8 wk. kitten litter box problem

Having a problem with an 8 wk. old kitten and her litter box. She can't seem to remember to use her litter box sometimes or make it there herself. Either I put her in it and make her stay there until she does her job, or I watch for signs that she might need to go and take her there. She has used it on her own (as in going there herself) but not all of the time. Any tips?
Her litterbox is clean and she is the only cat with access to it (other cat is kept separated from her for now since she's new in the house).

Please help.

Thanks,
Janice

Janice,

Your kitty is to young to understand litter box. Mom cat should have taught her how to use the box but apparently didn't get the chance. Your second cat is the best teacher for her now. Forcing her to stay in the box, will only frustrate you and her. Feed her, put newspaper down to catch accidents, and just let her get older. Once she sees your other cat using the litter pan she will follow suit.

Well, I've kept her separated from my other cat so far. We've only had her about 1 week. I live with my parents and we have my 1 cat that is about 6 1/2 yrs. old. (she is spayed & never had any kittens), and she has been the only cat in the house since I've had her, until now. We've only let her look at the kitten a few times so far, because we wanted to make sure she didn't try to hurt her and she hissed and growled the first time and the 2nd time just hissed. ; ) I was trying to keep them separated in hopes that my older cat would eventually tolerate her and then befriend her. We were letting her run around the house (both cats in separate sections, and rotating them when needed), but am thinking we should limit her until she grasps the litter box concept. My mother brought her home and is now frustrating because she peed on her couch twice (new couches) and we've never had this problem before with cats. When do you think I should introduce the cats to each other?

Thanks,
Janice

Janice...agree with Hissy. While the 2 are separated..the best thing you can do is anticipate the accidents....once she and your existing cat are roaming around together...she should learn from your cat.

Katie

I would reccomend making sure she has good access to the box shortly after eating or drinking.

Always ensure that accidents are cleaned up ASAP and with something that eliminates the odor so that kitty doesnt smell the accident and use the spot again.

Janice..here is a post on introducing cats....perhaps this will help you:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/sho...threadid=22138

Again...I understand your mom's frustration..but this kitten is not doing this to make anyone mad.

Katie

Is this litter box close by to the spots were the accidents are happening? I've always imagined it hard to be a kitten, so new, knowing that you want them to use the litter box, but if you have a large area or steps she has to go up or down - maybe she just can't make it there in time. That on top of What the others have said about Momma cat not getting enough time to teach them properly.

Sometimes kittens play so hard that they don't realize they have to go until it is upon them, and then they don't make it back to the litter box on time. You could try a smaller room or make sure there are multiple litter boxes around for her to use as she plays. It isn't always a matter of being taught, sometimes its just a matter of them being old enough to have sufficient control.

It's like she's running around and playing so much that it just hits her and she goes where she's at instead of seeking out her litter box. Her last accident happened after she had been in a room for a while with her box, she was let out of this room, she ran into another room, jumped on the chouch and then peed. : ) We keep her box close to her and constantly sit her in it.