Litter Training Your Kitten: A Step by Step Guide

In this guide

Most kittens start gaining bladder and bowel control, and begin watching their mother use the litter box, from around three to four weeks of age, so many arrive in a new home already halfway there. Your job is mostly to set up the right conditions and stay patient while the habit settles in a new environment.

Getting started

• Choose a shallow box that is easy for small legs to climb into
• Avoid clumping litter for kittens under eight to ten weeks old, since curious kittens sometimes nibble litter and clumping types can be a concern if swallowed. A soft, non clumping or paper pellet litter is safer at this stage
• Keep the kitten confined to one small room to begin with, complete with food, water, bedding and the litter box placed a sensible distance from the food

Step by step

• Place your kitten in the box after meals, naps and play sessions, which are the times cats most often need to go
• Gently draw a paw through the litter to demonstrate scratching and digging if the kitten seems unsure
• Praise calmly when your kitten uses the box correctly. Never scold or punish an accident, since this only teaches a kitten to hide rather than to use the box
• Watch for early signs such as sniffing around, circling, or scratching at the floor, and guide your kitten to the box when you notice these

Common mistakes to avoid

• Introducing too large a home area too soon, before the habit is firmly established
• Using strongly scented litter, which can put off a kitten still learning what the box is for
• Moving the box location repeatedly during the training period

When your kitten is ready for more freedom

Once your kitten is reliably using the box for a couple of weeks without accidents, you can gradually open up access to the rest of the home, adding an extra box near any new area they spend a lot of time in.

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