When To Litter Train Kittens?

[NeringaK]

Hello, so far on internet i've seen that it is advisable to start them training at 3 weeks age. But... When I added small litter box into their "house", they do not pee inside, just eat or sleep in the litter. I wonder if 3 weeks isnt too small for a kitten to be trained to pee in a box? They are still stimulated to pee by their mother. Any advices?

 

[abyeb]

It’s usually best to start litterbox training kittens around the same time that they start eating food, about 3-5 weeks. All kittens are different, so if they still are being stimulated by their mother, it might take a bit longer. This article is a great guide about litterbox training: How To Train Kittens To Use The Litter Box

 

[NeringaK]

Thank you. We still start giving kitten food from week 4 so maybe its better to wait until then.

 

[Kieka]

If they are sitll with Mom, she will take care of the weaning and they will copy her on the litter box. It's one of the reasons they should stay with Mom until the 10-12 week mark. They not only need to be able to eat and potty but also learn good habits and how to cat. Things like covering their waste or how to play are all learned from watching Mom and interacting with their siblings.

 

[NeringaK]

Hello, the kittens are almost 4 weeks old, we still keep them in a big box, but its about time to release them into the room. Yesterday we released all kittens to wander around the room and our older cat which is not too friendly started hissing at them. Cat mom saw it and after we went out she started carrying kittens to other room to hide. We brought kitten back but then after several hours she brought one kitten downstairs and hid into the cat house. We closed the room for a night so that all kittens and mom would stay in one place. But i dont know how to do it now, because we want to release kittens to wander around the room but their mom is anxious and starts hiding them. Should we keep them all in one room?
Another questions: it's about time they should start eating wet food but whenever I put wet kitten food inside their box, their mom eats it all. And they dont get to eat or at least taste it. Any suggestions?

 

[Hellenww]

Since your other cat hissed Mama might not think it's safe for the kits to roam. Can you lay the box on it's side so the kittens can get in and out on their own but keep the door closed so other cats can't get in? Mama might still try to put them back in but will give up eventually. You stand the box back up when you need them contained.

Would Mama get too upset if you took her to a different room while trying to feed babies some wet food?

 

[NeringaK]

Since your other cat hissed Mama might not think it's safe for the kits to roam. Can you lay the box on it's side so the kittens can get in and out on their own but keep the door closed so other cats can't get in? Mama might still try to put them back in but will give up eventually. You stand the box back up when you need them contained.

Would Mama get too upset if you took her to a different room while trying to feed babies some wet food?

Thank you for the answer! Yes, we will try to close Mama when we will try to feed kittens their food. Unfortunately, we cannot lay the box on its side coz its wooden wide box and you cant lay it to its side, but maybe its time to take out the box and leave the kittens in the room with free space and blankets from their box? We are not sure if they are old enough to be kept out of the box... They still seem fragile

 

[StefanZ]

I agree have the other cat somewhere else.

All meetings must be supervised till you are sure everyone are friendly and momma happy.
Being a good momma she is of couse more or less protective.

Its no big hurry with weaning as yet. Be sure the plates are shallow. It will be measy in the beginning.

Prepare also a shallow kitten litter with non clumping litter.

When they begin to eat their poo changes and momma wont eat it.

 

[talkingpeanut]

How much and how often are you feeding mom?

 

[NeringaK]

She has food all the time.

 

[talkingpeanut]

Are you able to keep the other cats out? Are you able to keep mom100% inside and away from intact males?

 

[NeringaK]

Are you able to keep the other cats out? Are you able to keep mom100% inside and away from intact males?

What do you mean inside from intact males? We never let cat mom outside, she is always in the house. And other cat doesn't usually go inside the room where kittens are. It was only that time that she was lying in the room and we let kittens out. At first the other cat was silent, but when kittens approached her she started hissing quite badly.

 

[talkingpeanut]

Did you mate her on purpose? I am asking how she came to be pregnant, and whether you can prevent her from getting pregnant again. Cats are able to get pregnant within a week of delivery.