Litter Box Training Your Kitten
Litter box training your kitten is a task usually accomplished by your kitten's breeder. During the kitten's first
weeks of life, the mother cares for all the kitten's needs. When food suppliments are added to the kitten's diet, is
the time to start litter box training. There are some very simple rules:
Start your kitten with newspaper only at the bottom of their litter box. Kittens, like human babies, explore their
world using their mouths. What you intended for the litter box may become a snack for your kitten! If your kitten
does eat litter contact your veterinarian for a simple home remedy.
There are many kinds of litter available:
Natural Clay
Scented Clay
Wood Shavings
Clumping Litter
Alfalfa Litters
When the kitten reaches 6-8 weeks of age, ADD a second litter box using either the Natural Clay or Alfalfa
Litters. When your kitten is ready, it will start to select the litter over the newspaper. Very young kittens may
attempt to eat the scented-litters, so avoid using perfumed litters until the kittens are 4 months old. Also, during
playtime, the fine textured clumping litter can get into the kittens' eyes, ears, and nose. The clumping litters are
very effective for keeping conditions sanitary in the litter box. We encourage starting to use the clumping litters at
about 4 months of age.
When changing to a new litter, keep one litter box of the old brand and start a new litter box using the new litter
material. Only when you are sure the kitten is confidently using the new litter then discontinue the old litter. This
helps prevent confusing your kitten and the accidents that may follow an abrupt change. And always make sure
your kitten knows where its litter box is located by gently placing the kitten in it about 5 to 15 minutes after meal
time and then walking quietly away. A litter box with high sides will help keep all the litter in the box. High litter
pan sides, in our opinion provide the best means for cutting down on litter that clings to kitty's feet.
The location you choose for the litter pan is also very important. If your home
has two levels, we recommend a litter box be placed at each level for kittens
under the age of one year or for cats who are old, or recovering from an illness,
or surgery. Select a location that is quiet and easily reached from all quarters
of your home. The ideal site should be away from human and cat eating and
food preparation areas of the home. As some litter invariably leaves on the
kitten's paws, selecting an area that has tile or vinyl coverings is best for quick
clean up. What little comes out of the box can be easily swept away. Bathrooms are great spots but remember if
you are locked inside taking a shower--your cat can't tell you to hurry up because they have to go!
The litter box should be kept in an immaculate condition. Use of litters that diguise ammonia work ok for your
human nose....the box still stinks to your cat's exquisite sense of smell. Cats like to eliminate in a fresh location
each time. Your cleaning schedule should follow your cat's natural cycles. Cleaning up solid waste immediately
after your cat uses the box ensures a fresh and healthy environment. A note of caution: pregnant women should
avoid contact with soiled cat litter. Contact your doctor about specific recommendations on this subject. Always
wash your hands with warm soapy water and rinse well after handling litter boxes, scoops, etc.
Every week give the litter box a thorough cleaning by dumping all the remaining litter into a plastic bag and place
in the trash. Then rinse the pan very well with water. Then add a 5-10% solution of diluted household bleach to
the container and allow to soak for 15 to 30 minutes. DO NOT do this without first rinsing the pan well with water.
This disinfection MUST be done in a well ventilated area as toxic fumes may result from the action of the chlorine
on the urine in the box. Do not attempt to do this process in a bathroom or other small confined space. Outdoors in
a breezy location is best. Make sure the location you choose is not accessible by children and other pets. After the
soak, dump the solution into appropriate receptical and again rinse the box with water and allow to air dry in the
sun. Place 2-4 sheet layer of newspaper in the bottom. This paper prevents litter from sticking to the bottom of the
box at next week's clean up. Then refill the box to the depth of 3 inches if you are using natural clay. Use a 3.5 to 4
inch depth if you are using the clumping litter. Having two boxes for each location in your home allows you to
rotate the boxes from week to week. If you follow this cleaning procedure your home should never have a "urine
odor".
What's in the box? This is frequently overlooked in discussions about litter training, but you should look at what is
in the box. Your kitten's stools are a pretty good indicator of its state of health. Blood, diarrhea, or anything else
that is unusual is good cause for a call to your veterinarian for advice. Call your vet before cleaning the box! The
vet may ask you to bring the stool in for an examination.
The stool also is your "feedback" on the quality of the kitten's diet. A single loose stool or diarrhea is not a cause
for panic; but if the condition persists more than a day without an apparent reason (such as a new food) contact
your veterinarian. Small kittens, like children, can dehydrate very quickly. Some cats develop food allergies that
become apparent via loose stools.
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