Cat puts her Kittens in the Litter box

I'm experiencing a difficult situation with my cat. The kittens are about a week old and she keeps moving them into the litterbox. I just cleaned out  the basket that she moved them to after the first day. I don't think this is very healthy for the kittens but I'm not sure what I can do. Also she doesn't always bring all of the kittens in there. Currently there are 2 out of 3 in there. I'm worried that kitten might be hungry and cold. I've tried to move her and the kittens back but she drags them back into the litter box. I don't believe that she is teaching them to use the litter box. If you guys can think of anything to help me that would be great. Thank you.

J justakittenmom

Your cat feels safe in the litter box. Is it a covered box? If so, can you take the litter out, line it with soft blankets or old tee shirts, and just let her use it for now. Of course you'll need another box for litter, even if it's cardboard for now.

It is not safe for the kittens to be in the litter though, and at a week old, they are too young to toilet in the box. And you need to make sure that all 3 kittens are together with mom. If one is left alone it will be hungry and cold. Kittens need heat as they can't regulate their body temperature on their own for the first 3 weeks. A sock filled with raw rice and microwaved for 5 minutes will hold heat for 2-3 hours, or a heating pad set on low and placed under the blankets will help for times when mom is not with the kittens.

Let us know how it's going! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

Yes, the litter is not a safe place for a new kitten, and especially scented litter.

If it is clay, the dust will get in their nose, the dust and litter will get in their mouth.

You could put the newspaper pellets for now, but pee and poop is still no place for kittens.

Is this her first litter, or was she a feral cat before you got her?

She is most likely putting them in the litter box for safety.......masking their scent with the litter box smell.

If the litter is fairly clean, but still has some odor to make Mommy feel they are safe, you can put the litter box in a pillow case and lay the kittens on top, and that will protect the babies from the dust, etc. but only a single thin layer if you have to use a sheet. 

Then you will need to provide another litter box for Mommy to use........and pray that she doesn't move the babies to that one.

P.S. If the litter box will fit in a pillow case, put clips to keep the end closed so none can get under the cloth.

Follow the same method if you have to use a sheet.

Remember, only one thin layer of cloth.

And still, the kittens should not be laying on any scented litter.

I will move litter into a different box. I have a litter box that doesn't have a cover I will put the litter in that one. I'll put the blanket in the one she put the kittens in (removing the litter). I'm hoping this will fix the problem. I'm on a computer so I don't think I can post any pictures but I do appreciate the replies. 

Off topic but I think it would be cool if there was a cat site app or just one to talk to people about cats because this is the first cat I've taken care of so I'm new to this stuff. 

You can talk to us on The Cat Site about cats! That is what we are here for! If you save pictures to your computer they can be uploaded using the camera icon. There is also a mobile app that will let you upload photos on a smart phone.

Please feel free to ask questions. Even reading other threads will give you lots of information! [emoji]128522[/emoji]

For sure, we will always be here for you.