How to Housebreak a Kitten

I've owned 3 cats in my life. One was a stray mangy orange cat (OrangePuss) that was living under my house. That sucker is still alive, living with my ex, and probably nearing age 200 in cat-years. I currently live with 2 cats, a tabby (Sadie Mae Katz) that came with my current significant other, the other picked out of a pound by me when she was a kitten (Fuzzball). This how-to is aimed at folks with a new kitten in the house.

Things You'll Need

  • Litter box(es)
  • Kitty litter
  • Cage (optional)
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Buy a litter box with a lip that's set low to the floor, especially if you're training a kitten. The low lip makes it easy for kitty to get in and out.

    • 2

      Fill the box with litter. Make sure that it's a uniform layer. Cats can get picky.

    • 3

      Place the kitten inside the litter box if your cat is a slow learner (and some are). You may even have to encourage kitty by lightly scratching your finger or thumb in the litter until he gets the idea. Do this not long after the kitten's meal.

    • 4

      Here's a radical approach for kitties that don't housebreak easy. Confine the cat, the litter box, the food dish, toys, etc. to a small room in your house until she figures out the litter box's function.

      A more radical approach is to place kitty and his stuff in a large cage anywhere inside the house.