Our 7-8wk old kitten is not adjusting well to the litter box.
Day 1 - got her home, let her adjust, and set her in the litter box. She immediately jumped out. Later that day, when she needed to pee, she felt comfortable going on the towel. However, we can't dirty up all the towels in the house when she needs to potty. I kept putting her in the litter box after meals, or if she was squatting to pee, but every time, she would immediately jump out.
Day 3 - still jumps out of the litter box. We've discovered that she is also comfortable going potty in a plastic trash bag, which is MUCH more convenient for cleaning purposes, but definitely not ideal. We've put plastic bags in the litter box, and she will jump in the box and potty in the bag, but won't step a paw into the litter. So we now know there isn't an issue with the box, but probably the litter.
Day 4 - The plastic bag is still in the litter box, but we've now put a small amount of litter in the bag. She will completely avoid the litter even in the bag. She'll potty around it.
Day 5 - we've changed the type of litter. Still no success. She'll potty in the bag, but won't step in the litter at all, even though it's a softer brand.
This is getting difficult because we're steadily running out of plastic bags, and quite frankly, it's not safe at all. I'm very aware that she can suffocate if she tangles herself in the bag, so every time she needs to potty, someone MUST be watching her. We ensure she doesn't get tangled up, but I am unable to be home 24/7 to make sure the potty process goes well and is safe. I'm worried and concerned.
One time, she went to potty in the bag, but she actually positioned herself over the litter and pooped in the litter. She wouldn't even touch the litter to cover it up. Instead, she covered it up with the bag. Given that the litter was clean, I used my hand to imitate a cat covering her poop with the litter, and she watched me, but wouldn't do it herself. How do I convince her that litter is where she needs to potty?
This also isn't the only issue. She seems to be in pain when she poops. She cries so loud and it takes her a while to poop. On her first vet visit, they gave her some dewormer (the people I got her from did NOT take care of her well). I assumed she was crying because she's passing worms, but recently, it's like she's trying to avoid pooping at all. I'm planning on taking her back to the vet, because she didn't poop yesterday, and hasn't yet today, even though she's been showing signs that she needs to. We've tried rubbing her booty with a warm wash cloth, but that doesn't seem to help at all.
Please, I need some advice as to what we should do about the litter situation. We can't keep doing the plastic bag method - it's very unsafe and she can't be left alone to potty, and we can't always be home to watch her. And what should I do to help her go poopy? It makes me so sad, because I know she needs to poop, and she cries and whines like it's painful or something. I don't know what to do, I just want my little baby to be comfortable going potty ):
Day 1 - got her home, let her adjust, and set her in the litter box. She immediately jumped out. Later that day, when she needed to pee, she felt comfortable going on the towel. However, we can't dirty up all the towels in the house when she needs to potty. I kept putting her in the litter box after meals, or if she was squatting to pee, but every time, she would immediately jump out.
Day 3 - still jumps out of the litter box. We've discovered that she is also comfortable going potty in a plastic trash bag, which is MUCH more convenient for cleaning purposes, but definitely not ideal. We've put plastic bags in the litter box, and she will jump in the box and potty in the bag, but won't step a paw into the litter. So we now know there isn't an issue with the box, but probably the litter.
Day 4 - The plastic bag is still in the litter box, but we've now put a small amount of litter in the bag. She will completely avoid the litter even in the bag. She'll potty around it.
Day 5 - we've changed the type of litter. Still no success. She'll potty in the bag, but won't step in the litter at all, even though it's a softer brand.
This is getting difficult because we're steadily running out of plastic bags, and quite frankly, it's not safe at all. I'm very aware that she can suffocate if she tangles herself in the bag, so every time she needs to potty, someone MUST be watching her. We ensure she doesn't get tangled up, but I am unable to be home 24/7 to make sure the potty process goes well and is safe. I'm worried and concerned.
One time, she went to potty in the bag, but she actually positioned herself over the litter and pooped in the litter. She wouldn't even touch the litter to cover it up. Instead, she covered it up with the bag. Given that the litter was clean, I used my hand to imitate a cat covering her poop with the litter, and she watched me, but wouldn't do it herself. How do I convince her that litter is where she needs to potty?
This also isn't the only issue. She seems to be in pain when she poops. She cries so loud and it takes her a while to poop. On her first vet visit, they gave her some dewormer (the people I got her from did NOT take care of her well). I assumed she was crying because she's passing worms, but recently, it's like she's trying to avoid pooping at all. I'm planning on taking her back to the vet, because she didn't poop yesterday, and hasn't yet today, even though she's been showing signs that she needs to. We've tried rubbing her booty with a warm wash cloth, but that doesn't seem to help at all.
Please, I need some advice as to what we should do about the litter situation. We can't keep doing the plastic bag method - it's very unsafe and she can't be left alone to potty, and we can't always be home to watch her. And what should I do to help her go poopy? It makes me so sad, because I know she needs to poop, and she cries and whines like it's painful or something. I don't know what to do, I just want my little baby to be comfortable going potty ):
. She doesn't mind getting into the box, but she doesn't want to step in the litter. But we're gonna change it, and see if that helps (: and I do have another cat that uses our room as his primary space, but he hasn't used her litter box. He uses one in a different area of the house. But maybe I can get her to watch him, and use him as her teacher (: It is sad that she was separated from her mother too early. In fact, the people I got her from told me she was 8-9wks and that she was just small. Once I got her to the vet, they basically confirmed that she was about 6-7wks. And that was a week ago lol. I wish it could've been better for her. Thanks again for your advice! (: I appreciate the input.
!
. 
