How to Train a Kitten to Use a Litter Box

Kittens are ready to use litter boxes at about 3 weeks old, when they can urinate and defecate without help from their mothers.^{[1]XResearch source} Most kittens take to litter boxes naturally, the key is just to find a box, litter, and environment where they feel safe and comfortable. We spoke to certified feline trainers Molly Devoss and Russell Hartstein to bring you the scoop on the best litter box supplies, introducing your kitten to a litter box, keeping things clean, and encouraging litter box use.

Things You Should Know

Get a small litter box that your kitten can easily climb into, and fill it with 3 in (7.6 cm) of fine-grained, unscented litter.
Place the litter box somewhere quiet, accessible, and familiar to the kitten, away from foot traffic or intimidating noises or objects.
Place your kitten in the box about 20-30 minutes after feeding time to encourage the kitten to use it, and offer plenty of praise after they do.

Section 1 of 4:

Getting the Right Supplies

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1
Select a small litter box with low sides that your kitten can enter. Full-sized litter boxes are often too high or intimidating for kittens, so choose a kitten-sized litter box or tray with low sides.^{[2]XResearch source} Start with an uncovered box or tray, which suits most kittens, but note that you may need to cover it if your kitten ends up preferring more privacy, or tends to kick or dig enthusiastically.
- As your kitten grows, you’ll need to give them a larger box. Always ensure your cat has enough space to turn around inside the both without touching the sides.
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Make sure you have a litter box for each cat. Certified dog & cat trainer Russell Harstein says “you should have at least one litter box per cat, plus one [extra] box.” Certified feline behavior specialist Molly Devoss adds, “If you have a large home, put out a few boxes so the kitten [can] make it back to [a] box.”
- Also, place a box on each floor of your home, and check that another cat hasn’t already “claimed” the box or is guarding it. Cats like having their own private place to eliminate.
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3
Fill the box with fine-grained, unscented litter. Most cats naturally prefer 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) of sand or sand-like litter, as it emulates their habitat in the wild.^{[3]XTrustworthy SourceThe Humane Society of the United StatesNational organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfareGo to source} That said, every cat has their own preferences, so experiment or offer multiple boxes with different litters. Keep the following factors in mind as you make your choice:
- Avoid clumping litters until the cat is about 4 months old. Clumping litter can cause intestinal blockage if ingested—and kittens love to ingest just about anything.^{[4]XResearch source}
- Also avoid litter made with chemicals or fragrances, which can irritate your cat or be toxic if ingested. Err on the side of all-natural litters.
- Select a litter that is widely available. Some cats become accustomed to a specific litter and may not recognize the tray as a toilet unless it contains their usual litter.

Section 2 of 4:

Introducing the Kitten to the Litter Box

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1
Place the box somewhere quiet but easily accessible. Kittens and cats need peace and privacy, but also don’t want to work too hard to find or use their litter boxes. The ideal litter box location is easily accessible, offers plenty of privacy, doesn’t feel enclosed, and is free from sudden noises that could frighten a kitten.^{[5]XResearch source}
- Try placing the box in a roomy bathroom or another fairly disused room of the house. That said, kittens also prefer their boxes to be somewhere they spend plenty of time themselves, and where they can often see it.
2
Place the kitten in the litter box a half-hour after feeding. Kittens often need to evacuate about 20-30 minutes after being fed. When the time comes, litter train your kitten by placing them in the box itself and let them spend a few minutes there, even if they don't go to the bathroom the first time.
- Certified feline training and behavior specialist Molly Devoss says, “Kittens inherit the urge to use a litter box so there shouldn’t be much house training needed.” That said, some kittens will need to be placed in the litter box repeatedly until they figure it out.
- Avoid attempting to "show" the kitten the digging motion that cats use to bury their waste as it may frighten them.^{[6]XTrustworthy SourceThe Humane Society of the United StatesNational organization devoted to the promotion of animal welfareGo to source} And avoid hovering, as cats dislike distractions when it’s time to do their business.
3
Use praise for good behaviors, and interrupt undesired behaviors. As the kitten grows used to the litter box and starts using it as their toilet, praise them each time they go by petting them and making comforting sounds. If they start their business outside the box, interrupt it with a whistle or a cheerful tone, then place them in the box.^{[7]XResearch source}
- Always avoid punishment. Kittens don’t respond well to forceful or frightening behaviors. If your kitten has an accident, let them sniff the mess, then gently lift them and put them in the box, so they know where to go next time.
4
Consider confining the kitten to a single room for a few weeks. Certified Feline Training and Behavior Specialist Molly Devoss says to “confine the kitten to [the litter box’s room] until he gets used to using the box regularly.” When you first introduce a kitten to your home, consider keeping them in the same room as the box for 2-3 weeks.^{[8]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
- This can help them acclimate to their new environment, gives them easy access to their litter box, and can help minimize or confine accident areas.
- Keep the litter box and the kitten’s food and bedding at opposite ends of the confinement area. Cats don’t like doing their business near where they eat and drink.
- You may want to confine the kitten to an area without carpet to make accidents easier to clean if they do occur.

Section 3 of 4:

Cleaning the Litter Box

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1
Scoop the waste from the litter every day. Kittens don’t like to relieve themselves in dirty areas. To maintain the litter box, scoop the waste out of the box, place it in a small baggie, close the bag, and dispose of it in the garbage. If you don't change the litter, the kitten may find a cleaner place, like the carpet, to do their business.^{[9]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
- Also, spread out some newspaper or a disposable liners under the box to catch any mess your kitten may make.
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"The SiftEase litter sifter makes emptying your cat's litter box easy; just pour the litter into the sifter and let it catch all the refuse that needs to be disposed of."
2
Clean the entire litter box once a week. Every 7 days or so, clean the litter box more thoroughly. Completely dump the contents of the litter pan and give it a thorough scrub with warm, soapy water, then rinse the pan, dry it, and refill it with clean litter^{[10]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
- Even scoopable litter needs to be completely emptied and replaced frequently.
3
Clean accidents outside of the box with an enzymatic cleaner. If your kitten or cat uses the bathroom outside of the litter box, soak the area with an enzymatic cleaner, let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then soak it up with a paper towel.^{[11]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source} Completely clean the area, removing all traces of urine or feces to prevent repeat accidents in the same area.^{[12]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
- If your kitten tends to have accidents in the same spot repeatedly, move the litter box to that spot to encourage its use.
- If you find that your kitten is using the dirt in your potted plants for a toilet, you may need to remove them or cover the dirt with foil during litter training. Kittens instinctively bury their waste, so they may be attracted to dirt or sandy areas.

Section 4 of 4:

Encouraging Stubborn Kittens to Use a Litter Box

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This helps you predict when your kitten needs to use the litter box. Kittens generally feel the urge to have a bowel movement about 20-30 minutes after eating. When you think she has the urge to go, take her to the box and let her climb inside.^{[13]XResearch source}
2
Move the litter box or rearrange the room. Kittens and cats can be quite finicky. If your kitten refuses to use the box, move it to a different room, or simply rearrange it inside the same room, and keep trying for another week or two. Find somewhere quieter and with a comfortable temperature, or somewhere nearer where the kitten usually spends their time.
- If it becomes necessary to move the box, do it gradually—a few feet at a time every few days—to keep the kitten comfortable and prevent confusion.
- Or, use a pheromone diffuser to make your cat calm and comfortable enough to use the box.
3
Try a different litter box or different litter. It may be that your kitten simply doesn’t like the box, or the litter. Get a larger box with a different shape, or try a different type of litter, like pellets or clay. Or, fill the box a little less full of litter.
- Also, clean the box more frequently. Or, if you already keep it spotless, consider leaving small amounts of waste to remind your cat that they should eliminate in the box.
- Transition a kitten from an uncovered to a covered box by removing the door.
If you find no success after a month or two, consult a veterinarian. Your kitten may have an illness, like a parasite or urinary infection, or your vet might have some more personalized insight. Tell the vet about your cat’s diet, when and where they do eliminate, and the size and color of their feces to help diagnose any problems.^{[14]XResearch source}

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Is it safe to train a one-week old kitten to use the litter tray?
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
Very young kittens such as this are not able to empty their own bladder and bowel, but hold on and only toilet when stimulated to do so by their mother licking. Also, the kitten is not yet able to walk and is still blind so they won't be able to find their way to the tray and climb in. By all means have a litter tray set up for the kitten to use, so they can discover it as they become mobile, but a one-week old kitten still needs their toileting needs seen to by the mother.
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Why is my kitten eating the cat litter?
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
Kittens tend to investigate things with their mouths and it's not unusual for kittens to eat litter. For this reason, never use clumping cat litter if you have a kitten. The swallowed litter could clump in their stomach and cause a serious blockage.
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Why is my kitten meowing at me?
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Expert Answer
If the kitten is not hungry and has recently been to the litter box, it may be that she's asking for attention. Try brushing her and playing with her for a few minutes, and she may settle down for a contented sleep.
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If you find that you need to change a cat’s litter type, try slowly mixing the litter types over a few days, or offer multiple boxes with different types of litter.^{[15]XTrustworthy SourceAmerican Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to AnimalsLeading organization dedicated to the prevention of animal crueltyGo to source}
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The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of How.com.vn readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on How.com.vn, please submit it in the field below.

Clean up accidents on carpet by soaking them with equal parts water and vinegar and letting it sit for 10-15 minutes, then soaking them up. Sprinkle them with baking powder until the odor is gone.
Buy small or sample packs of litter at first to find a litter your kitten likes to save money.

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Warnings

Some people toilet-train their cats. If this is your goal, wait until your cat is fully grown, as a toilet poses many dangers to a kitten.
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