New kitten climbing into a litterbox while one of the cats is using it

[KittenRescue]

Hi Guys,
I have rescued and fostered many extremely young sick kittens before as i specialise in this but this particular issue has never appeared before and looking for the answers online but i cannot find anything for this particular problem. I have a 3yo Ragdoll Male and a 4yo DSH, both extremely well behaved and have been helping me socialise and raise extremely young kittens into amazing beings that their future parents adore. Ironically, i got us a ginger female kitten that has a difficult behavioural problem. I wanted her to live with us permanently but that suddenly is causing a lot of issues with the litterboxes. She either charges at the boys when they are trying to use the litterbox, attacks them (playfully), sits infront of them, watches them or worst of all, she climbs in and tries to smell their butts/use the litterbox as well, or bury their pee/poo (only one of them does not bury).

She has otherwise perfect litterbox manners but her possesive? stalking? kitten? behaviour around the THREE litterboxes is now causing the boys to no longer use them (they go to another part of the house which has TWO litterboxes), hold it in or sit in the litterbox to wait for me to carry her away before they resume their business. When i take her away quietly, calmly and gently she begins to struggle in my hands and starts to fight me by scratching my arms (which she doesn't do any other time). Now i know, this is normal kitten behaviour for some kittens as my ragdoll done this, but even though he has learning disabilities he learned within a week to stop doing this. But it seems she is just not getting the message from me gently moving her away, the boys hissing at her, them using different litterboxes and so on for almost a month now. Making all the litterboxes hooded is not possible because the boys HATE hooded litterboxes and usually avoid using them (althought they are forcing themselves to use the ones away from her right now).

My partner is terrified that the boys will begin eliminating (understandably) outside the litterbox due to stress and is insisting that i rehome her with a loving family with no other cats. Which i can do, but i really do not want to because the boys are eating so well now, they play together with her for hours and are sleeping like babies from all the extra exercise (am i selfish?). I am wondering this:
Have you guys ever had this problem with new kittens?
Is this a serious issue that cannot be resolved after her doing this for a month?
Is she doing this due to her age or to be territorial?

 

[Furballsmom]

Hi
Well, ... although this isn't exactly what you meant, but it's serious enough that the adult cats have shifted locations, although I think (?) it's mostly due to her age.

Can you create a situation where at least two of the litter boxes are behind a cat door that's activated by the adults microchips?

 

[KittenRescue]

Hi
Well, ... although this isn't exactly what you meant, but it's serious enough that the adult cats have shifted locations, although I think (?) it's mostly due to her age.

Can you create a situation where at least two of the litter boxes are behind a cat door that's activated by the adults microchips?

Unfortunately i cannot make any changes to the property as i am renting in Australia (extremely strict landlords).

 

[Tik cat's mum]

I had this problem with my cat as a kitten. He was a nightmare for it he was trying to cover my older cats pee. The minute he heard him digging he'd run straight to the box. I ended up getting hooded litter boxes and going against the usual advice. I put two boxes right next to each other and everytime he tried to get in the box with my older cat, I put him in the empty box. It took time and patience but now If he does want to go at the same time he will not try to get in with the older cat and goes in the empty box.

 

[KittenRescue]

The three litterboxes that she is currently guarding are right next to each other and i been putting her into the empty litterbox next to the one being used for a month now. It hasnt made any noticeable impact on her behaviour as she has not improved and has begun to try to 'sneak' on the boys when i am not looking.Futhermore, I cannot move them around because my Ragdoll has been diagnosed with a learning disability.The other two litterboxes that are away from the three are all hooded and she is too small to use currently. But I am concerned that a hooded litterbox is a temporary fix as the two boys HATE hooded litterbox and may begin eliminating outside in the future if they are forced to keep using them.

 

[Tik cat's mum]

Have you tried using one of those boxes they have to jump into, I understand what your saying about a temporary fix. Maybe a big storage box even that she can't get into yet. They may prefer that it's open but high sides. It sounds like your doing everything right hopefully she'll grow out of it or someone will come along with some better advice. Hope you get it sorted.

 

[KittenRescue]

Have you tried using one of those boxes they have to jump into, I understand what your saying about a temporary fix. Maybe a big storage box even that she can't get into yet. They may prefer that it's open but high sides. It sounds like your doing everything right hopefully she'll grow out of it or someone will come along with some better advice. Hope you get it sorted.

Haha the funny part is, one of the three litterboxes she’s guarding is one of those super tall open ones. She climbs in there with dedication plus she is the most athletic kitten I have ever had or maybe I just used to looking after newborns or sick ones. Thank you for your help anyway. I really appreciate it, I love the girl and I know this is the right family for her. If I figure this out I will keep you guys posted incase someone else is has this issue in the future as well. Btw, here’s the pictures of my babies.

 

[Furballsmom]

I'm thinking there's a temporary way to set up a removable "door" with a cat flap in it, if your ragdoll would be able to manage it.

 

[Hellenww]

I wish I understood this behavior and could say she'd outgrow it. In my house using the box is a community activity. We have 3. Sqeeker 15yrs, Leo & Luna 14mt. Sqeek had an older brother, Yoshi, and they always went together, occasionally in the same box at the same time. A few days after Leo & Luna came home all 3 had to be present anytime anyone used a box. Luna was so interested in the boys activity I was sure something would land on her nose. Around 10mt old she outgrew sticking her nose everywhere but all 3 still go at the same time with Sqeek occasionally getting in with Luna.

You could stack 2 babygates at a doorway. Use a babygate with a cat door as the bottom one. Attach a microchipped cat door to a piece of plywood so it's lined up with the opening on the gate. Then secure it to the gate. It would be a challenge to get through the door but wouldn't make any permanent changes to the doorway.

 

[KittenRescue]

Hi guys,
An update on the situation:
I have decided to try swapping around some litterboxes. I swapped one of the three litterboxes (the tall unhooded one) with a hooded one (entrance from front, exit from top) from the other two. I showed the changes to my ragdoll and he tried out using the hooded litterbox infront of the his sister (he forgets about her stalking quickly). She tried so hard to break in but because he is such a big cat he leans against the entrance into the litterbox so she couldn't get in. Then she tried to get in through the top but she is currently too small to reach the top and the sides are impossible for her to grab on to. My other male is extremely happy he can use his favourite litter box in peace for now (he hates being bothered while eating or using litter boxes) and has started using it in the other part of the house. She is very small so she doesnt go to that area just yet, so she sticks to the living room/enclosed verandah part as that is where the toys, 2 cat towers, water fountain, food and the three litter boxes are, it seems i found a temporary solution. But i am going to keep working on figuring out a permanent solution that doesn't evolve altering the house or making it impossible to walk into a room as i know it is not realistic solution long term. I am still open to any more suggestions! Thank you for all your help and suggestions, guys! <3

 

[Alldara]

Another suggestion would be, put a litter in a different area of the house. She can guard because they are all together. Guarding behaviour disappears pretty quickly when the litter boxes have different spaces.
It's also better as they age to have them spread out to reduce accidents.