Kitten not using litter box

So last Saturday we rescued two stray kittens (litter mates) from someone who had a female cat have them in his backyard. One kitten has settled in beautifully and is using the litter box consistently, the other one is not. The kitten who is not using the litter box is skittish and hides. He consistently poops and pees right by our front door. I placed a litter box right there with the hopes that he would use it. He does not. I have placed him in the litter box and even used his paw to scratch the litter. We have bought several litter boxes, special cat attract litter, pheromone diffusers, enzymatic cleaners and still he refuses to use the litter box. What gives? My husband says if he's not litter trained by Saturday we may have to rehome him. I have two small kids and work full time. This issue is causing me a lot of anxiety because in my life of owning dogs and cats and other pets I have never rehomed a pet, nor is that the message I want to send my kids. My husband thinks our loud and crazy house is stressing this kitten out and that he'd be happier in a quiet home... Please help.

That is super-annoying, I know, but give him more time. He may be skittish, as you say, and he may be frightened of all these new changes and may not want to spend the time in the litter box. I hope it works out as it would sad to separate him from his sibling.

Cats will often refuse to use the litter box if it isn’t kept clean. For some cats this means cleaning out the box after each use, for others once a day is more than enough. If the cat thinks the box is dirty, he may use the area around the box (throw rug, sink or tub), especially if he kicks litter out of the box and it scatters.

Is the litter box covered? Some cats don't like covered boxes. My two cats have covered boxes and don't care, but it really depends on the cat.

Also, did you put them in a separate room for the first few days? He might be feeling overwhelmed having being in new surroundings, even though he has been there for a few days. Another thing, is he stressed?
Maybe put the little guy in the bathroom to help him out. Go and visit him and maybe put his litter mate in there to keep him company. If you want, you can also buy Feliway to calm himself down.

The litter boxEs are open, I clean them after every poop (I'm a little OCD), he likely is stressed, I do have a toddler. I unfortunately, did not put them in a single room to start, we only have one bathroom (which is very busy) and I didn't want the cats in the bedrooms. The bedrooms are closed off and the cats only have access to the living room, dining room, and stairs. I now realize this must have been very overwhelming and a big change. We are making some progress as the grey kitten was caught pooping in the litter box, but then urinated right beside it. Lol. I'm hoping in a day or two we will have this completely solved and my husband will agree that we can keep him (he wasn't entirely sold on the idea of getting cats and especially not two).

Poor little guy.
That's a sort or a good thing.
OH! Are you really cleaning the spots were he urinated? You need to really because he will continue to use those those places where he peed. You want to completely eliminate the odor.Like i said, buy Feliway or look into Jackson Galaxy's Spirit Essence.
Here are some links below that may or may not help you.
http://m.petmd.com/cat/slideshows/training/top-ten-ways-to-stop-peeing-outside-litter-box

http://www.catbehaviorassociates.com/some-common-reasons-why-cats-stop-using-the-litter-box/

http://store.jacksongalaxy.com/Default.asp

shender1 said:

The litter boxEs are open, I clean them after every poop (I'm a little OCD), he likely is stressed, I do have a toddler. I unfortunately, did not put them in a single room to start, we only have one bathroom (which is very busy) and I didn't want the cats in the bedrooms. The bedrooms are closed off and the cats only have access to the living room, dining room, and stairs. I now realize this must have been very overwhelming and a big change. We are making some progress as the grey kitten was caught pooping in the litter box, but then urinated right beside it. Lol. I'm hoping in a day or two we will have this completely solved and my husband will agree that we can keep him (he wasn't entirely sold on the idea of getting cats and especially not two).

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The kitten may not want to poop in the same box as he urinates. Put 2 boxes side by side & see what happens.

Hi everyone, I just wanted to update you on our progress. He's pooping in the litter box consistently but still peeling by the front door. I clean it as soon as possible with nature's miracle, but it's still continuing to pee right there. I have puppy mats down now and when he hasn't scattered them about he will pee on that, but I would really like him to pee in the box. Any ideas?

Wow, that is so strange.
Maybe try getting another litter box and place it down where he is peeing. Hopefully, he will get the hint. I'm so sorry. There are also Feliway from your problem, I believe.

You really need to add another box or two. Also try putting one where he is peeing besides the door.

How old are they? Are they fixed yet?

Two kittens are a lot less work than one in terms of entertainment and behavior. Please don't give up on him!

My kitten was 2 months when I got her. Used dirt/soil at first. She immediately recognised that as the place to pee/poop. Eventually replaced dirt with litter with a top layer of dirt the just litter.
Little guy may not recognise litter box as place to business.

shender1 said:

Hi everyone, I just wanted to update you on our progress. He's pooping in the litter box consistently but still peeling by the front door. I clean it as soon as possible with nature's miracle, but it's still continuing to pee right there. I have puppy mats down now and when he hasn't scattered them about he will pee on that, but I would really like him to pee in the box. Any ideas?

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Did you do what we suggested - more than one box & maybe 2 side by side?