Teaching Your Kitten Where to Go
Providing a suitable litter box that is accessible and clean, and teaching your new kitten how to use it is an
important part her introduction to your home. Here are a few helpful tips:
- Introducing the Litter Box: The litter box should be placed in a quiet area that is easily accessible to the
new kitten. (Note: Do not place a litter box near your cat’s food and water bowls or close to where she sleeps.
Some cats refuse to use the box if it is close to these areas). Show the kitten the box and if necessary, gently place her inside.
If she eliminates, praise her quietly. If she merely steps back out and begins to explore again, follow her quietly and supervise
her activity.
- Ensuring that your Cat is Using the Box: Continue to place your kitten in the litter box every few hours until you observe her
finding and using the box on her own. If your kitten has access to most of your home, she will not be familiarized with the entire
living area and so may “get lost” trying to find her box. Therefore, whenever she cannot be supervised, confine her to a room or
large crate that contains a litter box to prevent accidents.
- Patience, Patience, Patience! While many kittens readily use their box and are able to locate it from anywhere in the house
almost immediately, others may take several days or weeks before they are reliable.
- Keeping the Litter Box Clean: A dirty litter box is a common cause of litter box problems in pet cats. Keeping the box clean
can prevent house soiling from developing and provides your cat with a reliably clean place to eliminate. When scoopable litter
is used, the box should be scooped daily and the litter should be replaced weekly. The litter box itself should be cleaned and
disinfected on a regular basis to remove odors.
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