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Posted by Topic subject:   Need advice desperately on kitten & litter training
charliee143
New Member

Posts: 1
From:Chester, Cheshire, UK
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-02-2003 11:14 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for charliee143   Click Here to Email charliee143     Edit/Delete Message
Hi everyone. I took in an eight-week old moggie kitten last week from a rescue centre, who I've called Jack. The centre told me he was fully litter trained, so my boyfriend and I quite happily took him home. I placed his litter tray right next to his bed, showed him where it was and settled down for the first night with him in our bedroom where I can keep an eye on him. We woke to find he was cowering in the corner of the room, shivering, and had excreted in his bed. Since then, we have tried to get him used to the tray, but Jack kept weeing and pooing in corners, or anywhere he could find. I rang the centre back up and they told me he had been litter trained with sawdust as a filler. So, Chris and I trotted down the nearest pet store and bought sawdust. Still, Jack can't seem to understand the concept of the litter tray. We have caught him 'mid-flow' on various occasions and managed to get him to finish in the tray. Today we bought a normal litter filler made from clay. Jack is flourishing into a gorgeous playful youngster and we love him so much, we just really need some advice on the toilet situation! Is it just a matter of time and perserverance? Anyone any ideas? Please get in touch, even if it's just to tell me about your past experiences and your opinions! Thanks

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Greypaw
Member

Posts: 54
From:New Zealand
Registered: May 2003

posted 06-03-2003 01:20 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Greypaw     Edit/Delete Message
Hi

First of all congrats on getting your new kitten!

There are some simple rules with litter training that you may find helpful. First of all cats a very clean animals and do not like to do toilet in nest areas. Nest areas are for sleeping and eating, and by putting his litter tray next to his bed you have confused the poor mite.

Try putting his litter tray well away from his bed (at least several feet). Put bowls of food in all of the areas he has otherwise has chosen to use for toileting to change those areas into nest areas. After a week of no more accidents you can remove the bowls.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.
Greypaw

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Isis
Member

Posts: 138
From:UK
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 06-03-2003 11:47 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Isis     Edit/Delete Message
Some cats are really picky about the litter they use. You could try dirt from the back yard, some cats prefer that and its pretty economical too.
Also if you start collecting one or two of his little messes and put them in his tray for him so he can 'smell' where to go you might help him out.
Make sure you clean the floor where he has gone by accident throughly to get rid of any trace smell, a citrus smell is good, as this will discourage him from going in their again.

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taniaco
New Member

Posts: 5
From:Somerville, MA 02143
Registered: Jun 2003

posted 06-04-2003 05:54 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for taniaco     Edit/Delete Message
Other thing that might work would be to get a wet rag after the kitten has eaten and wipe their bum with it. I know this sounds gross but it is not that bad. It helps stimulate peeing and then you can put them in the litter and they will realize that that is where they need to go to the bathroom. I did this for about a week with my kittens and it worked. Also make sure to keep the litter box in the same place because they can be easily confused.

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Auspetian

Administrator

Posts: 197
From:Sydney
Registered: Jul 2002

posted 07-29-2003 10:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Auspetian   Click Here to Email Auspetian     Edit/Delete Message
From a young age, cats have a strong instinct to void in sand or soil. Typically, cats dig to prepare a shallow hole. More digging follows to cover its waste. Cats exhibit a wide range of normal behavior relating to elimination. Some normal cats do not cover waste, while other dig enthusiastically before and after voiding. They often prefer a specific litter box location and type of litter. To encourage kittens to use the litter, gently place the kitten in the pan soon after each meal. If the kitten has had an "accident" outside the box, simply place the mess in the box to help the kitten make the desired association. Punishment is never necessary, as kittens usually learn quickly. Avoid disturbing your cat while it is using the box and never punish it for any reason when it is near the box.

The Litter Box and Litter Material

Many types of litter boxes and litter material are available to cat owners. Litter boxes or pans are generally rectangular plastic containers. The box size should be large enough to comfortably accommodate an adult cat. The sides of the pan should be low enough for easy access by a kitten or an ailing adult cat. (For these cats, you may consider replacing a standard litter pan with any other suitable container.)

Covered litter boxes are available in a variety of styles and may substantially reduce odors. Some litter covers have charcoal filters that further reduce odor. You can purchase a litter pan without a cover, but ask whether a cover may later be added, just in case.

A standard covered box required the cat to step into an opening in the cover’s front. Other models require the cat to enter and exit through an elevated and inclined opening. The top portion of a covered box can also be removed and placed upside down as an alternative litter pan for cats that tend to void over the edges or are unsteady because of age or illness.

Cats are not born with an instinct to eliminate on unnatural litter filler. Their natural choice is sand or soil. A wide variety of litter filler is marketed to attract the cat owner. In choosing a litter filler, consider first and foremost what your cat prefers.

Some cats may have no preference, while others are surprisingly choosy. It is probably best to begin with a product that is basic and simple. The dust or scent of perfumed or deodorizing filler materials may be disturbing to some cats. Others may prefer fine sand-like filler or even shredded newspaper.

If you decide to try a new brand, your cat might adjust more smoothly if the 2 litters are mixed for a time.

Care of Litter Boxes

The most important thing to encourage litter box use is cleanliness. Cats are very clean animals that avoid foul-smelling and damp places. Consider not what you think is clean, but what your cat considers acceptable. Change the litter completely and frequently at regular intervals, using the manufacturer’s recommendation as a guideline. Each cat has its own tolerance of litter box contamination and may avoid using the box if it is too dirty. As a rule of thumb, provide one litter pan for every cat in your household. If you have more than one litter box, you may find that some are used more than others. This may reflect your cats’ preference for location or dissatisfaction with litter hygiene, suggesting that you should reconsider box placement or change the litter more often. Cats in multi-cat households often share litter boxes, but some are less tolerant of soiled boxes. Though you may have several boxes in your home, you must keep them clean to ensure their regular use.

Litter Box Location

Cats prefer to eliminate in boxes that are placed in a quiet location, such as a corner away from busy areas. Place the litter pan well away from a food dish or water bowl. It is also important to never block access the litter box. Consider placing an additional box at a different location.

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