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by Pastaman on June 24th, 2003

Pastaman

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What is a good way to potty-train my kitten?

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Answers. 9 helpful answers below.

  • by trhaynes on July 24th, 2003

    trhaynes

    I'm not sure how it works with kittens, but if you're getting a new cat (not kitten) and want to teach it where the facilities are, what I would do is introduce the cat to only a small portion of the house first. This portion should include the room/space where it should relieve itself. For example, if the litter box is in a bathroom, let it live for a day in the bedroom and the attatched bathroom. Then let it live on the one floor with the litter box, and finally in the whole house. They're smart animals, but sometimes they just get lost if they're introduced to a new environment all at once.

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  • by Santaanacanyon on July 11th, 2003

    Santaanacanyon

    When kitty goes "number two" somewhere, pick it up and place it in the litter box.
    Cats possess two things in their nature which a cat owner should use to advantage: They blindly trust their sense of smell, and they are creatures of habit.
    When a cat smells his "download" in the box, he readily knows that's the bathroom, and will go there "habitually" every time from then on.
    This method has been tested by me on three cats I have owned with a 100 percent success rate.

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  • by Mike D on January 9th, 2004

    Mike D

    Also, should you find "carpet bomb" place it into the litterbox and "nicely" bring your cat or kitten to the box. Preferably, stroking and pettig the cat and get it relaxed. To do it in a forceful manner will make the cat/kitten apprehensive about the entering the box. Make sure the box is cleaned regularly or they will look elsewhere to go. Would you continue to use an unflushed toilet? ) Also, should there be a certain spot "it" seems to return to, try covering it over with aluminum foil. They don't seem to like the way it feels on their paws.
    Good Luck!

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  • by lunatik on December 3rd, 2003

    lunatik

    Cats will want to relieve themselves in the same area. put downloads in the litter box is a great idea.

    I have "toilet" trained 2 cats. I moved the litter box every few days a few feet closer to the toilet. I then had a plastic kit with multiple removable rings in it. I placed it on the bowl with some liter and recent droppings. The cat was reluctant but I watched her closely and figured when to assist. Even after one falling in, the cat decided to use the bowl and after a week or so was trained. The best part is no litter, no mess, no smell. Just an occasional flushing.
    Note: this worked best on a private toilet that only the cat used until trained.

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  • by mojokabobo on June 7th, 2009

    mojokabobo

    Here's what I'd recommend to potty train a kitten to use a litter box.

    Set up a large box that you can put the kitten in, high enough that he won't be able to jump out. Put in a blanket or something for them to sleep on, and a small litter box (big enough for them to turn around in). Add a couple of toys that the kitten might like, and a ticking clock (to soothe it a bit). Also, a small water dish/food dish.

    At the beginning, introduce the kitten to some tuna (or soft cat food, but just about any cat i've ever had LOVED tuna. The consistency is also good for recently weaned kittens).

    The tuna will be used as a treat for when the kitten does good. Let the kitten wander around the house (keep an eye on him/her). Eventually the kitten will poop or pee somewhere. Take the kitten to the box and put him in.

    Go and pick up the poop, (or in case of pee, wipe up some of the urine with a paper towel) and place it in the litter box (or rub urine soaked paper towel in the kitty litter), making sure the kitten sees what you are doing.

    Set the kitten in the litter box, and paw at the litter. Keep the kitten in place with one hand while you cover the poop (or urine soaked area, the cat CAN smell it so he knows his pee is there). Use a stroking action with your fingers, imitating the pawing of a cat covering the feces. (This is easier for the mother to do, but if the mother cannot teach the kitten, then most of your actions should mimic the actions of a natural cat mother)

    Now, set the kitten on the blanket in the box, and begin stroking him to calm him. If the cat is acting up and continously trying to jump out of the box and disobey you, stand up, walk away out of the room for a bit, and be silent (as if you've left). The cat will probably be meowing at this point, crying for attention and crying to be let out.

    When you come back, attempt to do the same thing. If the kitten refuses to calm down, don't be afraid to assert your authority. A mother cat will assert its' dominance to a kitten by biting down on the nape of the neck of the kitten, or making a growling sound (expressing dominance). A good solid sounding cat growl can establish dominance over the kitten, and help to calm it at times (results vary based on cat personality).

    The paralyzing effect of a solid grip of the nape of the kittens neck is intriguing. Grip the nape (back) of the neck solidly and firmly with a pinching motion with thumb/index and middle fingers. Set the kitten back on the blanket and apply firm pressure to keep them in place with pressure on the nape.

    Continue on by stroking the skin of the kitten lightly, in a gentle massaging motion. Get the fingers a bit wet with his/her water dish, and mimic the licking/cleaning of a mother cat by washing the kitten with your wet fingers. This should calm the kitten down, and he/she should submit to you. (note the should, cats can vary)

    After this, (or, if the kitten's fallen asleep, which is possible, allow them to sleep then follow these directions) take the kitten out of the box, and bring him/her to the area (along with the litter box) where he/she went to the bathroom earlier. Set the box where the kitten had gone to the bathroom, and set him next to or in the box.

    Repeat this method as needed, the cat should learn eventually, and if it does go in the box, give the kitten tuna as a reward. Positive reinforcement is an effective tool in speeding the behavioral training process of the kitten.

    Cats are intelligent so it should learn quickly if you have a steady hand. Be assertive and dominant, and reward positive behavior.

    Good luck!

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  • by Anonymous on November 5th, 2007

    Anonymous

    I just got a new kitten, out 5 month old cat does not like it one bit, so we've contained the little one in the bathroom until our elder gets used to the smell and presence of the little one. Therefore i was just putting down newspaper for the kitten as that was in the cage at the petstore, it worked a treat. I've started putting the older cat into the bathroom and letting the kitten run around. The kitten started meowing like "where do i go poo" so i picked her up and put her in the litter box, well she did not like that at all, so stroke of genuis i went and got some news paper, put a small sheet in the litter box and hey presto! it worked. Since my older cat still wants to eat the kitten, i've just put a small box of litter with some of its poo in it and i'm just waiting to see if it works!
    Hopefully this helps some of you!

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  • by Eva Warren on March 19th, 2005

    Eva Warren

    If it starts clawing at the carpet pick it up and show it where the litter box is. You will probably have to do that about 2 times and then it is potty trained.

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  • by Sas on May 22nd, 2007

    Sas

    my kitten doesnt like the feeling off the litter on her feet... any suggestions? She keeps pooping on our couch.

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  • by Ashcat on December 28th, 2009

    Ashcat

    Assuming that you're trying to litter train your kitten..

    Find a quiet and convenient place to put a litter box. Introduce your kitten to the litter box. Gently pick up your kitten and place her in the litter box on an hourly basis. You have to be consistent or the kitten will not grasp the concept. If she uses the bathroom in the litter box, praise her. Don't punish her if she has an accident, this will teach her to hide her accidents from you. If she does have an accident - clean up the mess thoroughly to eliminate smells. She may decide to use the bathroom in the same place again if it smells like a bathroom. Keep the litter box clean.. most kittens won't return to a dirty litter box.

    More tips and details can be found here:

    How to Litter Train a Kitten
    http://www.ehow.com/how_5792494_litter-train-kitten.html

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