Kittens That Won't Eliminate in the Litter Box

Kittens have to be taught to use a litter box and this task is usually accomplished by the kitten's mother. However, young kittens may not have had time to learn or the mother cat may not have been a good teacher. Regardless, improper elimination is a common problem with kittens, and it can become a problem even with cats that know what the litter box is for.

  1. Teaching Kittens

    • Cats have a natural instinct to dig and to bury their urine and feces, and some kittens will take to the litter box without much prompting. However, it's important to remember that that doesn't mean some kittens won't need training. Make sure the litter box is accessible and that it's easy for your kitten to get in and out. Place the kitten in the box after it eats and after it wakes up. If the kitten doesn't dig in the litter when you put it in the box, show it what to do by taking its paw and gently digging it against the litter. This may stimulate the kitten's instincts. Punishing kittens when they eliminate outside the litter box does nothing except make them afraid and because of that they may become afraid of the litter box, or simply seek out a hidden, private place to do their business where you won't notice -- at first. Be patient, and keep it up, for some kittens it takes time, but they will learn.

    Reactions to Change

    • Generally, cats do not like change. If your kitten was doing fine with the litter box and then you moved it, changed the type of litter you use or got a different box, and now the kitten is eliminating improperly, change back. Many cats are particular about their litter box. Some don't like litter with a heavy fragrance because of their instinct to hide their eliminations as a way to keep predators from finding their territory. While perfume might smell better to us, some cats react badly and will refuse to use the litter. Other cats have textural preferences, and if they don't like the feel of the litter, they won't use it. Getting a litter with a sand consistency is often a good solution when that's the problem.

    Inconvenient Locations

    • If the litter box is too hard to get to, or too hard to get into, many cats and kittens will simply not use it. If the litter box is on the top floor or all the way down in the basement, and especially if the cat or kitten has to pass by noisy objects like washing machines or water heaters, they may decide it's not worth the trouble. Try putting out more than one litter box, especially if you have multiple cats. Cats can consider a litter box to be part of another cat's territory and they may not like sharing. Never put a litter box near their food and water, as that's a sure way to keep the cat from using it.

    A Clean Start

    • Keeping the litter box clean is essential. Cats are clean animals and they will often refuse to use a dirty box. Clean out solid materials daily, and give the litter box a wash weekly in order to keep it up. Some cats will leave you an unpleasant message if the box is not clean enough for them. Cleaning up on accident sites is also important because the smell will indicate to a kitten that that is the proper place to go. If your kitten has an accident, wipe it up with a paper towel and put the paper towel in the litter box.

    Visit the Vet

    • Improper elimination can be a sign of stress, and of other medical issues. If your kitten continues to refuse to use the litter box, take it to the vet to get a checkup. Most issues are not life threatening, but some can be and it's important to get a good examination to eliminate a physical reason for the problem.