Daily Kitten Chat Forum » Purrs

1. 

   I've got three kittens, two of whom have discovered the litter box. They may have an occasional accident but they go to the box when they need to go, or allow me to place them in it to go. Now one of the kittens REFUSES to touch the box. I put her in and she scurries away. She has not once, in the last 2 weeks used the litter box. Even when she's in the process of eliminating will she use it; she'll start outside the box, wait, get out of the box, and go again on the floor. It's incredibly frustrating. I'm using the Pellets litter. I really don't know what else to do. We've tried two sizes of litter box, neither of which she even attempted. Any tips would be appreciated.

   In case you're wondering...I've helped them scratch at the litter, I've left feces in there, I give them positive reinforcement when they use it, and give them a tap on the nose with a stern No when they go outside the box. This kitten won't even take the time to smell the litter. Once she's in, she's out.

   Posted 5 months ago by Tobert #

2. 

   You might try a smaller litter pan with a different type of litter in it for kitty #3. Sometimes the feel of the litter or the smell will make a difference. Then there are some kitties that refuse to share a litter box. Give this a try first and see how she responds.

   Posted 5 months ago by 2bpurring #

3. 

   We'll give it a shot. The problem was, we were going to target and Petsmart and neither place had anything besides clumping or pellets, so our options were extremely limited. I think I saw some pine though, so we'll see if that works. I did see Wheat litter, but that clumps too...Hm.

   Posted 5 months ago by Tobert #

4. 

   I'm going to try the wheat litter and hope for the best, and a separate, smaller litter box for Daisy.

   Posted 5 months ago by Tobert #

5. 

   PetSmart has a litter called "Kitten Attract". Put it in a separate litter box and confine the kitten in a small room until she uses it consistently. Don't put the food & water too close to it.

   Posted 5 months ago by Sheba's Mom in Phx, AZ #

6. 

   I thought that the "Kitten Attract" Litter was clumping? I just checked the website for that particular litter and according to the doctor, the notion of the clumping litter becoming a stomach or intestinal issue is "unfounded", so I guess we can give it a shot. Hope for the best! But how long do I confine her with the litter box?

   Posted 5 months ago by Tobert #

7. 

   Baby may have a UTI. Litterbox avoidance is a common symptom. It is the only way they have of saying it hurts to do that.

   Posted 5 months ago by ailuromaniac #

8. 

   Ugh..she just peed on our bed, again. We won't be going to the vet until at least next week so hopefully it's just the litter and not that. She doesn't seem to have an issue with going to the bathroom, just doing it in the litter box.

   And she doesn't seem to be exhibiting any of the other signs of UTI. Yes, she eliminates anywhere she wants, but she's been doing it since she started going on her own. But yeah. It makes me sad to have pee-pee sheets. :(

   Posted 5 months ago by Tobert #

9. 

   Sometimes the avoidance of the litter box is the only sign you'll get of the UTI. Glad you're heading to the vet soon...he should remove any question of the UTI...meantime...hope you've got lots of laundry soap! =(

   Posted 5 months ago by Karenopa #

10. 

    Thanks to all who've made suggestions so far. I've been doing a better job of keeping her off the bed. We bought a new box and Kitten Attract today and she seems to be giving it a chance by sniffing it and staying in for more than a second. The bag does say 8 weeks+ (she's 6 weeks tomorrow), but hopefully it won't be too huge a deal if I can keep an eye on her during the day with not eating it, although I'm not sure how I can do that with all three during the day unless I put her box away before bed time...

    Posted 5 months ago by Tobert #

11. 

    .... have you tried the basic clay, un-clumping litter, like just regular "FRESH STEP". from the grocery?.... that is all my little divas will used, and I mix tidy cat crystals in with it for odor control, and no one that has ever been to my house knows I have cats.... additionally, I change/clean their boxes once a week, and scoop daily... works for me!... (huggs)) hope you find a happy medium for you little one!

    Posted 5 months ago by AV #

12. 

    I'd really have to go to a Wal-mart because the two stores I frequent, and really the only options (Target & Petsmart) have pretty much the same limited selections. But to answer your question, no, I haven't tried that. Just the pellet stuff and now this kitten attract. Hopefully we can get her using the box before we move, or else I'll need to stock up on carpet cleaners. But I remain optimistic.

    Posted 5 months ago by Tobert #

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