New Kitten Litter Box Training

Good Morning All, 

I work in a Home Improvement Store and a stray (not feral) cat had kittens about 5 weeks ago. We couldn't keep the kittens confined any more and it was becoming more dangerous with moving power equipment. We took the kittens and are trying to trap the mom (to get her a good home). The kitten that I brought home is adjusting all but the litter box part. At the store they lived under a shed box and would come out to play and eat. Living under the box that's where they went to the bathroom as well. I have the litter box set up, not close to her food. I have put her in it, moved her paws back in forth to create the digging effect but she has gone twice under the bed. I know have her in a soft sided cage with the litter box and only let her out to eat and have supervised play time. I've spent hours with her even after to she ate to be there when it was time to go potty but I've been unsuccessful. 

I have two other cats and neither one I had to litter train, this little baby is going to be trying to say the least. She has her first kitten wellness visit today and I plan on talking to the vet but thought I'd reach out to other cat folks. 

Please help! I'm a clean freak and can't have this bad habit. 

Basically, the momma cat usually teaches her kittens all about litter training - that's why you didn't experience this issue with your other cats. 5 weeks is awfully young to separate kittens from momma in any case, and as they didn't have access to (or any need for) a litterbox when they were living outside, momma didn't get to teach her kittens about this essential part of indoor living

I suggest that you try Dr Elsy's Kitten Attract litter. It isn't cheap, but it's fantastic for teaching kittens about where they should 'go'. Once the lesson is thoroughly learned, you should be able to gradually phase this out in favour of regular litter. Mopping up her urine with a paper towel and placing that in the box may help give her a hint too, as will placing her poop in the box. Just making the litter smell right can give valuable hints as to the right place to go potty

Make sure you clean up any accidents with an enzymatic cleaner - you need to be sure to remove any trace of the scent to even a kitten's sensitive nose to stop her getting confused.

Stay patient, and she WILL make the connection. It just may take a little time. [article="32366"][/article]

The above advice is great. In addition, do you have tiny litter boxes for her? Multiple boxes? How big is the room you have her in? She's too young to remember to look for the box when she has to go.

Thank You to both of you [emoji]128578[/emoji] . Just bought the new litter so I will keep you posted. Right now she's isolated from my other 2 cats until her vet visit, she gets used to her new surroundings & I have scent swapped to my other 2 cats. She's in my guest room and now confined to the large soft crate which houses her bed, some toys and the litter box. I was giving her free roam but that turned out to be a mistake.

when the kitten goes in an inappropriate spot, if possible when cleaning up, use a paper towel, get it damp with the kitten's urine and put the paper towel in the litter box so some of the kitten's urine scent will be in the box.  .

Good Morning All,
We have success! After buying the kitten attract litter & keeping her inside the soft sides cage she peed after getting home from the vet. Woke up this morning to more pee and poo in the litter box.
Will continue using this litter until she is 100% !
Thank You All [emoji]128578[/emoji]

That's great news

woohoo - awesome news