problem litter box training kitten

[briannas auntie]

2 weeks ago, my friend brought over a 2 week old kitten, who's mother rejected when she got sick.  I bottle fed him kitten formula and he recently started eating solid foods and drinking water on his own.

The one problem I am having is litter box training him.  I have tried putting him in the litter box after he gets done eating, and whenever I see him looking like he's about to pee somewhere, but it hasn't help.  i even tried to put his stools in the box, thinking that he'd get the idea that that's where they are supposed to go (not on the carpet), but no luck.  I am currently using a small litter box and that Worlds Best Cat Litter that's made of corn.

He is perfectly healthy other than this little problem.  Its getting frustrating having to clean up my carpet or tile floor constantly because he is peeing and pooping all over it.  Could this problem be caused by him being orphaned? Do they get the hang of litter box use as they get older?

Jessie

[babygirlie]

how old is he? Kittens start using a box at about 4-5 weeks of age. And yes the box should be kept dirty within reason

[briannas auntie]

Originally Posted by babygirlie 

how old is he? Kittens start using a box at about 4-5 weeks of age. And yes the box should be kept dirty within reason

Tigger is 4 weeks old.  He is starting to eat solid foods, but i just wish he would learn to use the litter box, because i am afraid if this keeps up, he will think that he can pee and poop everywhere and anywhere he pleases.

Jessie

[babygirlie]

he is just a baby. Give him a few weeks to fully understand. He should still be nursing but he can't. He's extremely young.. just give him a few more weeks

[briannas auntie]

Thanks for the helpful advice.  I assumed that the article i read online about kittens should start getting used to using a litter box at 4 weeks old was good.  Well, I guess Tigger is like toddlers: they train at their own pace.

He is sitting in the litter box longer, but still won't go in the box.  He will only poop near my computer table, and pee in the kitchen or on my bedpad when I put him on my bed for the night.

I will give it a couple more weeks.

Jessie

[babygirlie]

I made a nursery bedroom for my kittens. At 4 weeks one would use the litter box out of 5 the rest would go in their bed (one of those doggy pop up tents) or mom would eat it. At 10 weeks now no one has had a single accident and I did nothing but leave a litter pan out. I actually used a metal throw away pie pan from the dollar store until they could reach the big one lol. It was rectangular shaped.  I think by 6 weeks there were no longer too many accidents and the need for clean bedding everyday.

I also have a kitten tent made by sturdi and their box would be in there with a puppy pad under it and I would zip them up at night in it if they were in the living room. It looks just like a real tent only tiny. Actually my daughter was crawling in it and playing so it's not TINY

[Arduinna]

I don't know, but my kittens hate Worlds Best cat litter for some reason and will only use clay litters. Maybe you should try a second box with a different litter? Does he even scratch in the Worlds Best? 

[vtechmom]

Yep, I'd look at your litter.  I've yet to have a very young kitten agree to use that litter even though it's the litter that I prefer and that my adult cats use.

My last bottle raised kitten was an absolute horror about getting to use the litter box.  I finally broke down and bought Kitten Attract litter for her and that did the trick right away.  After a couple of weeks I was able to change her over to just a regular clay litter.  I still can't get her to use the World's Best litter though and she's over a year old now.  I've just resigned myself to having a picky cat and having to use the litter that she prefers.  I'd rather change to clay litter than have a cat that doesn't use the litter box at all.