Kitten Potty Training?

I was told that the kittens would mimic their mom and potty in the litter pan. But I keep finding little poos all over the floor and even on some clothing I had on a low shelf. I wash/scrubbed everything, at first I thought it was an accident I mean babies have accidents, but it keeps happening in the same places every morning I find messes. Two different spot on opposite sides of the bedroom we're keeping them in. I'm really not sure what to do, move the litter box to where they're messing? Put them in the kitty cage at night with the litter pan? Hope they figure out the right spot? Mama and at least one, I've seen, go in the litter box. I'm kind of afraid to look under the bed now, which is where they hang out.

Is there anything I can do to deter them from pooing on the floor or encourage them to potty in the litter pan?

They do, but maybe there is something they don't like about the current arrangements?  Also to start with they tend to need to go Right Now, just like human babies, and can't make it to the litter tray.

How many kittens, how old, how many litter trays in what sort of size area?

OrientalSlave said:

They do, but maybe there is something they don't like about the current arrangements?  Also to start with they tend to need to go Right Now, just like human babies, and can't make it to the litter tray.

How many kittens, how old, how many litter trays in what sort of size area?

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I thought that, and it explains one area. But it's like they are going to that particular area on the other side of the room, it's not an area I see them in regularly. Does that make sense?

6 kittens plus mom, I don't know for sure age but 5-7 weeks is my best guess, and 1 tray we're going to get a second this weekend, in an 8x8ft room.

I feel that you need more trays - you don't say how large they are - and maybe a covered one.  I would certainly put a tray where they are going.

It's a big one not sure how big though. Like I said, I already planned on getting another one, hopefully that will help.
 

I keep kittens contained until they are litter trained, no free roaming or they will find somewhere else. I also use several trays in the kitten pen and they're trained by 4 weeks.

If you must keep them free in the room, provide 6 or so trays around the room for them.

We only have a small cage big enough for two cats. It's to crowded they only have free range in the bedroom. There's not enough room for that many boxes either, twos really the max we can fit in there.They were strays to begin with so... I'm not sure what they know and don't.

Would have thought that unless they are very large trays you could fit more in an 8' x 8' bedroom - or does it have a lot beyond a single bed in?

Mum is presumably using the tray? 

We have them in our bedroom there's a queen size bed, dressers, catcage, shelves, and all my hubby's stuff in there. We've kitten proofed it so there's nothing they can eat that will hurt them. I'm still learning as I go with these guys so I had to make adjustments as I find problems because they are curious little buggers.

Oh and I didn't find any messes when I got up this morning.

The best luck I have had with litter training kittens is using Dr. Elsey's kitten attract litter. They sell it at Petsmart and Petco where I am in the Western US but if you can't find it you can order it online. You need to watch them very closely at first because it is a clay based litter and if they eat too much of it it can block their intestinal track. But, if they don't eat it, I swear it has magical properties every kitten I have used it with has been accident free after I showed it to them. At one point I had 6 foster kittens plus mom and my resident cat with the kittens having litterbox problems. I put the kitten attract in one of the 7 boxes I had and every cat, including mine, would only use that one box. 

Other suggestions in the meantime: maybe get some small sized boxes and spread those around the room as best you can (mine fosters are also only confined to one room so I know it's tricky but it can be done) Some kittens don't like climbing in and out of the regular sized box. I would also get some puppy wee-wee pads and put those in the places where they are having accidents if you can't put a box there. Makes cleanup much easier. 

Side note: Dr. Elsely's also makes a cat attractant that you sprinkle on top of litter. I have tried it as well but don't find it nearly as effective. 

Good luck!

Try finding a refrigerator box or other large rectangular box with sides high enough that they can't jump out of, but mom can (with a fridge box you'd put it on its side and cut the wall on the top off); put a litter box or two at one end and some food and water at the other end - if you're not feeding them by now, you should be, at least a little kitten kibble for them to chew on as they're weaned.  Put them in the box at night, or just keep them in it for a couple of days.  Also, if they're actively eating the kibble (you can soak some of it in water and they might eat more), you can put them into a litterbox right after they're done eating.

You may be able to build a large enough box by cutting several boxes and taping them securely together, if you can't find one big box.

Thanks for all the advice! We put three boxes in the room and haven't had any more accident. Yay!