Claire’s top tips for litter training your kitten
September 14, 2023
Our team of nurses know that, when it comes to emptying your kitten’s litter box, it isn’t a pleasant job. However, training your kitten to use the litter box correctly will save you a whole load of mess in the future!
Head Nurse Claire has put together their best advice on how to effectively train your kitten and enforce good habits for the rest of their life. Have a read of Claire’s tips and contact us for more advice.
You can also ask our veterinary nurses questions about kitten care and training on our Facebook page!
Ask your kitten questions on Facebook
Mimic their natural habitat
People often make the mistake of setting up a litter box so that it is aesthetically pleasing and fits the style of their home. However, your cat wants a litter box that best mimics their natural environment. In the wild, kittens learn to cover up their urine and faeces to avoid attracting predators. This is why soft, sandy and minimally scented litter is best. Head Nurse Claire also recommends to not use a litter box with a cover on top as your kitten could feel trapped.
Keeping it clean
Litter trays should be cleaned at least twice a day and washed at least once a month. Cats are very sensitive to smell and Claire wants owners to know that they may turn their nose up at heavily soiled litter boxes.
Multiple cat household
If you own more than one cat, you need to invest in a litter box for each of them, plus an additional box. So, if you own two cats, you need three litter boxes. If you own three cats, you need four litter boxes.
Claire recommends that you space these out in easily accessible areas and do not group them together as each cat needs to feel safe and secure when using their litter tray.
Our nursing team love talking to Greater London pet owners about kitten care so we recommend either asking them questions on our Facebook page, or contact our Teddington team for more advice.
Enforcing good habits
As soon as your new kitten arrives, show them where their litter tray is. You may need to move this to an area your kitten feels comfortable in so keep an eye on them. Ensure this is away from their food and water bowls.
You need to place your kitten in their litter box after they have eaten, played and slept. Eventually they will learn to associate this time with going to the toilet and will take themselves to the litter box after each event.
Remember, litter training your kitten will not happen overnight. But persistence and patience are key to ensuring good, lifelong habits.
Thanks for reading our article on house-training your kitten, we hope you found the advice from our nursing team helpful.
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