6 week old kittens will not use litter box -and making a mess! Mama cat is still around.

I am at my wits end.  I have three 6 week old female kittens. Before last night the kittens had the run of my house and seemed to be doing just fine. Mama is still nursing and very attentive to her babies.  As far as I could tell she was still licking their bottoms and eating their poop, even though I've had a litter tray and food out for about a week. Only one of the babies seemed interested in the food until today.  Well.....last night I found a little poop under a rocking chair, then found more poop and pee in the corners of my bedroom YUCK!!! (I like my house very clean).

The kittens have now been sequestered in my bathroom since yesterday.   Plenty of food, water and attention - mama cat with them a lot. The problem is that the kittens are still pooping/peeing on the carpeted floor!  I have put them in the litter box multiple times and moved their paws and they just jump out.  I even bought Cat Attract litter today, and though they stay in there longer now, they still will not use it. They seem to want to eat the litter though . I've waited until they are done eating and put them in the litter box . I put their poop in there so they know where it goes.  BUT NO LUCK.

I've had two kittens in my life - 7-8 weeks. For both, I moved their paws in the litter one time, and they were trained!  I don't know what's going on with these three b/c they don't seem to get it.

Looking for suggestions. TIA!

Does the mom use the same litter box? Hopefully they will learn from her. They are still very young though, so it may take some more time. Some kittens take longer than others to figure it out. Oh, and since they are still in the curious eat everything stage, any clumping litter is a bad idea. Instead of Cat Attract, try Kitten Attract which is similar but non clumping.

I mistyped - it is Kitten Attract.  Mom's litterbox is right next to theirs, larger and hooded.  I am using a disposable 9x13 cake pan for the kittens.

Just give themtime find their tell on them about to use the bathroom and put them in the litterbox . Between buddy 5 month old kitten watching his mom when he waz little and me and my bf figuring out his tell ( meowing out of nowhere) and putting him in his moms litter.box ( had no room for another box) he learned sithin a couple days, look for theid tell

Within not sithin

 In a room,  I would  put a few short sided boxes  in different places -- like in the corners .   Try to watch them a lot and if you see a kitten sniffing round in the corner  pick her up and put her in the box.     Also put the kittens in the box shortly after meals. 

 I think  part of the problem may be the carpeting. it's soft  and they tend to like to go on soft surfaces.   also it is harder to clean so that the kittens can't still smell it. 

 In the Kitten Attract it has a brochure ( or should) that tells how to clean up cat urine and about training cats and kittens to use the litter box.  .  So check that out if you haven't.   

 If this doesn't work confining them to one small room,   get a giant size dog cage,   with room for litterbox,  a bed and food and water and put some kind of thing for them to climb on and some toys.    Clean up vigilantly. with an enzyme based cleaner for cleaning  cat messes.  Check the bedding a few times a day and change if it is dirty and launder in hot water and bleach. 

If they go on the floor clean it up and put a little bit in the litter box. ( if they pee on the floor soak up with paper towel and tear a small piece of it and put in the litter)    so they know that's what it is for. 

It is not abnormal it can take them a while to learn.  That's part of the territory when it comes to raising kittens. Some kittens are quicker than others to learn and some litters are quicker than others.     I do know this phase is frustrating! 

So, I covered half the bathroom with wet pads (thank goodness for keeping baby stuff) and towels so it their accidents wouldn't ruin my carpet.  Don't know why I didn't think of that sooner!

Had some success today - I came home from work and there was some poop on the towels but it was obvious that  they had used the litter box as well!  Both pee and poop in there.  Not sure which kitty is missing the box - hopefully she will figure it out soon.

Does anyone have a specific enzyme cleaner to recommend?

http://www.nokout.com/How-to-remove-Urine-Odors.html

 good to hear they're starting to catch on!