How to Litter Train a Kitten

Kittens often learn to use a litter box by copying their mother, according to iCatCare. Your job is to make the right choice easy: a box sized for a small kitten, a litter it likes, a quiet spot, and a habit of setting the kitten in the box after meals and naps. If you adopt an older kitten, PetMD says you can start as soon as you bring it home.

Set Up the Right Box

A standard adult box can be too big for a tiny kitten. The Cornell Feline Health Center notes that kittens and senior cats need boxes with low sides. A low entry means a small kitten can climb in and out without a struggle.

For overall size, iCatCare recommends a tray about 1.5 times the length of the cat. A kitten will outgrow a small tray, so plan to swap in a larger one as it grows.

Lids are worth a thought. If you have the space, offering one covered and one uncovered box lets the kitten show you which it prefers. Self-cleaning boxes need extra care, because VCA notes that some are not suitable for kittens and suggests checking the manufacturer’s age and weight limits first.

How many boxes you need depends on how many cats live in your home. Our guide on how many litter boxes per cat walks through the numbers and layout.

Choose a Kitten-Friendly Litter

PetMD says most cats prefer fine-grain litter, and that kittens younger than 8 to 10 weeks who are just learning should use non-clumping litter. Older kittens can switch to clumping litter later, and it is fine to try a few types. PetMD also suggests keeping litter 2 to 3 inches deep during training.

Depth advice varies. The ASPCA says cats usually prefer one to two inches of litter, and that scented litter can put some cats off. Because the sources differ, start within the range they give and adjust based on what your kitten does.

If you can find out what the kitten used before, iCatCare suggests considering the same litter from its previous home. Ask the breeder, shelter or foster what they used. If you change litters later, mix the new one in gradually rather than switching overnight. For a full rundown of options, see our guide to types of cat litter.

Where to Put the Box

Pick a quiet spot that is easy for the kitten to reach. iCatCare advises keeping the tray away from food, water and busy areas of the home.

• Avoid a spot so hidden that the kitten could feel trapped, and avoid noisy appliances or doorways with lots of traffic.
• In a multi-level home, make sure a box is reachable from wherever the kitten spends time.
• Keep the food bowl across the room from the box, not beside it.
• If you have a dog, place the box where the dog cannot get to it.

Step-by-Step Routine

1. Start in one room. VCA says it is best to confine a new kitten to a room while it adapts, ideally the room where the box will go. In a home with other pets, adjusting can take longer, so ask your veterinarian if you are unsure. Our new kitten checklist covers the other supplies for that room.
2. Introduce the box. Let the kitten look at and sniff the box, then set it down gently inside. Keep the mood calm and unhurried.
3. Place the kitten in the box at predictable times. PetMD recommends putting the kitten in the box each time it eats, drinks or wakes from a nap, until it goes on its own. It also suggests offering a treat immediately after the kitten leaves the box.
4. Stay close and watch for cues. VCA advises being with the kitten through sleep and wake-up times, when it is most likely to need to go. If you see it sniffing or scratching at the floor, move it to the box. You can also scratch the litter with your hand or a spoon to show what it is for, without frightening the kitten.
5. Allow supervised exploring only after a trip to the box. The same VCA page says to let the kitten roam only under supervision after it has used the box, and to return it to its room when you cannot watch. Keep this up until it uses the box reliably.
6. Keep the box clean. The PetMD guidance suggests scooping after every elimination while training, then daily once the kitten uses the box consistently, with a thorough wash weekly.

No source gives a reliable timeline for how long it takes, so judge progress by your kitten’s habits rather than a calendar.

Accidents

Accidents are part of learning, and punishment makes things worse. PetMD says not to punish or yell at a kitten. VCA warns that punishment can make a cat secretive or fearful about eliminating and can damage its trust in you. Do not rub the kitten’s nose in the spot or carry it to the mess.

Clean the spot calmly and thoroughly with an enzyme product, since lingering odor can encourage a repeat. The ASPCA says to avoid ammonia-based cleaners and notes that stress, such as a move or a new pet or person, can cause litter box problems. Our guide to enzyme cleaners for pet urine explains what to look for.

If the kitten keeps going in the same place, it can help to put a box near that spot. It can also help to try a different litter, remove the lid, or move the box, and to offer more than one style of box.

Kittens Without a Mother

Alley Cat Allies explains that kittens under 4 weeks must be stimulated to go to the bathroom after each feeding, by gently rubbing the anal area with a warm, damp cotton ball or cloth. If a kitten has trouble urinating or passing stool, contact your veterinarian.

The same source says box training can begin at 4 weeks, though some kittens look for a place to go from around 2.5 weeks. It recommends a small, shallow litter pan with non-clumping litter, and advises against paper or cloth because it can teach bad habits. Show the kitten the pan and place a used cotton ball in it.

When to Call the Vet

If a kitten keeps going outside the box despite a good setup, get it checked. The Cornell Feline Health Center says cats with litter box problems should be examined by a veterinarian. Many conditions can cause the problem, so raise it early rather than waiting. For more on causes, read why a cat pees outside the litter box.

Tools That Help

A sturdy scoop and a lidded pail make it easier to scoop after every trip during training, and an enzyme cleaner handles accidents. For more cleaners, see our guide to the best pet stain removers for carpet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can you start litter training a kitten?

Training can begin around 4 weeks, when you offer a small, shallow pan. Kittens under 4 weeks need to be stimulated after feeding. If an older kitten has just come home, start right away.

Should I use clumping litter for a young kitten?

Sources suggest non-clumping litter for kittens younger than 8 to 10 weeks who are just learning. Older kittens can move to clumping litter later. Introduce any new litter gradually.

What should I do when my kitten has an accident?

Do not punish or scold. Clean the spot with an enzyme cleaner, review the box size, litter and location, and place the kitten in the box after meals and naps. If accidents continue, talk to your veterinarian.

How many litter boxes does a kitten need?

A common guideline from the sources is one box per cat plus one extra. While the kitten is confined to its starter room, keep a box in that room, then add boxes as it gains access to more of the house so one is easy to reach on every floor.

Sources

• PetMD, How To Litter Train a Kitten
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Housetraining for Kittens and Cats
• VCA Animal Hospitals, How To Litter Train Your Kitten
• iCatCare, Helping your new cat or kitten settle in
• iCatCare, Choosing a litter tray for your cat
• Alley Cat Allies, Caring for Neonatal Kittens
• ASPCA, Litter Box Problems
• Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling

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