Kittens won't use litter box!

My dads outside/inside cat got pregnant at the beginning of the summer and now we have 3 precious 6 week old kittens. We introduced the litter box last week and they refuse to use it. One sniffs at it for a few seconds and then jumps right out. It doesn't seem like it's too high for them to get in and out of and the litter my dad got is arm and hammer multi cat. I don't know if the scent is too strong or if they just don't like the feel of the litter. They won't even scratch at it! They've started eating kitten food so now they are not only peeing everywhere in the floor or bed but also pooping! I don't know what I should do. Their mother is great at using the litter box and they watch her but they have no interest in using the box. I put them in the box after eating, sleeping, and playing but they just jump out. Tonight I have confined them to the bathroom with 2 boxes, food on the other side of the room, and their bed. Does anyone have any suggestion on what I should do or what I'm doing wrong?

I have been hand rearing 5 five week olf kittens and when I started litter training them I checked their pento see where they were choosing to wee and thats where the litter box went, we originally started with two boxes but they would only use one so just have one now. It sounds strange but if you can pick up some of their poo and put it in the tray that will help give them the idea, same if you can catch one having a wee pick it up quick and get it in the tray so that scent goes in there.
Maybe they dont like the feel of the litter? We use wood pellet litter which has been fab for mine. Good luck they will get it eventually!

You need to use a non-clumping litter.  the kittens may try to eat it and the clumping can block up  their insides.

You may find some useful hints in this article.

 [article="32366"]How To Solve Litterbox Problems In Cats The Ultimate Guide​[/article]  

I think confining them for now is a fantastic idea! This usually will help with the problem.

Putting some of their poop in the box will also help.

As soon as one kitten begins using the litter box (and one will now that they are confined), the others will follow over a period of time.

Cats naturally want to dig and cover, and they especially like to be clean, so hopefully their instincts will begin to emerge while they are confined.

Once one or two get the hang of it, remove those kittens from the bathroom and set up a separate box for them right next to mom's big box.

Please let us know how it goes.

Well neither of them used it at all last night and then my sister let them roam around some this morning and one peed on a towel. My parents told me that they've never had trouble with the litter box like this. They got Kitty (the kittens mother) when she was 6 weeks old, stuck her in the litter box and she automatically went and they've never had a problem with her. I'm suppose to be taking 2 of the kittens with me when I move into my apartment but after researching a lot, I know 6 weeks is way too young and I'm planning on waiting a few more weeks especially since they haven't gotten the hang of the litter box yet. I've been thinking about getting that cat attract litter that I keep running across on the internet but it's so expensive and I don't want to risk it not working.

They will learn to use the litterbox eventually, but I thought they were going to stay in the bathroom for a full 24 hours.

Six weeks is much too young. They ideally should stay together for a good 12 weeks before you take two of them.

My sister took them out without consent and I have everyone under strict orders not to now. I'll let you know tomorrow if they have even attempted to use the litter box. Is it a good idea to let their mommy in with them? I did last night and we let her in and out as she pleased whenever we would hear her meowing or scratching at the door.

Absolutely let their mom in. They need her and she needs to be with them, but they need a small space so they can learn to use the pan. I hope it goes better this time!

They are playing by box so maybe that's a good sign?

Let's hope so! They are right in the age zone where this should kick in!

Thank you for your advice! I really appreciate it and will keep you updated. I don't have any experience with kittens so it's good to know their are sites and people like this to help.

I just peeked inside the bathroom and there is a little pee spot in the smaller box! Which is so exciting! I don't know which one it was but it's a start. [emoji]128513[/emoji]

There you go!

Just give it time!

Just letting you all know that my kittens are now running around and going back to the bathroom to the potty! I'm so excited!!

Hurray!

Thanks for letting us know. I figured they would catch on!