My kitten pooped on the couch!

I have 2 male kittens, and got them 3 days ago. The Vet feels they are about 8 or 9 weeks.

I started them on clumping litter, but I really wanted to try feline pine. I have slowly transitioned them and they were using the box for urine and poop....although they often would walk around in it, scratch and leave.

Then this morning, one kitten pooped on the couch.

Is he protesting the feline pine? Help!?

Could be a combination of a couple of things.

Change of litter could cause that. However, you shouldn't be using clumping litter on kittens that young. They tend to play in it, and often ingest it, whether on purpose or cleaning it off of themselves. The very thing that makes it clump can also cause it to stick to the walls of their intestines and clump there. That can cause a blockage that can actually kill them, because they, and their inside organs, are so tiny.

You should wait until they are about 3 or 4 months old before you use the clumping litter, and even then, keep an eye on them and make sure they are not spending too much time playing in the litter. If they are, you might have top wait longer. Use your judgement based on their activiites. But for now, they are so small, that the extra month or so can make a big difference in the possibility of a blockage.

However, if they don't like the pine, and are used to the clumping you might be better off with a clay litter, which is more similar. Again, I know it's not as easy or pleasant, but it's only for a month or two when you can return to the clumping.

The other reason they might be doing this is when a cat goes to the vet, it smells different than when it left, and often they need to "remark" their territory. If that's the reason, it shouldn't be a problem that continues.

It happened when I had my two guys spay/neutered a couple of weeks ago, just the day they returned (by the 2 who were not at the vets), and it never happened again. Just make sure you clean that spot and use a pet stain and odor remover of good quality so they don't recognize that as a place to go.

here they went on their pillow, so I jsut threw the whole thing out and bought another one. I was lucky it wasn't hte sofa.

Good luck! And I'm so glad to hear they are doing better!

He pooped on the couch before we went to the Vet. I have "Petastic" spray, is that good?

Is old fashioned Jonny Cat litter the only type of non clumping? Where does the urine go, and do I have to use a liner? I think they would shred a liner, the tend to dig to the bottom.

My Skittles did shred liners so I had to use just the litter. Then I switched it out 2x or 3x a week and I clean the box with water and BS.... Refill it.

Originally Posted by BaseballMom

He pooped on the couch before we went to the Vet. I have "Petastic" spray, is that good?

Is old fashioned Jonny Cat litter the only type of non clumping? Where does the urine go, and do I have to use a liner? I think they would shred a liner, the tend to dig to the bottom.

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Might have just been because he wasn't feeling well. I don't know Petastic, if you think it works for you, then use it. Maybe others have some suggestions, Luckily I haven't had a problem so haven't gone through what's availble. At least haven't had a problem .. yet. LOL

I don't where you buy your litter, but I've seen a lot more brands than just Johnny Cat. Hartz, store brands... just make sure it says clay litter and doesn't say clumping. The urine goes whereever they sit and put it, and then they should cover it up. The difference is if you try and remove it with a scoop, it will separate and mix in with the other litter. None of hte pieces will stick together.

You don't have to use the liner, but in my experience I've preferred to. It makes it a lot easier to clean. yes, they shred it to some extent, although the liners are made of thick plastic, so the shredding isn't as bad as it would be with something like a plastic bag. However, most of the bag should stay in tact, so there shouldn't be much left if you pick the litter up with the liner first, then just shake out the little that fell through into the trash.

One thing (regardless of what the package says) is not to mix it up. Let them dig, go, and cover, and just spread a little clean layer on top if you want, when you think it needs it, until you change it again. If you stir it up, wet granules will come to the surface and start to smell. You'll have less odor if you leave the wet spots on the bottom and covered where they leave them. One trick for alittle less odor is to shake a thin layer of baking soda on the bottom before adding the litter.

I will tell you that the clay litter has a tendency to smell more than the clumping, but it's only for a short time. Once you go back to clumping it'll be much easier.

Well, I went and bought worlds best cat litter, hoping it doesn't clump too much on their feet.

He went poop in it...yay!

they are awfully young, you have to allow them to make mistakes. Buy those disposable foil pans you buy at the grocery store. They come in clumps of four for under $2.00 and use those for "first" pans. Your kittens need more than one pan, and these really are easy for the kittens to use and you can spread them around so accidents don't happen so often.