Kittens - 8 weeks - litter issue

tangster · Jul 15, 2006

Hello fellow kittyers,
I have had 3 cats in the past, all of whom have been very smart (and painless) in litter training. A couple of weeks ago, I got 2 kittens. One is consistently using the litter box, however her sister (a calico) is not. She uses it only sometimes.

I am confining them to a smaller space with their food, water, toys, and a small blanket. She was peeing on the blanket, but she hasn't done that in 2 nights. However, she has peed on everything else including brown paper bags that she likes to hide herself in. She's used the litter box many times both for pee and poop. It's just not consistent. I can't take my eyes off of her because she'll pee! I have added an extra litter box to no avail. I have a third litter box with a different type of litter. I have praised her relentlessly when she goes in the litter box. Does anyone know how long litter training might take since all my previous experiences have been almost instantaneous? Thanks much for your advice!

tnr1 · Jul 15, 2006

Originally Posted by tangster

Hello fellow kittyers,
I have had 3 cats in the past, all of whom have been very smart (and painless) in litter training. A couple of weeks ago, I got 2 kittens. One is consistently using the litter box, however her sister (a calico) is not. She uses it only sometimes.

I am confining them to a smaller space with their food, water, toys, and a small blanket. She was peeing on the blanket, but she hasn't done that in 2 nights. However, she has peed on everything else including brown paper bags that she likes to hide herself in. She's used the litter box many times both for pee and poop. It's just not consistent. I can't take my eyes off of her because she'll pee! I have added an extra litter box to no avail. I have a third litter box with a different type of litter. I have praised her relentlessly when she goes in the litter box. Does anyone know how long litter training might take since all my previous experiences have been almost instantaneous? Thanks much for your advice!

Welcome to TCS....has she been seen by your vet to check for a Urinary Tract Infection?? I would definately ensure that she doesn't have a painful UTI which could account for her not choosing to use any litterbox.

Below is an entire thread on peeing issues:

http://www.thecatsite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9563

Katie

hissy · Jul 15, 2006

Generally this age of kitten doesn't have a UTI as a rule. I would be patient with her. She is quite young and used to peeing wherever she is at the time. Set up small pans of litter for her, give her a choice, use those disposable foil trays, they are easy for small kittens to use. Don't expect miracles overnight, litter training takes time for some kittens. Your best "teacher" would be another older cat.

tangster · Jul 15, 2006

So an 8 week old wouldn't normally have a UTI huh? Darn, I was hoping that was the case.

In any case, I will call the vet just to be sure. I just find it odd that she poops in the litter box, but when it comes to peeing, it's extremely inconsistent. She has her littermate that sets the example and has had no issues with using any of the litter boxes (also a female).

So you think 2 weeks isn't enough huh? I suppose I was bound to get a kitten that'd take longer to litter train...

julieh · Jul 17, 2006

I know EXACTLY what you are going through !!

I am fostering a litter of 5 kittens (one was an add on after he was found wandering alone in a field) the older ones are 9 weeks and the little orphan is 6 weeks. The older ones are hit-or-miss with the litter, they'll pee in it all day then pee right beside right it the next day.

I have "pee pads" scattered around the room and 4 litter boxes of varying size in there so it's not for lack of choice !

The littlest one has NEVER made a mistake, Got him at about 4 weeks old, he has never done anything out of the litter - I'm, hoping he'll show the older ones how it's done !

I'm trying to stay optimistic about this but man, these little guys are slow... I keep plopping them into the litter everytime I go in the room in hopes that they catch on.

If anyone has a better suggestion - I'm all ears !

Julie

kittycity81 · Jul 17, 2006

We had the same problem with our Spanky(he is 11 weeks old now)It felt like he would NEVER learn to use the litter pan.He was constantly peeing on our carpet,boxes,bags,blankets,shoes,whatever he could find,but it took alot of patience!Also after the kitten eats you are supposed to wait about 20 minutes and put them in the litter pan and sit with them,everytime they get out of the litter pan let thm sniff around for a minute or so then put them right back in it.It is going to take time but they should catch on...GOOD LUCK

alliread · Jul 17, 2006

my problem was not the peeing, but the other one

I actually had to buy a pellet based litter, in one box, then the regular litter in the other...

He only used that one till he was about 4 months old, now they use regular clumping...

but I assumed he would follow momma to learn, and meanwhile , he just wanted his own kind of litter, or his own box, one or the other..but the problem faded away..
Maybe it was the texture he didnt like at first, who knows

tangster · Jul 18, 2006

hey all - thanks for sharing all the stories. i know now she doesn't have a urinary tract infection, she's been on some meds and that same type of med is used for UTI. since then, i've just been more vigilant with her peeing habits, following her everywhere she goes, keeping a close eye on her. everytime she squats i take her into the litter box, though it's hard to discern sometimes whether it's a pee or pounce squat!

she poops in the litter box, no problem, it's the peeing i'm just not completely comfortable with yet...hopefully she'll figure it out soon because i want to put down a blanket / towel for them when they sleep. vet said that some cats are just dumb about it and may take 3 or so months. um...3 months of this? yikes!

Kittens - 8 weeks - litter issue

tangster

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tnr1

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hissy

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tangster

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julieh

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kittycity81

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alliread

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tangster

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