The kitten does not go to the litter box - what to do? Reasons why a kitten does not want to go to the litter box and how to eliminate them

But what to do if the kitten stubbornly ignores the litter box? What is the basis of this behavior, and how to fix it?

Mother teaches kitten

The first thing you should know: you cannot take a very small kitten from a cat, that is, younger than 1.5 months. Many large nurseries that care about the health and behavior of animals give away kittens after three months.

The fact is that in addition to feeding milk, a mother cat sets an example for her cubs on how to eat, how to hunt and protect themselves. But the most important thing for the owner is that the adult cat shows the cubs where to go to the toilet. This is why it can be difficult to immediately train a one-month-old kitten to the right place.

Kitten is stressed

Many cats react very nervously to any changes. They do not like moving, changing furniture, or repairs. They have a hard time with the arrival of new people in the house. For pets, having a baby can be stressful. In this case, you shouldn’t be surprised when puddles appear in unexpected places throughout the house. This only means that the kitten is stressed, he is marking his territory and defending himself. He should not be punished for this, but it is better to show him to the vet so that he can prescribe sedatives. This will help the cat recover and adapt to new living conditions.

• Author: Elena Romanenko
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Bringing the kitten home

When the cub is separated from its mother and begins to live independently, it is taken to a new home.

Before you bring a kitten, you should first prepare everything:

• Buy a tray.
• Select and purchase filler.
• Buy a scoop for cleaning the tray.
• Choose a place for the toilet.

As soon as you bring the kitten into the house, place it in the litter box. To create the smell, you can take a napkin from the house where the kitten used to live, which was lying in the mother’s tray.

Show the kitten his toilet and let him get comfortable. The litter box must be in a secluded place so that the kitten feels comfortable and can do what he needs in silence and without distractions.

The next stage is to let the kitten get comfortable in the space. At the same time, he should not be frightened: nervous animals often have problems with training and adaptation. If the kitten gets scared, it may stop going to the litter box and it will be difficult to force it. The question of why a kitten doesn’t go to the toilet arises quite often, especially in the first months of its life in a new apartment.

In order for him to stop going to a place not intended for these purposes, you will have to make a little effort. In many ways, everything depends on the character of the pet and its intelligence, but occasionally there are cats that mark their territory. Usually this problem arises with the onset of puberty and there are other methods of solving it.

Perhaps the animal will learn on its own, but the owner will still have to help him and let him understand how to do it correctly.

The cat does not go to the litter box: what to do

A cat walking past the litter box is certainly one of the most unpleasant situations that can arise in a relationship with a pet. Some owners even, having tried everything, as it seems to them, to solve the problem and without achieving any results, decide to give the pet away. Unfortunately, there are many such cats in the Murkosha shelter. Most often, owners think that the cat is simply acting out of spite and this makes them even angrier. But in fact, a pet’s ignoring the litter box always has a rational reason, which is not so difficult to find and eliminate.

Problems with the toilet can be divided into two groups: the cat has stopped going to the litter box (although it used to use it regularly) or problems arise with accustoming the cat or kitten to the litter box.

1) The kitten does not go to the litter box in the new place

2) How to stop shitting in the wrong place

3) If the cat stops going to the litter box

The kitten does not go to the litter box in a new place

As soon as you bring a pet into your home, it doesn’t matter whether it’s an adult cat or a small kitten, it’s very important to immediately introduce it to the litter box. When the pet wants to go to the toilet (starts to fuss, sit down, run from corner to corner, as if looking for something), you need to take it to the litter box. When the animal relieves itself, it must be praised and given some kind of treat. Thanks to this, he will not only feel the love and care of his owner, but he will also develop a reflex: when you use the tray, they give him something tasty to eat and pet him.

Read more about litter box training: How to litter train an adult cat, How to litter train a kitten

It’s good if the cat understands everything the first time. But sometimes your pet may ignore the litter box at first. Below we have collected the most common reasons why this happens.

1. Inconvenient tray

The tray should be suitable for your pet in size and shape, and it should be comfortable to climb into. A tray that is too large may be inconvenient for a kitten; an adult cat will most likely refuse a small one, which she herself used while she was a kitten (due to its insufficient area). Trays with high sides are great for adults, but a kitten may find it difficult to climb into them. In general, choose a tray not “for growth”, but so that it is comfortable for your pet here and now.

2. Unpleasant filler

Sometimes a cat has nothing against the tray itself, but is not satisfied with the filler. For example, because it was different in its previous habitat. She may also be irritated by the smell of the litter or its texture. Try changing the filler. It is best to use the one that was familiar to the pet in its previous place. If you picked up a cat from the street, try sand instead of litter for the first time - this will remind the cat of its natural habitat. In the future, you can choose clay litter, since it is most similar to the soil to which such a cat is accustomed.

More information about the litter: What types of cat litter are there? Rating of the best cat litters All about absorbent cat litter All about silica gel cat litter Mineral cat litter: pros and cons All about clumping cat litter All about wood cat litter Cheap cat litter: pros and cons

3. Wrong place for the tray

Some owners believe that you can choose absolutely any place in the apartment for the cat litter box and the cat must meekly agree with this choice. This is mistake. Cats, with rare exceptions, will not relieve themselves in front of everyone. The place intended for the cat's toilet should be convenient, first of all, for the pet, and not for the owner. Otherwise, the cat will simply find such a place on its own, and it doesn’t matter whether the tray is there or not. Therefore, a space that is too open and where people often walk is not suitable. It is also absolutely unacceptable for there to be any constant noise or sharp sounds near the cat litter box - a washing machine, a faulty tap, etc. Cats prefer secluded, quiet, fairly dark places. The ideal option is a bathroom or toilet, or a closet, but only if there are not too many things there, otherwise the cat may begin to relieve itself on them rather than in the tray. A balcony is also suitable, but only if it is glazed and insulated - after all, a toilet is needed at any time of the year, and not just in summer.

You can trust the choice of place to the cat himself. Place several trays in different parts of the apartment. Most can be removed later when the pet chooses 1-2 places. Also, if you notice that the cat goes to a specific place, place the tray there too.

Important: there should be 1 more trays in the house than cats (for one - 2 trays, for two - 3, etc.). Some cats prefer to use different litter boxes.

4. Lack of free access to the tray

The cat should have free access to its toilet. Always. This means no closed doors if the tray is behind that door. This may not always be convenient. But otherwise, the cat, seeing a closed door, may decide that it is no longer possible to go there, and as a result, will be forced to find another place for the toilet.

5. Unpleasant associations

As we have already said, if a cat settles in the wrong place, you need to move it to the tray. But under no circumstances should you shout at him or behave aggressively. Otherwise, he will begin to associate screams and threats with the litter box. And cats diligently avoid everything with which they have unpleasant associations. In this case, you may need to not only change your behavior, but also move the tray to another location or even change it.

How to stop shitting in the wrong place

Thus, a convenient tray in a secluded place (but which is always accessible) and a familiar litter greatly simplifies the process of training a cat to use the tray. Using the advice of the Murkosha shelter team, you can avoid the most common problems with the litter box, which will have a positive impact on your relationship with your pet.

If a cat or kitten still manages to go to the wrong place, you need to (in addition to correcting the reasons for ignoring the litter box) do the following:

• thoroughly wash all places where the animal relieved itself with disinfectants;
• spray citrus spray in dirty corners;
• put food in the corner where the cat is used to shitting;
• place trays in places where the cat likes to relieve itself (when the animal chooses one tray, the rest can be removed).

Read more about fixing litter box problems: How to stop a kitten from pooping in the wrong place?

If the cat stops going to the litter box

It also happens that a cat regularly uses the tray for a long time, and then suddenly stops. Naturally, she has not forgotten what it is and why it is needed (with the exception of pets at a very advanced age). And as we mentioned, she doesn't do this to spite you. So instead of getting angry, we need to understand what has changed. Changes may be related to the litter box itself, to the cat, or to the situation around it.

1. The tray is no longer convenient

When the animal grows up, the size of the tray (which was purchased for the kitten) may be too small for it. In this case, you just need to buy a larger tray.

Read more about choosing a tray: What types of trays for cats are there and how to choose them correctly Tray-house for cats: what is it Tray with a grid: advantages and disadvantages Is it worth choosing an automatic tray for cats?

2. Dirt

Perhaps it's time to change the filler and rinse the tray thoroughly. Cats are very clean. Sometimes even dirt next to the tray can cause a refusal to use it. Often cats stop going to the litter box if the litter has not been changed for a long time and dirt, moisture, and excrement have accumulated in it.

It is worth changing the litter on average once every 2 days (if several cats use the litter box - every day). At least once every 2 weeks (if more than one cat uses the litter box - once a week), you need to wash the entire litter box. In this case, you will need to wash not only with warm water, but also use a mild detergent, or, alternatively, dishwashing detergent. In general, anything that does not leave behind a strong chemical smell will do. Cats are irritated by pungent odors; if this remains on the tray, your pet will almost certainly choose another place as a toilet. By the way, you can also wash the tray using a regular solution of baking soda and warm water.

3. New smells

This is why it is so important to use products that do not leave an odor when washing. Especially avoid using scented cleansers that smell like citrus. Cats simply hate this smell.

If the kitten stopped going to the litter box after the last cleaning, most likely this is the reason. It will help to rinse the tray again with plenty of water.

If you haven't used detergents or haven't cleaned recently, you may have switched to a new brand of litter (especially if it's aromatic) - so a new smell has appeared. It’s better to go back to the old, familiar filler.

4. Health problems

Sometimes cats walk past the litter box when they are sick or not feeling well. It is even possible that for one reason or another it is the trip to the litter box that causes pain. Because of this, the pet decides to stay away from him. In this case, you need to visit a veterinarian - only he will be able to make a diagnosis and prescribe (if necessary) a course of treatment. The tray design may also need to be replaced.

5. Stress

It also happens that something frightens a cat when it is doing its business in the litter box: a loud noise (in the apartment or on the street), a sharp scream or crying. Or the reason may be some drastic changes in the house - moving, changing the environment, the appearance of new people and animals. In general, a cat walks past the litter box because it is afraid, nervous, or simply depressed.

In these conditions, it is important to show the pet that he is still loved, that the home is still safe, and therefore there is no need to worry. By the way, cats tolerate stress more easily if they have their own private corner that belongs only to them (a house, a play complex, even just a place with a bed, preferably at a height), where they can hide and be in solitude and silence. You can also use medications to reduce stress levels, such as Feliway and catnip. Once the stress has passed, your pet should return to his normal habits, including using the litter box.

Read more about calming medications: How to calm an aggressive cat

As you can see, you can always find a reason why a kitten does not go to the litter box. Find and fix. Perhaps he needs the help of a veterinarian; he may need to replace the tray or filler, or even simply rearrange it or rinse it more thoroughly. In any case, some problems are not a reason to think about parting with your pet.

And if there is no cat in the house yet, you should think about getting one. And don’t think that it will be difficult to accustom your pet to the tray. If you do everything correctly and follow our recommendations, the probability of success will be close to 100%. In the end, you can take a kitten or an adult cat who is already familiar with the litter box. The Murkosha shelter will help you with this - all of our charges are trained to a tray and a scratching post, as well as vaccinated, have a veterinary passport and are ready to communicate with people.

Toilet training process

The little kitten goes to the toilet quite often and can't stand it. The owner will have to learn to determine when he wants to do his business. As soon as the baby begins to squat, he should be calmly transferred to the tray. If suddenly the kitten manages to make a puddle, it should be wiped with a strong odor-repellent agent.

A cat litter box without litter and with one mesh is, of course, convenient for the owner, it is easier to clean and no money is spent on it, however, it can be difficult to immediately accustom a kitten to the litter box for the reason that the cub does not understand what they want from him.

Under natural conditions, animals relieve themselves on the ground or in the sand, and then bury them. You can imitate natural conditions if you use bulk filler. The kitten will be happy to dig into it and this will help make it stop going to the toilet in other places.

Additionally, when the process of accustoming to a place occurs, you can use a special spray. Please note that there are two types of training aids:

• Repellent. They have a strong aroma and mask the smell in the place where the kitten went.
• Attractive. This spray is sprayed directly into the cat's litter box so that habituation in the apartment takes place as quickly as possible.

Usually, training a kitten to use a litter tray is not difficult. Cats are clean animals and get used to going to one place, but for the pet to get used to it quickly, this place must be comfortable.

We train the cat to use the toilet

Wait until the kitten is 6 months old; after this age, the animal can safely perform the entire procedure in the toilet without using a tray. Also, make sure that the structure of your toilet is safe for the animal in case it accidentally falls into the water. If he can’t get out of the water easily enough, think about it: maybe you shouldn’t train your cat to use the toilet. Or use a special toilet nozzle sold in the store, more about it below.

1. Start by moving the litter box to the toilet.
2. As soon as the cat begins to constantly go to the right place, place a book or a stack of newspapers 2-3 cm high under the tray every 1-2 days in the first days, and then up to 5-8 cm per day.
3. Thus, by about 10-15 days the tray will be at the height of the toilet. Leave the tray on the closed toilet lid for a couple of days.
4. If the cat is used to going to the right place, periodically remove the tray, open the toilet lid and leave a little litter at the bottom (if provided for by the design).
5. It will take some time for the cat to get used to the toilet and the absence of a tray. The training may take a week, or maybe 2-3 months. Be patient and don’t scold the cat for things that don’t work out right away. On the contrary, be polite and affectionate with him. He feels good and will be more willing to learn new things.

The corner of the litter box is an ideal place to place your cat's litter box. And for toilet training it is a mandatory and necessary condition.

Attention! Pay attention to special toilet attachments for cats, they are sold in pet stores. This is an easier and faster way to train your cat to use the toilet, and you will also protect him from accidentally falling into the water, since the grate blocks access to water. A person will have to remove the nozzle when going to the toilet, and when leaving the toilet, do not forget to put the nozzle back.

Training errors

If your kitten does not go to the toilet, this may happen for the following reasons:

1. The tray is not convenient enough.
2. The animal was scared in the place where the tray was installed.
3. The kitten was taken too early, and the mother cat did not have time to teach her to go to the litter box on her own.
4. The animal has health problems, so it does not have time to reach the place.

If a kitten does not go to the toilet, this problem must be corrected as quickly as possible: the main character traits are formed in childhood, and it will be more difficult to retrain later. The owner must be persistent, but at the same time gentle, so as not to scare the small pet.

Hygiene needs to be paid attention from the very first days of the animal’s appearance in the apartment. The spray is an excellent tool if you need to wean off marks and change your pet's behavior when the kitten does not go to the toilet.

How to stop a kitten from pooping in inappropriate places

First of all, thoroughly rinse the places where your pet went to the toilet until the smell is completely removed. Use table vinegar, chlorinated solutions and other cleaning products.

To eliminate odor, do not use ammonia-based products. Such a remedy, on the contrary, may attract a cat, since the urine contains ammonia.

Try to block your pet's access to this place by forcing it with heavy objects or furniture. If this is not possible, cover the area with double-sided sticky tape or cover it with aluminum foil. Getting your paws stuck is quite unpleasant, and the sound of the foil is extremely unpleasant.

Place bowls of food and water in the area that the cat has made his toilet. Cats don't eat in the same place they defecate.

Many strong odors are unpleasant to cats. They do not like citrus fruits, the aromas of garlic, cloves, black pepper, and lavender. Perfumes also cause irritation. Use this to your advantage and spray scents into "illegal" toilet areas. This method is especially convenient for flower pots.

Sprinkle the soil of the pot with coffee grounds, this smell is also unpleasant for cats

Watch the animal. As soon as you see something coming, quickly take it to the tray. Perhaps he has not yet learned the beauty of cat litter.

Do not put your cat's nose in feces; animals generally do not understand this strange gesture. For them, this is more of a punishment rather than training, which will not teach anything, but will harbor a strong resentment.

Don't wash your cat's litter thoroughly. If you remove all natural odors when cleaning, this may disorient the kitten, and next time he will not recognize his box. Use only water and a brush, no additional cleaning products.

Try using regular soil or sand instead of commercial litter. Some shelter cats have previously lived outside and are accustomed to using natural soil.

Encourage your pet to do the right things. He should have a positive experience: if I do this, I will be praised.

How to litter train an outdoor kitten

More work needs to be done with street kittens, since the cat has not taught them to use a litter box. The scheme of actions is the same as when training a pet, adjusted for the age of training the baby to the tray.

The first hours of being in the house are especially important. The baby must be under constant supervision. Your pet must be taken to the toilet every time he decides to defecate. Take him in your arms, caress him, tell him how good he is.

After emptying, do not forget to give a treat, praise, and express delight. Some kittens are quite stubborn and prone to running away, so it is important to limit their movements.

Suitable filler

Many owners skip this important step. But the more correctly the filler is selected, the faster your ward will remember where his toilet is. A natural and safe filler is suitable as a filler: sand, but it requires constant replacement. Granular litters are a good idea. Some manufacturers even offer special fillers - when urine gets into them, they form into a dense lump. It is simply taken out and thrown away.

• Some kittens try to eat litter, so to be safe, choose natural and safe litter.
• It is not recommended to buy brands with fragrances and fillers with antibacterial properties; most of them contain chemicals that are toxic to babies.
• It is also worth abandoning clumping fillers. They are only suitable for adult cats, but for babies this is a serious danger; kittens can swallow the lump.

Litters containing wood and corn pellets are excellent for litter box training. You should not change the litter until the kitten is used to the toilet.

Adult cats

In mature individuals, problems with bowel movements are associated with a large number of possible complications. The most common among them are as follows:

Hairballs stuck in esophagus

Since cats periodically lick themselves, it is naive to think that all the “eaten” fur leaves the animal’s body unhindered. On the contrary, this fluff tends to compact and block the intestines, making it problematic not only to get rid of feces, but also to form them. To help your cat digest fur, it is advisable to add grass to his diet. We talk about what other methods you can resort to to help your cat clear the esophagus of hair below.

Helping your cat cough up fur

Inactive lifestyle

The functioning of digestion largely depends on physical activity, and if your pet is a couch potato, then you should not even dream of a well-coordinated functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. To balance the metabolism and normalize the process of digesting food, it is necessary to pay attention to the pet and engage it in games that require movement.

Normally, domestic carnivores must move a lot to digest the food they eat.

Hunting season

During sexual arousal, uncastrated animals experience a hormonal surge that radically changes their daily habits. Cats may refuse to eat, and, as a result, refuse to use the litter box simply because they are driven by other goals and do not notice their “base” needs while searching for a partner. As already mentioned, the only way to avoid the urge to mate in cats is to castrate them on time.

Loss of appetite and the urge to bowel movement is typical for both males and females during sexual heat

Postpartum period

The first days after the birth of kittens, the female experiences severe stress, especially if lambing occurs for the first time. This stress is associated both with physiological overload and with the need to feed the kittens. Cats prepare in advance for childbirth and strive to cleanse the intestines as much as possible, so the absence of stool in a recently lambed pet is normal. It is worth contacting a veterinarian if the cat continues to ignore the tray for a long time.

To speed up the recovery of a lambing cat, make sure she has enough food and water.

Recovery after castration

An operation is always a shock to a pet’s body. He is worried not only about healing wounds in the groin area, but also about the effects of anesthesia, which impair coordination and inhibit the functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, it is not surprising that a cat leaving the operation will miss the tray or not reach it at all. At such moments, he can barely keep his balance and needs the help of his owner.

It may be difficult for a cat to go to the usual litter box due to a wound that stretches with movement.

Moreover, sometimes the instillation process itself can be dangerous for the animal due to small particles of filler getting into the cut areas of the flesh. To avoid irritation of wounds, owners use cat diapers to facilitate the pet's recovery.