New Kitten Not Peeing In Litter Box?

kunoichi9280

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 20, 2019
Messages
57
Purraise
60
Location
Oregon
So I have a eight week old male kitten. So far he's been restricted to one room, and the litter box is obviously in that room. I got him Sat. night and he was pretty skittish on Sunday but he's really warmed up today and yesterday. He slept on my arm all last night. :)
I'm a little concerned, though, because I haven't seen him pee in the litter box. He's pooped twice since he's been here but he hasn't peed that I've seen. If he isn't peeing in the box the only other place he could be going is under my bed and I obviously want to stop that. If he's in the litter box and I move at all or look his way he jumps out. (Unfortunately I don't have a way to block off access to under my bed, and until this weekend I won't have help to move my bed and see what's going on under there. ). Or could he be going when I'm gone and it just doesn't look like it? (I'm not using clumping litter, I'm using some organic, dust free kind that I can't remember the name of. ) He's eating and drinking well, he's zooming all over the place, and his tummy doesn't feel hard and it's not sensitive. I'm inclined to think peeing under my bed but I can't be sure.
What can I do encourage peeing in the box? And since he's so sensitive to attention, should I move the box to a different location? I'm thinking he might be ready to meet the rest of the apartment.
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,433
Purraise
33,192
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
If he seems like he doesn't want to be 'watched', you could try a covered litter box. And, until you determine whether or not he is peeing under your bed, I would be inclined to keep him confined to that one room. Otherwise, he might find other places to pee...
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #4

kunoichi9280

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 20, 2019
Messages
57
Purraise
60
Location
Oregon
Well, I checked the blanket I gave him to use as a bed and almost threw up (It was a throw blanket- wasn't smart of me!) That's what he's been using as a litter box. Needless to say I removed everything like that from the room, except the comforter on my bed. I think I need to assume he's not litter box trained and go from there. At least not fully. He goes in there, he scratches a few times, he's pooped twice; I think he just is still a little skittish. He's sleeping with me, he always wants cuddles, he's climbing up onto my lap as we speak, but when I stand up, he jumps.

I can't get a covered box until Thursday, but I can makeshift one with a large cardboard box I have, so I'll do that. And I do think I'll keep him confined until he's regularly going in the box. I moved his box to a corner of the room which is not easily observed- the same place that blanket was. And I'm going to start taking him to the box regularly. Am I missing anything?
 

FeebysOwner

TCS Member
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jun 13, 2018
Messages
22,433
Purraise
33,192
Location
Central FL (Born in OH)
Sounds like a good plan to me! If you don't plan on keeping the throw blanket, you could cut a few small pieces and place them in the litter box for scent association purposes?

Also, you might want to keep your makeshift litter box for awhile before you replace it, just to keep something 'static' for him until he seems comfortable with it and is using it regularly.

Good luck and let us know how it goes!!!
 
Last edited:

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,270
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
Oh, by the way, if you get a decent blacklight (be sure and check reviews before you buy) it might show you enough under the bed so you wouldn't have to move it if you're wanting to double-check there.
 

danteshuman

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
5,030
Purraise
6,077
Location
California
I got an open topped litter box with a shield (an extra part that gives it high sides on three sides and an entrance in the front.) I love it because it contains the litter, is easy to clean and the cats don’t feel trapped. It was cheap/affordable and worked great with the kittens. The bad news? A really dedicated litter kicker adult cat might get it over the top and my twerp cat climbs over the walls from one box to the other. All the cats (5 out of 5 so far) seem to prefer the option of being able to escape from the top. For my fosters at that age I got them these small disposable litter trays that were perfect baby kitten size. Also at that age he needs a box in every room he is in.

* At that age litter box accidents are common. Buy an enzyme cleaner (a black light might be handy) and maybe keep him in the bathroom for a week or two? Maybe use cat attract litter on top if he is still having problems in a month or two? Cats learn best by seeing other cats but I have shown orphaned baby kittens how to dig in (NEW) litter using 2 fingers on each hand. Because he is still a wee baby he is not potty trained yet.
* That poor baby should be with his family for at least a month more! Is there any way you can adopt a second kitten, maybe from the same litter? If not I would give him a ticking clock wrapped up in a towel for comfort.
* please use non clumping litter because kittens do silly/dumb things like eat litter. Clumping litter can harm/kill them.
:goodluck:
 

danteshuman

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
5,030
Purraise
6,077
Location
California
Nature’s Miracle Disposable Litter Boxes are great (I got the small size for little kittens.... but if need be you could cut an entrance to the side of a regular tray.) You can also use shoe boxes or the card board trays that you buy a flat of wet food in. You can always transition him to a bigger box later. He needs to be able to get into the litter box easily. In 2-4 weeks he should be big enough to climb into a normal litter box. (I gave the kittens a ‘stair’ by positioning a card board scratcher bed in front of the litter box so they could get in/out easily.)
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #10

kunoichi9280

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 20, 2019
Messages
57
Purraise
60
Location
Oregon
I got an open topped litter box with a shield (an extra part that gives it high sides on three sides and an entrance in the front.) I love it because it contains the litter, is easy to clean and the cats don’t feel trapped. It was cheap/affordable and worked great with the kittens. The bad news? A really dedicated litter kicker adult cat might get it over the top and my twerp cat climbs over the walls from one box to the other. All the cats (5 out of 5 so far) seem to prefer the option of being able to escape from the top. For my fosters at that age I got them these small disposable litter trays that were perfect baby kitten size. Also at that age he needs a box in every room he is in.

* At that age litter box accidents are common. Buy an enzyme cleaner (a black light might be handy) and maybe keep him in the bathroom for a week or two? Maybe use cat attract litter on top if he is still having problems in a month or two? Cats learn best by seeing other cats but I have shown orphaned baby kittens how to dig in (NEW) litter using 2 fingers on each hand. Because he is still a wee baby he is not potty trained yet.
* That poor baby should be with his family for at least a month more! Is there any way you can adopt a second kitten, maybe from the same litter? If not I would give him a ticking clock wrapped up in a towel for comfort.
* please use non clumping litter because kittens do silly/dumb things like eat litter. Clumping litter can harm/kill them.
:goodluck:
I saw those shield boxes. I think they're exactly what I need. I'm going to pick one up tomorrow. I'm not using clumping litter- I've got some organic dust free something else free stuff. :) I was worried that not using clumping litter was causing the problem- thinking maybe that's what was used in his home. Now that I know it's harmful I won't try it out.
There's no way I can adopt a second kitten right now. I'm disabled, so I don't work (I go to school, but online) so I'm home w/ him the vast majority of each day, and he sleeps curled up in the crook of my arm each night, so I think he's hearing my heartbeat. He's very snuggly, even during the day.
 

war&wisdom

TCS Member
Super Cat
Joined
Aug 2, 2018
Messages
1,048
Purraise
1,298
Location
Rockville, MD
I saw those shield boxes. I think they're exactly what I need. I'm going to pick one up tomorrow. I'm not using clumping litter- I've got some organic dust free something else free stuff. :) I was worried that not using clumping litter was causing the problem- thinking maybe that's what was used in his home. Now that I know it's harmful I won't try it out.
There's no way I can adopt a second kitten right now. I'm disabled, so I don't work (I go to school, but online) so I'm home w/ him the vast majority of each day, and he sleeps curled up in the crook of my arm each night, so I think he's hearing my heartbeat. He's very snuggly, even during the day.
My kittens were litterbox trained and used clumping litter by 7 weeks; it's usually when they first start using litter (4-6 weeks) that they might eat it. But if you want to avoid clumping litter for a while longer, that's fine and a bit safer.

Every kitten is different, and it may be that the environment that your kitten was in before he came to you wasn't conducive to litterbox training -- but he'll learn. Kitten Attract litter might work for you, but it's clumping.
 

danteshuman

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
5,030
Purraise
6,077
Location
California
I play it safe until they are 10 weeks old and skip the clumping...., but I’m a helicopter mom ;)

I’m on SSI and can only have one cat in my HUD apartment so I get it. Congratulations on your new kitten!
 

zed xyzed

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 10, 2015
Messages
3,786
Purraise
3,740
Location
Toronto Canada
Try putting him in the litter box and then use your hands and gently have his paws scratch the litter. The boy I got last year for my sister who is a rescuer took longer than any group of kittens she had before. But once they got a hang of it they are great little litter box users. As the suggestions above clean the area where he went pee with an enzyme cleaner. Get a black light to make sure you didn't miss any spots. Hang in there he will pick up good habits in no time
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #15

kunoichi9280

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 20, 2019
Messages
57
Purraise
60
Location
Oregon
So I woke up this AM to one urine accident and had one other small one. I cleaned it up (it was small). Today I have been watching Itachi like a hawk. I take him to the box whenever he eats or drinks, or if he starts to look like he's circling or sniffing. I take my fingers and dig in the box and gently take his paw and make digging motions. He doesn't tense up or seem scared but as soon as I let him go he jumps right out. I haven't found or smelled any evidence of other accidents today....I'm wondering if I shouldn't put him in my bathroom? Someone suggested that. I don't really want to do that, but I can't have him not using the box. But I would hate to undo the progress we've done in bonding and getting to know each other, and it seems cruel. Thoughts?
 

danteshuman

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 27, 2017
Messages
5,030
Purraise
6,077
Location
California
The bathroom is perfectly fine for now (at least when you are at work.) With kittens in the past I put their poop accidents in the box so they could smell/see where they are supposed to go.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

kunoichi9280

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 20, 2019
Messages
57
Purraise
60
Location
Oregon
I've caught him twice now in the act of peeing on my bed. I don't say anything but I pick him up, and carry him over to the litter box and then praise him while he's finishing up in the box. He's pooped in the box on his own, and I gave him a lot of praise for that. I'm taking him over to the box when he wakes up, when he eats or drinks, or when he's played an especially long time. I'm with him all the time I'm home, which is 99% of the day. Food and water aren't near the box. He doesn't have any other cloth options to go on other then my bed, which he sleeps in- I thought they didn't like to pee where they sleep. Am I missing anything? I'm kind of tired of having to be shut up in my room but don't want accidents all over the house (although the house is tiled other then my room ,so it might be better?)
 

KittyCatCove

Daddy of 4
Adult Cat
Joined
May 8, 2019
Messages
233
Purraise
518
Location
PA
Nature’s Miracle Disposable Litter Boxes are great (I got the small size for little kittens.... but if need be you could cut an entrance to the side of a regular tray.) You can also use shoe boxes or the card board trays that you buy a flat of wet food in. You can always transition him to a bigger box later. He needs to be able to get into the litter box easily. In 2-4 weeks he should be big enough to climb into a normal litter box. (I gave the kittens a ‘stair’ by positioning a card board scratcher bed in front of the litter box so they could get in/out easily.)
I always buy cases of cat food. The cardboard/case used to hold cat food is shallow and it makes a great kitty litter box.
 

Furballsmom

Cat Devotee
Staff Member
Forum Helper
Joined
Jan 9, 2018
Messages
39,270
Purraise
53,927
Location
Colorado US
I don't say anything but I pick him up, and carry him over to the litter box and then praise him while he's finishing up in the box. He's pooped in the box on his own, and I gave him a lot of praise for that. I'm taking him over to the box when he wakes up, when he eats or drinks, or when he's played an especially long time.
I think keep doing this :thumbsup:
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #20

kunoichi9280

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
May 20, 2019
Messages
57
Purraise
60
Location
Oregon
Well, I haven't posted an update because I hate to jinx a good thing ( :crossfingers::crossfingers::crossfingers:) but he's doing really well. After the second time I caught him peeing on my bed he began using the litter box for both pooping and peeing. I've kept him confined to my room and I haven't seen any accidents, but he's been consistently going in the box. Another day or so like this and I'll let him out of my room.
 
Top