How to Litter Train a Kitten

Step 1: Pick the Right Litter Box

According to cat science, if they fit, they sit. This applies to all boxes, including litter boxes. So, make sure there’s enough room for your kitten to walk in, turn around and squat without hitting the box’s walls. But that’s not all that goes into choosing a litter box. For example, the box also needs to be on the shallow side for easy entry and exits.

As for deciding between a covered and uncovered litter box, either one is fine. It really is just a matter of personal preference for you and your kitten.

Step 2: Choose a Kitten-Safe Litter

Litter training can start when kittens are about 4 weeks old. When they’re that young, kittens tend to put everything in their mouths. That’s why you should go with natural, unscented litter.

Products with fragrances and harsh chemicals can be toxic and dangerous if ingested. Furthermore, stay away from clumping litter because if your kitten does swallow some, it could harden in their stomach. Clumping litter is okay once your kitten is at least 2 to 3 months old and has gotten used to their litter box.

Once you decide on something, stick with it. Switching around litter could confuse and discourage your kitty from using a box.

Step 3: Find Good Places for the Litter Boxes

Unless you want little surprises around your home, don’t put litter boxes in out-of-the-way places like closets and corners. The last thing any cat wants to feel is trapped when it’s potty time. What they want is a place that’s quiet, easy to find and see, and without a lot of foot traffic or distractions. And if you live in a multi-level home, put one or more litter box on each floor.

Step 4: Go on Litter Box Dates

As part of your litter training duties, show your kitten where every box is and put them in each one. Some kittens will start pawing at the litter or even immediately go to the bathroom. If they’re potty shy, show them what to do by running your fingers through clean litter. If they’re still having performance anxiety, bring your kitty to one of the litter boxes every time they eat, drink or wake up. They’ll eventually put number one and two together.

Whenever they successfully use a box, reward them with a treat to positively reinforce desired bathroom habits. And if they make a mistake, don’t get mad. Just stay calm and clean up the mess. Scare tactics are not how to litter train a kitten.

Step 5: Keep Each Litter Box Clean

Even as kittens, cats are clean freaks. Every time yours uses their litter box, scoop out what they left behind. If you don’t, they’ll stop using the box. Since cats like to dig and bury things, replace what you scooped out with enough clean litter to keep the litter depth at 2 to 3 inches. You can reduce the scooping to once a day when your kitten gets older and uses their box more regularly.

Step 6: Address Litter Training Issues Early

When it comes to litter training kittens, thinking “outside the box” isn’t necessarily a good thing.

Some reasons why your cat may not be using their litter box can include:

• The “wrong” litter – If you see things like your kitty not covering up their pee and poo or shaking their feet upon contact with the litter, these are early signs they don’t like the litter.
• Bad location – The litter box could be in a place they find unfriendly, inaccessible or too confining.
• Not the right box – The litter box could be too big or small for them. If you’re using a covered box, they might prefer an uncovered one (or vice-versa). At this point, it’s all trial and error.
• Other cats – Kitties can get territorial about their boxes and refuse to use someone else’s. Good thing you have that extra litter box, right?

Another possibility is your kitten may have a medical issue. If you suspect the problem could be health-related or just want to be sure it’s nothing serious, go see your veterinarian. While issues like parasites and urinary tract infections are rare with kittens, they can happen.

Step 7: Give Yourself a Head Start

Now that you know what you need, try to purchase your litter supplies before you bring a kitten home. You’ll find everything for almost every possible scenario at Pet Supplies Plus.

This includes:

• Litter Boxes
• Box Liners
• Litter Mats
• Litter Filters (for covered boxes)
• Kitty Litter
• Pans & Scoops
• Deodorizers
• Reward Treats

In a perfect world, your kitten would just know how to use a litter box. Until we can go to that place, help them by choosing the right box and litter. Put boxes in good locations. Introduce them to those boxes. Keep their boxes clean and take care of litter training problems early. Don’t just be a cat parent. Be the laser pointer showing them the way.