How to Train a Kitten to Use a Litter Box

Did you recently adopt a kitten? Congratulations!

One of the first things you’ll want to do with a new kitten is to litter box train them. The good news: training a kitten to use a litter box is far easier than training a puppy to go to the bathroom outside. Cats naturally prefer to go to the bathroom on sand or soil. So, your carpets and floors won’t be that attractive of a bathroom alternative to your new kitten.

The bad news? Though their instincts will lead them to using the litter box, sometimes other factors interfere with the instincts of a cat. Some kittens might require a bit more training to become comfortable with using their litter box.

Below is a step-by-step guide on how to litter box train kittens. Then, we’ll provide you with a breakdown of the different types of litter that are available for your cat.

Set Up the Litter Box

This first step is an easy one. To train your cat to use a litter box, you’re going to first need litter and a tray to place it in. We’ll get into the types of litter a little later on, but there’s also a variety of tray sizes and styles that you can choose from.

Litter Box Type

The two primary types are open and enclosed. An open litter tray is the most common. They allow your cat to easily access the litter box and make emptying much easier for the pet owner. However, there are a couple of drawbacks to an open litter box.

First, depending on where you place your litter box, there’s nothing covering the sight or smell of your cat’s waste. Second, an open litter box will likely require more surrounding cleaning, since your cat will kick up small litter grains when burying their poop.

An enclosed litter box is great for people who want to spare themselves from seeing and smelling their cat’s waste. These litter boxes feature ceilings that cover the litter tray, leaving only a space for your cat to enter and exit. The ceiling does a great job of catching litter debris, making for a contained cleaning process.

The drawbacks of an enclosed litter box are that they’re more expensive than open trays and require a bit more work to access when cleaning. Your cat will get accustomed to either type of box, so the decision between an open box and an enclosed one is up to the owner’s preference.

Location Matters

Once you have your box picked out, you’ll want to find a good location for it. Cats, like most mammals, are creatures of habit, so you’ll want to place your litter box in a permanent location. Don’t place the litter box next to the kitten’s food bowl or bed. Cats do not like to eliminate where they eat or have their nest. If you place a litter box too close to a cat’s nest, they may pick a more comfortable spot to eliminate, such as behind the couch, far away from their resting and dining area.

Put the litter box in a quiet, low-traffic area, such as in a spare bathroom or bathroom. A corner location is better than out in the open because a cat needs to feel secure. If your cat has only got two directions to watch instead of four (and feels they have an escape route), they’ll be more relaxed.

Additionally, some cats are nervous and don’t like things that are too close to them. Even a hanging plant that blows in the breeze or casts shadows can prompt your cat to search for a different location.

Place the Kitten in the Litter Box

It’s a good idea to set up the litter box before first bringing your kitten home. When you do bring the kitten home, you’ll want to gently place them into their litter box right away. There’s very little chance they’ll go to the bathroom, but you’re showing them where it is.

Shortly after your kitten eats, you’ll want to place them back into the litter box. There’s a better chance than before that they’ll use the bathroom this time, but if not don’t be alarmed. Cats want to feel safe and comfortable when they eliminate. Being that your kitten has just met you and is in an unfamiliar location, it might take them awhile to feel safe and comfortable.

Praise Your Kitty When They Use the Litter Box

Continue to gently carry your kitten to the litter box until they use it. If the little guy is taking a while to go, don’t get frustrated and don’t raise your voice. Your cat will sense your frustration and feel your negative energy if you lose patience with them. Give them plenty of time to get comfortable in their new home.

When they eventually pee or poop, make sure to give them plenty of love. Providing treats and affection will give them incentive to continue using the litter box.

If your kitten still hasn’t gone or is having regular accidents outside of the litter box, here’s a list of potential explanations.

Types of Kitty Litter

Cats, by nature, dig and scratch in soft soil out of doors, often burying their waste. The litter you provide substitutes for the dirt outside. The big question facing you in the cat-litter aisle is: What is the best material to use?

There are a number of litter materials to choose from, including clay-type litters and those made from plant materials. Some cats will refuse to eliminate on particular types of litters, but most cats, especially kittens, will adjust to whatever you provide for them.

It’s all a matter of taste: both yours and your cats. Does your cat prefer fine sand or chunky pellets? Do you prefer clumping or non-clumping litter? Do you prefer a litter that’s ecologically friendly? Is tracking or odor control your most important concern? Depending on your answers, different litters will work better for you and your kitten.

Clumping Cat Litter

Clumping cat litter is designed so that urine and feces can easily be removed from the litter box. Most contain a material known as bentonite that allows the litter to form a nice solid clump as it absorbs liquid. There are also alternative all-natural fibers that can help clump the cat litter tightly. Some clumping cat litters have odor-killing properties to help contain the smell, such as Purina’s clumping litter, which uses a Glade odor killer to provide your kitten and your home with a fresher smelling litter.

Just because clumping cat litter is easier to remove, doesn’t mean you can empty your kitten’s box less often. Your cat’s remains should be emptied at least every other day: daily is the most ideal.

Non-Clumping Litter

While clumping litter is more popular today, non-clumping cat litter was once the most commercial cat litter option. Non-clumping litter uses materials that a great at absorbing large volumes of urine, which helps cut down on the pungent smell. While there are unscented litters available, some non-clumping litters also have additional additives, such as baking soda or charcoal, which are designed to help control unpleasant odors.

Non-clumping litter is typically made of clay, though there are other types available such as plant-based alternatives (e.g., pine, corn, wheat, beet pulp, and wood). Typically, it is cheaper to buy non-clumping litter than it is to buy clumping.

Cleaning a non-clumping litter box can be more of a challenge than a clumping one. It can be difficult to isolate your cat’s remains in a non-clumping litter, which may force you to change the entire box. Because of this, non-clumping litter is not economically friendly.

Eco-Friendly Litter

Environmentally friendly cat litters are often made of recycled waste products, such as newspaper. They can also be made of biodegradable material, including wheat, corn, and wood chips that break down easily in landfills. Some of these litters have the consistency of fine sand while others come in pelleted form.

What’s the downside? You may not like the dust of fine litter, and your cat may not like the extra work of covering stool with, what amounts to, small rocks. If you’d like to try a green litter option, start with an eco-friendly choice with your young kitten. The older your cat gets, the harder it might be to introduce new types of litter.

Stay Consistent

Whether you decide to use a clumping litter in an open litter box, a non-clumping litter in an enclosed box, or an eco-friendly litter in a custom walk-in box you designed, once you find a litter your cat likes, stick with it. Try to avoid introducing a new type of box or litter to your cat. Cats are very particular, and litter changes can lead to unwelcome modifications in bathroom habits. Do your best to avoid the temptation when a different type of litter is on sale. Your cat will greatly appreciate the consistency of their bathroom experience.