How to Make a Resistant Kitten Use the Litter Box

It's a frustrating dilemma for pet owners when their kitten resists using the litter box. According to ̶0;The Kitten Owner's Manual̶1; by Arden Moore, kittens avoid using the litter box due to medical, behavioral or environmental factors. It is important to try to determine the underlying reason for litter- box avoidance and to understand your kitten's litter-box preferences. For a kitten affected by environment or stress, there are multiple strategies to explore to entice her to use the litter box.

Things You'll Need

  • Covered litter box
  • Uncovered litter box
  • Clumping litter
  • Clay litter
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Instructions

    • 1

      Bring your kitten to the veterinarian to rule out any medical problems that may contribute to your pet's litter-box resistance. Kittens can avoid the litter box if they are suffering from urinary-tract diseases, parasitic worms, food allergies, diarrhea, constipation, diabetes, tumors or kidney failure.

    • 2

      Scoop your kitten's litter box daily. A kitten may avoid using the litter box if its deposits are not cleaned from the box each day.

    • 3

      Place your kitten's water and food bowls in a different room or away from the litter box. Cats have a strong sense of smell and do not like to eliminate waste near their food.

    • 4

      Place your kitten's litter box in a quiet, secluded area of the house. Kittens may avoid the litter box if it is in a high-traffic area or next to large, noisy appliances such as a washer and dryer. Close the doors to block off any rooms where your kitten is eliminating outside of the litter box.

    • 5

      Try different styles of litter box, such as covered and uncovered boxes, to entice your kitten. Some kittens find a covered litter box too confining and avoid using it while others like the privacy.

    • 6

      Consider purchasing a different type of litter, such as clumping or clay litter, and avoid using litter that contains perfumes or heavy deodorizers. Kittens may develop allergies or dislikes to certain types of litter and resist using the litter box until they have a litter that suits their preferences.