Blind kitten - litter training

Hi, a week ago we adopted a blind kitten from a cat rescue centre - he was found left on a local mountain, tied to a tree. 

He eats well and has grown in confidence, often bouncing from room to room and even up and down the stairs. The only problem is litter training - he seemed to dislike the feel of regular litter and would not stay in the tray. On the advice of a vet, we placed two trays of sand on the floor. To start with, we thought it had worked as he used it twice - but hasn't used it since.

He doesn't have a regular spot, we've had to clean up several times from all areas, on all surfaces - tiles, carpet and wood flooring.

If anyone has any ideas of what to do and how to train him, I'd be most grateful!

Hi, welcome to TCS!  Bless you for adopting a special needs kitten.  I am sorry that I don't have any advice, but I am almost certain someone will. 

Hi! Welcome! I second that! Thank you for taking in this special baby.

Have you tried using Cat Attract litter? It's made by Dr Elsey's and is available at the big box pet stores and from Amazon

http://www.preciouscat.com/cat-attract/

The fact that the cat is blind shouldn't matter too much. He can rely on his sense of smell and once he learns where it is, he should use it as long as it's kept in the same place. Cats are very adaptable.

This article has some information on blind cats. There are several other members here who have them as well

http://www.thecatsite.com/a/blind-cats

Hi, thank you for adopting the little guy.

As @Kat0121  says, he'll rely on his sense of smell to get around. Next time he has an accident put some of the tissue you use to clean up in his litter box so he can smell what he's supposed to do there.

When you clean the floor don't use bleach, as this smells of ammonia and cat's will think that's their pee smell. You need to use an enzyme cleaner that breaks down the smell of cat urine. There are some good ones on the market, if you Google Enzyme Cleaners-Cat you'll see what's available.

Thanks for the comments - much appreciated! I'm ordering the Dr. Elsey's litter tonight.
We knew it wouldn't be straight forward after having other cats but young Tigger Tails just doesn't seem to grasp the concept of a litter tray. We've tried to "scent" his litter with his slip-ups but no use. Tried Precious Cat Litter Attractant but he sniffed it and walked away. He's a sweet little thing, just really need to sort out this issue...

Is that him?! He looks like such a sweet boy! 

Thank you for taking care of him when I'm sure most people wouldn't. Please continue to not give up on him   

Yep, that's Tigger + he is, everyone has fallen in love with him, even the neighbours!
Certainly won't be giving up on him - he's here for life, just desperate to get him litter-training...

Maybe you could keep him confined to one room while he is getting used to the idea of using a litter box. If he's got the run of the house and isn't sure where his boxes are now he might be having accidents because he can't make it on time. Kittens are a bit like little kids when it comes to bladder control.

If you set up one room as his cat room, with his bed and cat tree and toys etc, you could put a litter box in every corner until he starts using them regularly.

I guess your vet has already checked for a UTI? Is his tail fully mobile? No sign of any numbness or lack of co-ordination in his tail or back legs?

Yep, fully checked out be a vet - the only problem he has is a lack of retinal development... :-(
He stays in the kitchen at night and while we're at work in the day. He has lots of 'noisy toys' which he has no interest in, but does like to play with a sock...
If he could only get the idea of the litter tray, he's have the run of the house. Right now he has a sand litter and a regular one but just won't use either - really struggling!

I would consider confining him to a much smaller area.  Maybe the kitchen is just too much room?  (I'm thinking of a large crate, small bathroom, small laundry room, etc.) You could even make a fairly large portion of THAT real estate into a couple litter boxes.  Then IF he'll use them, gradually make his area  bigger and allow him more freedom.  Since he can't see, does he climb over a gate?  You could use that if it confines him.

 he was found left on a local mountain, tied to a tree.

Click to expand...

I'm thinking, for a blind kitten, this must have not been such a great experience. Plus: mountain, tree.. Lots of soil..! Very similar to the "sand" we use for litter boxes.. Maybe this is something he learned to "hate" and "avoid"? That's why maybe he doesn't go near it that much, or isn't interested in using it. 
Usually kittens, visit the sand litter box by scent, instictively to "do their business". That's how mother nature teaches them and (to the most fortunate ones) their momma trained them.

This little guy, may have linked "soil / sand" to something ugly..

The first effort I would make, if I were you, would be to confine him close to the space where his litter is placed, a while after he has had a meal.. That's the time they need to go to the bathroom, especially if they are still pretty young. Wouldn't let him out, or near the other places he's urinated by mistake. I would make sure the litter is clean, with "fresh" sand (not a "scented" sand - most cats in my experience hate them) and try to lead him over there, or even put him inside the box and let him take it from there. Depending on his 1st reaction, you'll see what your next moves might be, according to "trial and error" 

If he "hits the spot", give him a reward (favorite treat, or something he would move heaven and earth to eat, but you don't allow him so much - your call). Praise him while he does it, but not too much 'cause he might get a bit, "interrupted" LOL

I also, wouldn't force him too much to stay in the confined space for too long, because he might interpret it as a "punishment". As something "not pleasing". Cats don't like confinement that much. So, it might make him avoid the litter space even more. Plus, they don't like to stay too long in the same space with a freshly used litter (?)..
Heck, I'm thinking no one does!   

Lastly, I will suggest you clean thoroughly the areas he's urinated by mistake. Either with a specialized cleaning formula, or with white vinegar and baking soda (I personally use the latter for the rare "accidents" I've had and it works splendid).

Hope I have helped a bit

p.s. 

 for rescuing this poor soul 

I must admit, I'm really quite touched by all the comments and advice - thank you! [emoji]128513[/emoji]
I'm off today to get a cage/crate as suggested (also, a vet said the same thing yesterday). We'll try confining him and see if that helps.... Although I already feel guilty about locking him in the kitchen when we're not around - especially when my daughter goes to bed and he scratches at her door!
He loves to wander and knows his way around, always playing and loves to be cuddled - he really is the sweetest little thing! [emoji]128522[/emoji]
My "other half" has even made a Facebook page for him - may be crazy but she's just "totally in love with him!"....
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=792160447547934
Again - many thanks [emoji]128512[/emoji]

Yes, I understand how you must feel about keeping him in the kitchen, but up until now, what could you do? Follow the vet's advice and see what happens. Hopefully, if this habbit of his gets  corrected, he won't have to be locked up all day long 

When they scratch on the doors, they also make the saddest "meows" and THAT actually breaks my heart! 

Anyway, good luck on your mission!

He's got the most feeble, pitiful "meow" - instant heart-wrench! Lol
We're guessing he was separated from his mum too soon as he doesn't clean himself but he does seem to like getting washed + brushed. Picking up a cage today but he did use one of the litter trays last night..... Just a "number 1" though - "number 2" was on the floor!
It's an ongoing battle but he'll get there. [emoji]9786[/emoji]

If he was separated form his Mum too soon he might not have been taught proper litter box etiquette. Does he bury his poop? Next time he's been fed, pick him up and place him in the litter box and scratch around in the litter. It might help to gently take his front paw and scrape a hole in the litter. Maybe he doesn't realise he's supposed to bury it.

My thoughts exactly @Norachan!

He didn't have the time to properly be trained by momma cat. Plus he was found in the state he was found.. I think @Ashley Lewis  needs to be momma cat for a while! 

 

I wish Ashley a great deal of patience and everything will turn out to be fine in the end. Tiger needs some quality training time with his new parents 

 

He doesn't bury, just tends to squat when nobody's looking... I'll follow your advice and try to teach him to scratch the litter - thank you!
Ok - sadly, I have a confession to make... Although I've had lots of advice about using a cage, we still haven't tried it. The reason is probably a bit daft but I'll try to explain...
I've buried three cats in the last two years - Mozz was nearly 20 and the vet said it was best to let her sleep, Olly was hit by a car a day before his first birthday so we said no more cats. A few weeks later, just as we were getting used to the house being strangely quiet, "Brie" turned up. She was very thin and covered in fleas but just wouldn't leave our garden. After calling on all the local houses, checking all the animal rescue centres, social media and all the nearby vets to try to find her owners we figured she was staying with us. After a few months of great times, she strayed onto a road and was hit by a car also.
We all broke our hearts - three times. The decision was made - definitely no more cats...
Until I met a lady who runs a cat rescue. I explained + she suggested a house cat - it seemed cruel to keep a cat indoors so I said no. Some days later, she called to say they found Tigger and he couldn't be allowed outside on his own as he was blind.
Naturally, we all melted and he moved in. I struggle with locking him in the kitchen when we go to work + school. It may sound daft, but I just can't confine him to a cage! I know it's for his own good, but he loves to wander and I feel so sorry for him already as he's alone in the day and at night.
I'm really struggling with the cage idea - not sure if I'm being being over-emotional?!?
(By the way, he chose to use the litter a few times for 'no. 1's in the last couple of days!)

I'm so sorry to hear about your other cats.

I grew up with indoor-outdoor cats and so I really didn't want to keep mine inside either, but after losing 2 of the best cats ever within 18 months of each other I realised that it's just not safe for cats to roam around freely. It was different when I was growing up. Less cars, less people, less use of rat poison, pesticides and all the other things that can hurt a cat. Unfortunately the world is changing and there are just too many dangers out there now.

I recently moved to a place where I could make a big outdoor enclosure for my cats. They're happy and I don't have to worry so much.

I know that keeping a cat in a cage sounds cruel, but they don't react in the same way as we do to limited space. Cats feel safer in enclosed spaces. When you're not home he probably finds a tiny corner to curl up in and fall asleep. At the moment most of my cats are in their favourite hiding places at the back of the closet or in the cat beds under my bed, snoring away. Like most small predators, their instinct tells them to find a safe spot and sleep when they're not hunting. You don't have to keep him in a cage 24/7. Just put him in there when you are out and can't supervise him. He'll still get lots of play time and attention when you're home and he'll have less chance of having another accident while you're out.