keep taking him outside


^Dusty^,^Tiger^,^Ellie^and Scooby,Elvis and Maggie’s Mom,
Rachael and Jordan‘s Mom
Visit Our Website!
Email Me!

Image hosted by Photobucket.com



iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 2:50pm

I would suggest trying a different type of litter (since the kitten is associating the current kind with "play-stuff"), and then moving the box to where the kitten keeps going most. Place the kitten in the box and move her front paws to simulate a digging motion, so that she gets the idea. Cats have a natural instinct to cover their waste, so hopefully she'll get the hint soon. After she is using the box 100%, start gradually moving the box towards the area where your friend wants to keep it permanently.


With this method, Bailey learned to use his box very quickly. I was so proud of him! The first day I had him home, he was going on blanket-type things too - like the t-shirt that I had in his "safe" box as bedding. Then he was still trying to "bury" it with the t-shirt.



Powered by CGISpy.com
Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 4:56pm

I'd suggest that she take the kitten in to the vet to check for medical problems.


Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Mon, 06-06-2005 - 5:07pm

Well, she just got the kitten last Wednesday, and I know she has a vet appointment already scheduled for this Thursday. So she'll find out if the kitten has any medical reason for not using the litterbox.

** Noelle

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-20-2004
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 3:48am
That's a good idea, but I would also consider sacrificing some cheapo toweling (possibly shop towels, like you get at BJ's or Sam's Club, or an old blanket cut down into litterbox sized

Karen

"A pocketknife is like a melody;
sharp in some places,
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-07-2005
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 8:54am

Just to let everyone know, I received a report this morning, that by yesterday evening, the kitten had started peeing in the litterbox of her own accord! She's a smart little kitty!

** Noelle

Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

Avatar for cl_lcni
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Tue, 06-07-2005 - 4:25pm

Yeah!


Photobucket