Kittens and Litterboxes...

Hi everyone...Have another question for anyone that might know...

I have 5 2-week old kittens. I read on the kitten calendar that they should start "eliminating" by themselves soon...So I suppose I need to introduce a kitten-sized litterbox.

This leads me to a couple of questions...I know there is some kind of litter that I should not use because the babies may eat it - but I'm not sure which kind that is...Or better yet, which kind of litter SHOULD I use to train them? Also, how do I go about training them? Just put them in the box a couple of times? I've never had babies this small before. When I got Oreo, she was much older, I just put her in the "big kitty" litterbox once and she knew what to do from there.

Is there something smaller than a regular litterbox I should use? I'm running out of space in the closet that they are in...I have food and water in there (for Momma), a box with blankies/towels (although she won't keep them in there anymore)...and the babies themselves.

One more thing I just thought of...When do I need to start setting out food to supplement their nursing? And can I just use dry food mixed with a bit of water? Or do I have to buy wet food? I usually only give my adult cats dry food...

Thanks in advance, and congrats to all those who have new kittens!

Hello! I'll try to answer your questions to the best of my knowledge:
Hi everyone...Have another question for anyone that might know...

I have 5 2-week old kittens. I read on the kitten calendar that they should start "eliminating" by themselves soon...So I suppose I need to introduce a kitten-sized litterbox.

This leads me to a couple of questions...I know there is some kind of litter that I should not use because the babies may eat it - but I'm not sure which kind that is...Or better yet, which kind of litter SHOULD I use to train them? Also, how do I go about training them? Just put them in the box a couple of times? I've never had babies this small before. When I got Oreo, she was much older, I just put her in the "big kitty" litterbox once and she knew what to do from there. use only non-clumping litter, the kits may eat the cluping and makes themselves sick, and if the kittens are with their mother YOU shouldn't have to train them, the mommy will

Is there something smaller than a regular litterbox I should use? I'm running out of space in the closet that they are in...I have food and water in there (for Momma), a box with blankies/towels (although she won't keep them in there anymore)...and the babies themselves. you could get those little shallow aluminum pans for baking, they are about the right size for a kitten

One more thing I just thought of...When do I need to start setting out food to supplement their nursing? And can I just use dry food mixed with a bit of water? Or do I have to buy wet food? I usually only give my adult cats dry food...this I don't know that much about, but I am pretty sure that it should be wet food to start, mixed with KMR to interest the kittens

Thanks in advance, and congrats to all those who have new kittens!
Congrats on your kittens! and I'm sure you've read this, but make sure you keep Momma inside as she can already possibly get pregnant again

Thanks Katie! I will buy some non-clumping litter for the babies...and the baking dish is a great idea! I never thought of that!

Oreo is kept inside at all times, and isn't around any intact males. She will be getting spayed as soon as she's done nursing. I absolutely love these babies, but we can't have any more!

Originally Posted by kgail76

Thanks Katie! I will buy some non-clumping litter for the babies...and the baking dish is a great idea! I never thought of that!

Oreo is kept inside at all times, and isn't around any intact males. She will be getting spayed as soon as she's done nursing. I absolutely love these babies, but we can't have any more!

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Great! Babies are a handful aren't they?? wait til they really start running around with 5 its going to seem like you have a herd of elephants!