Can You Train a Kitten to Go Potty on Newspaper?

It's certainly possible to train a kitten to go potty on newspaper, but "can" doesn't mean "should." Newspaper training is more difficult than litter box training and may set her up for future problems. There's a very limited set of circumstances where going potty on newspaper may be necessary, and these are usually temporary.

  1. Learning to Potty

    • Your initial potty needs depend on the age of your kitten. An orphan between newborn and 2 weeks old can't potty without stimulation. Momma cat does this with her tongue; you'll use a warm, damp washcloth or cotton ball to gently wipe her tummy and genital area. Between 2 and 4 weeks of age almost all kittens naturally learn to use a litter box. Cats instinctually have a strong urge to dig and bury their waste -- all it usually takes to litter train a kitten is providing a box with litter inside it.

    So Why Paper?

    • Virtually the only time it's necessary for your kitten to potty on newspaper is if you need to temporarily keep her confined in a small area, such as a carrier without a litter box, for medical reasons, or to collect a litter-free fecal sample. She'll go on the newspaper when she can't hold it any more, but she'll still try to dig and bury it. Some owners might want to try paper if they're allergic to clay litters. Rest assured, there are many alternative litters on the market, from recycled paper pellets to plain old playground sand. You don't need to thwart your kitty's natural toilet behavior to have a dust-free home.

    Why Paper's a Bad Idea

    • Unlike cat litter, newspaper doesn't absorb liquid and stench. Urine quickly spreads to soak the entire area. Poop sits in a pile your kitty can accidentally smear and spread throughout your home. Even with the best intentions, it's virtually impossible to immediately get rid of soiled paper each and every time your kitty potties, for the rest of her life... and as she grows, so does her waste. You're also setting her up for problems if she ever has to be rehomed -- it's guaranteed her new human will insist she use a box. Using newspaper will not come naturally to her, but once she's used to it, it's going to be a tough habit to break, and new owners may prefer to read their paper... or books... or mail.

    Potty Problems

    • Cats naturally want to dig to potty and bury their waste. If your kitty's declining the litter box, something's wrong. The answer isn't putting down paper -- it's ruling out potential problems until you find the one that's troubling her. Kitties often potty outside the box if they're suffering from a urinary tract or intestinal infection, have internal parasites, have suffered a severe emotional disturbance, or if something's preventing them from reaching the box when they have to go. Resolving these problems are key to having a cat who uses a litter box properly -- the very best choice for her and your long-term health, hygiene and sanity.