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  • Help! Litter box training a kitten

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    Old 04-23-2013, 12:58 PM
      #11  
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    I heard from "My Cat From Hell" guru that you should have one more litter box than you have cats. I have three cats (not my choice) and 4 litter boxes. Also, our vet said that cats ususally train themselves. I think everyone has given you good advice.
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    Old 04-23-2013, 01:19 PM
      #12  
    Cyn
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    I rescue kittens and have trained a few from birth as there was no mom to do it. I believe a small area is good and i have around 10 boxes all over and different litters/ sizes/ lids but I am a real crazy cat lady I also have a huge (5000sf) home and cat doors into our contained fenced yard. My vet has always been great to help me with difficult issues. I bet once yours feel better, the problem will be solved. Good Luck!
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    Old 04-23-2013, 01:40 PM
      #13  
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    Originally Posted by SherriB
    We took the kitten to the vet today. He has a very low grade temp and they gave it some antibiotics. His eyes are matted and they ointment for that also. The kitten does use the litter box if we put him in it. I am going to get a small pan for the kitten and see if that helps. He is so cute and we will keep working with him.
    Aw poor sweetie. Keep that eye clean
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    Old 04-23-2013, 01:55 PM
      #14  
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    Originally Posted by kathy
    I always just put them in the litterbox and scratched with their paw and they took it from there.
    this is pretty much how we do it. always works.
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    Old 04-23-2013, 02:19 PM
      #15  
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    Originally Posted by Nammie to 7
    My kittens were contained in the bathroom at night with a bed and a litter box. When we opened the door the first morning they had used the litter box and have ever since. They were so tiny I used a tray with a rim that was only 1 inch high - they were too small to get in a regular box. Good luck.
    Having raised almost 1000 newborn orphan kittens in my years of rescuing - this is what we did when we were working with feral kittens. The really little ones learned the same way. Especially when my older cats wanted nothing to do with them. My male boxer always helped with the babies, but HE isn't litter box trained either.

    Check with the grocery stores and things for their boxes that soft drink 6 paks and canned vegetables are delivered in. The sides are only about an inch or an inch and a half. They are also easy to make a cut on one end so that they can get in.

    I have never had a kitten NOT use the litter box after being introduced. Some are just a little harder headed than some and it takes a few days.

    Good luck, and thanks for adopting NOT shopping.
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    Old 04-23-2013, 03:23 PM
      #16  
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    Originally Posted by SherriB
    We took the kitten to the vet today. He has a very low grade temp and they gave it some antibiotics. His eyes are matted and they ointment for that also. The kitten does use the litter box if we put him in it. I am going to get a small pan for the kitten and see if that helps. He is so cute and we will keep working with him.
    When we rescued our last kitten, she was 5 weeks old and tiny. I have two big litter boxes and two adult cats as well. I ended up getting a smaller open litter pan with shorter sides for the kitten and I kept her confined with the box, food and water in one bedroom. We put her in the box once and she took it from there. I did notice though that when we had her out, she cried even though the big litter boxes were around until we brought her in her room where her litter box was at. I think she was too small to hop in the big boxes. Now she is 6 months old and we removed her small box and all three cats use two litter boxes. I do scoop and clean them frequently though
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    Old 04-23-2013, 07:58 PM
      #17  
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    I have 3 cats and had three litter pans. went to two, but back to three. They seem happier and if they are happy, so am I. Now to train them to clean their own litter pans!!!
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    Old 04-24-2013, 04:49 AM
      #18  
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    We never hada problem. We just showed the kittens the box, and they knew what to do. Ive heard to have as many litter boxes as cats. Do you have more than one box - that might be a suggestion. Also, I've heard that not using the box might be a sign of a UTI. I'm sure the vet can give you some help !
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    Old 04-24-2013, 05:12 AM
      #19  
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    I think our sweet little fellow is just stubborn. LOL!! He seems to be doing better. I am going to get an extra litter pan today and see if that will do the trick. The vet gave us an antibiotic for him, along with meds for his eyes.

    Last edited by SherriB; 04-24-2013 at 05:15 AM.
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    Old 04-24-2013, 05:16 AM
      #20  
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    I commend you for trying to train your new baby and for getting the other kitten a playmate. Put him in the box immediately after he finishes eating. Put him right back in if he jumps out. Wiping his tush with a wet rag is a signal to him to do his business. Stay with him until he does his business. Praise him highly when he is finished. Leave him in the bathroom during the night or when no human is home with him to cement the training. Keep the litterbox clean, many cats are fussy. A wire cage is also a good way to help him learn. He could have been a barn cat or an outdoor cat and never trained to a litterbox. Six weeks is really a little too early for a kitten to leave his cat momma. Eight weeks is reccommended.
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