If you’ve taken the step to buy a new kitten, it’s likely you will be spending endless hours playing with them and enjoying their entertaining company. But in the early weeks, it’s also important to implement a kitten litter box training with them.

Training them will not only get your relationship off to the ideal start but it will save you lots of grief, anger and time spent cleaning up! Training your new mini cat involves consistency and patience, but is well worth it in the long run.

Put your kitten in the litter tray regularly

For the toilet training to be effective, you’ll need to frequently put your kitty in the litter tray.

Choosing regular times to do this will help with a routine. Try to put him or her in the litter tray at these times:

•     After eating
•     Before a nap
•     After playing
•     Every couple of hours

When he or she is in the litter box, using your own hands to dig can help show your kitten what to do. Gently lifting their paw and digging with it can also help encourage them.

Don’t expect your kitten to necessarily go straight away. And don’t force them to stay in the tray until they go. Let your furry friend run off and do other stuff, and put them back in the litter in 10 or 20 minutes. Then try again.

While he or she is “roaming” be sure to keep an eye on them and look out for signs they may need to go. These could include sniffing the ground, scratching an area, circling and squatting. If you notice these outside of the kitty litter, don’t get angry. Simply pick the kitten up and take them to the litter tray.

When they go in the tray, give them lots of positive praise.

Avoiding Accidents

Obviously you won’t be around 100% of the time to supervise your kittens movements. Early on while they are still learning and you aren’t there, designate a certain room (that you don’t mind dirtying up) and keep your kitty confined in there. Ensure this room has a litter box, water and food. Contact our Melbourne cattery staff for more information and assistance.

Other Tips

1. Select a large litter box. Kittens grow up fast so you will need to replace a small box before you know it. Plus the larger the tray, the more likely the litter will remain in the tray when they are doing their business, rather than being spread all over your floor.

2. Buy a scooper and drop cloth. Even when the kitten does use the tray properly, you still need to remove the waste. A scooper will make this easier and a drop cloth will prevent excess litter being spread across the room.

3. Change the litter box regularly. When you notice the kitten has gone number 2s, you should look to scoop it out and dispose of it right away. If it’s number 1, you can wait a little longer. Putting the litter outside to “air” is a good idea, rather than changing it all the time. Otherwise you’ll run out pretty quick!