We got a new kitten!! (I have a question)

Shorty2U · ‎03-09-2010

This may be kind of a long kitten story, sorry but I know there are a lot of pet owners on here so thought someone may have suggestions.

We got a new tuxedo kitten late today. The kitten is so adorable and loves to cuddle and play with our cat toys. (Our 1 cat just passed away weeks ago and we have 2 others, and I had said no more, but when i heard this kittens story well we had to take in this kitten).

We havent decided on a name yet b/c it is sometimes hard to tell the sex this young BUT we are 95% sure its a girl. (My DH had a cat once and thought it was a girl and the vet said it was a boy..lol.. so we thought to be sure we will wait till it sees the vet) .

Anyway the kitten is approximately 4 weeks old. Why do we have her at 4 weeks? A friend of the family found 3 kittens in her alley after that big NE snow storm 4 weeks ago. 2 of them had passed away (during the storm is the assumption), and the mother was gone and never came back. So sad!

She had her husband bury the 2 kittens and she took in this newborn kitten who was all alone, but she couldnt keep the kitten long term due to her other animals.

She bottle fed the kitten and said she was litter trained. The kitten is in excellent condition. We are still giving her formula and also kitten wet food (but only a little at first to make sure and again until we ask our vet being shes so young).

Now here is the issue. At first she went in the box but later tonight she had 2 accidents on our flooring. We had put her in the box off and on to show her and as I said, the person that had her said she was fully trained.

But I just read online that the mother cats help train the kittens to go in the box and kittens dont use the box properly until 4 weeks (her age). So online it says if the kitten is an orphaned kitten to keep training the kitten yourself with the right kind of litter (which we have) and keep the kitten in 1 small room. So now (When I am not holding her/playing with her) I put her in our one bathroom with a warm blanket on the floor and the litter box is in there.

I never knew the mother trains young kittens to use litter boxes, (of course if the mother was still around and was outside she couldnt litter house train the kitten anyway). I wonder is the kitten just confused from being with this person that found her? Or did the person just say she was trained?

At any rate does anyone have suggestions to make sure she gets fully triained to go in the box other than what I typed, because every time we got kittens in the past they were fully trained bc they were older than this cat. Of course the vet will also shed light on this too and we are calling the vet in the morning to set up an appt.

And in the end, the love you take is equal to the love you make~ The Beatles

Hoovermom · ‎03-19-2010

A pregnant cat was dropped off at our shop, and she gave birth to 4 precious kitties. These kitties did not use the litter box until @ 6-8 weeks or so......the mother took care of their excretions. Since they were nursed @ 8 weeks or so they did'n't have normal BM's. This is just my experience. The mother cat did train them to clean themselves and also use the litter box. I was concerned because I did not see enough waste in the litter box for that many kittens. So, to Google I went and found this out. I am sure your Vet will help you with any questions you have. Blessings to you with your new furbaby.

Ane1Care · ‎05-16-2010

When you can tell it's time to go, or they start to go wherever, quickly put them in the litter box. Other times, I'd put them in the litter box, and scratch the litter with my index and middle finger. They got the idea. Then a, "good job", and treat after.

I never kept mine suclued. Just kept an eye on them. Accidents happened, as with potty training a human, but I just cleaned it up without fuss. TMI, but, I would put dried poop on top of the litter, put one kitten in the box, and their nose and nature would want to bury it. Haha! It helped to click the light bulb for them.

Do you plan to house break it later? Or in doors only?

Catty2 · ‎09-06-2014

I think it's a good idea to keep her in a room with her own litter box until she learns what to do. Since she's so small, maybe even an 8 x 8 disposable aluminum cake pan would work. I would try putting her in the box and then scratch the litter with your fingers so she can that it moves around. After she learns I would suggest you have one litter box per cat, even though they can use all of them. Make sure to keep them clean and scooped out. Good luck with your new kitty! She's so lucky to find a good home.

sandraskates · ‎06-26-2014

I don't have much advice but I wanted to say congratulations on your new little friend! Hubby came with a tuxedo cat.

I seem to recall taking a kitten, placing him in the litter box and then moving him back and forth so his little paws felt the litter; I think this simulates what they do in the dirt.

You'll get some other suggestions and your vet should be helpful. Give you new kitty some time.

And a photo would be good. :-)

beach-mom · ‎03-09-2010

I asked DH and he said what you're doing is fine. Just don't keep her by herself in the room with the door closed. If you're concerned about her safety from the other cats at night, keep her with you - not by herself. Meanwhile keep her box in the bathroom with the blanket (and an open door) and eventually she'll get the idea! Try not to let anything frighten her while she's using the box. That might cause problems with her using it in the future. Congratulations on the newest member of your family!

Carmie · ‎10-25-2010

Cats and Kittys, too will go where there is a smell of urine. I suggest that when you clean up her mess from your floor that you place a piece of paper towel with her urine on it in the litter box. You can place feces in there too. Your kitty will be drawn to the litter box by the smell.

Also, be sure to clean up very well when there is urine on the floor. Use a product made to remove all odors or your kitty will keep going to that spot to do her business.

Best wishes to you and your new little one.

tedEbear · ‎03-22-2015

@Shorty2U-Congrats on the new kitten. When we had a kitten just so young and being bottled fed, we rubbed it's tummy from the neck on down to get potty going, then set them in litter box. Once we went on vacation and took a tiny one, I had a shoe box in front by my feet for the litter. Just do the tummy rub for a bit and then put in the box. Have fun!!!!----tedEbear

Rae-07 · ‎04-12-2010

I have had kittens and cats for many years but I don't claim to be anexpert. Please don't expect your new little four week old kitty to litter train himself at that age. He will do just fine when he reaches eight to ten weeks old.

show him the box and he will know what to do.