training babies

we have two five-week kittens, and are attempting to litter train them. we got them a new box (the one we have for momma has a roof, because she's a nutty digger), and new litter. Sasha won't use theirs, but I thought that the mother was supposed to train them. We're using scoopable for her, and something else for the kittens. They are still quite content just to go on the towel in their room, and not use the box. Any advice?

Mom needs to use the same box and litter as the kittens. You need to keep mom with the babies and only let all have acsess to the one box.

gotcha. thanks!

Originally posted by Michelle
we have two five-week kittens, and are attempting to litter train them. we got them a new box (the one we have for momma has a roof, because she's a nutty digger), and new litter. Sasha won't use theirs, but I thought that the mother was supposed to train them. We're using escapable for her, and something else for the kittens. They are still quite content just to go on the towel in their room, and not use the box. Any advice?

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Hi Michelle,
You might try picking up the kittens and placing them in the litterbox to get them used to it. If the box Momma cat is using is too high for them to access then she can't possibly train them as they have no idea what she is doing and can't get in if they wanted to. Take a low side cardboard box or buy a small plastic one from K-Mart or WalMart, or where ever, and put litter in it for training purposes. Mom will use it as well and you may have a bit of a mess with her covering habits but the kittens will see, learn and be able to emulate.

Pete

You could try taking their little poops off the towel and putting them in the litter box to give it their scent. Then show them that the poops are in there, and move their little paws in a burying action in the litter. That's how I trained Alex when he was seperated from his mom and brought indoors. He got the idea immediately and didn't have any more accidents.