Litter training kittens

jackientheboys

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Hello!

I've got two orphaned kittens here that I've been caring for over the past 4 weeks, and I have some questions about litter training. The boys turned 4 weeks old on Thursday (June 21st), and I'm a bit concerned, as they are not urinating or defecating on their own yet- I am still having to stimulate them to go. With stimulation, they are having normal urine and bowel movements, they just aren't doing it by themselves. Otherwise, they seem to be healthy kittens. They are eating well (still bottle feeding, though teeth are coming!), gaining weight daily, and are active and playful. Fecal samples were checked, and were negative for intestinal parasites, and they'll start their first round of dewormings on Monday.

I started trying litter box training a few days ago. I have a small pan they are able to get in and out of, and I'll place them in it and scratch their paws in the litter, then try stimulating them while holding them in the box. I know it can take a while for kittens to get the hang of the box, especially without mom to teach them, I'm just concerned about them not going on their own. I check their bedding often, and have not found any urine or stool in it, so I know they really aren't going other than the times I'm stimulating them to.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

-Jackie
 

Willowy

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They are a bit old but not too unusual. Just keep the litterpan available, keep putting them in it and scratching around (especially after meals), at some point their instincts will kick in. Are they eating any solid food yet?
 
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jackientheboys

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That's good to hear. I haven't fostered kittens in a few years, but the ones I had before were litter trained by 4 weeks, so I was a bit concerned.

No, I haven't tried any solid food yet. I have tried formula in a shallow dish to see if they'll drink out of it, but no luck with that yet.
 
 

orientalslave

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Put a shallow dish with some soft food in out and see if they explore into it.  You could also try putting some on their front legs or round their mouths.  What they don't have is a mum to show them food isn't a mortal danger!
 
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jackientheboys

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They will lick formula off their paws/legs (after they've trampled through the dish of formula). All I have at home right now is dry kitten food, and I won't be able to get to the pet store until tomorrow, so I'm soaking the kibble in some warm formula right now. I'll see how they like that.

We have some progress on the litter front this morning, though! Still not going on their own, but they are more interested in the box. They've been going in and out of the box on their own all morning, and playing with the litter.
 
 
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jackientheboys

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Well, that was easy. Both boys just used the box! They had just woken up, so I did their place in box, scratch with paws routine, and they both just walked away as usual. But then, little orange went back in and peed! Then gray followed right after!
 
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