- Joined
- Aug 3, 2015
- Messages
- 220
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Hi, I'm new to the site.
I got two new kittens this past week. They are only about 2 months old so still small. One is a male -- a grey and white named Pepper. And the other is his sister -- a grey tabby named Pickles. Both were barn kittens I adopted from a friend so they have had no litter box experience. I am putting them in there and I scoop twice a day so I know they do use it, but we're still having accidents. Both like to pee on the cement area by our wood-burning stove in the basement. But the worst is PIckles. She peed in our bed yesterday (with us in it) and now today, she pooped in my hand while in bed! Both times she was mewing for her brother. She is the shyest of the two but also gets lonely the easiest. Pepper is much braver and has kind of thrown himself into our family. Since they were barn kittens they have had only minimal socialization. And we have two small children so I know it's all been a shock on their system this past week. I am noticing an improvement on the social end (and am making sure to give the kittens breaks from the kids' enthusiasm!) so am willing to give that time. But the bed messes are horrible. Doesn't help our washing machine broke and we won't be getting a new one until the end of the week at the soonest.
Right now we only have the litter box downstairs. That had been enough for our old cat (who had died several months ago). I have discussed with my husband about getting a second litter box for upstairs but I was wondering if there is anything else I should be doing. I had JUST taken them to the vet (about 2 days ago) and had them dewormed and other than that, they were in perfect health.
We are using generic store-brand clumping litter but was wondering if there is another kind we could be using to encourage use. I had read that sometimes a more sand-like litter could encourage kittens who had never used a litter box before. Any experience with that?
My family had taken in a barn kitten when I was a child but that was 20 years ago and my last cat had been a shelter cat so already was litter trained and socialized. So feeling a little lost. I run in a circle of people who would have no sympathy to this problem. They'd just suggest to toss it outside (or worse) so any advice here would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
PS I do have their spay and neuter surgery booked but the vet won't do it before 6 months.
I got two new kittens this past week. They are only about 2 months old so still small. One is a male -- a grey and white named Pepper. And the other is his sister -- a grey tabby named Pickles. Both were barn kittens I adopted from a friend so they have had no litter box experience. I am putting them in there and I scoop twice a day so I know they do use it, but we're still having accidents. Both like to pee on the cement area by our wood-burning stove in the basement. But the worst is PIckles. She peed in our bed yesterday (with us in it) and now today, she pooped in my hand while in bed! Both times she was mewing for her brother. She is the shyest of the two but also gets lonely the easiest. Pepper is much braver and has kind of thrown himself into our family. Since they were barn kittens they have had only minimal socialization. And we have two small children so I know it's all been a shock on their system this past week. I am noticing an improvement on the social end (and am making sure to give the kittens breaks from the kids' enthusiasm!) so am willing to give that time. But the bed messes are horrible. Doesn't help our washing machine broke and we won't be getting a new one until the end of the week at the soonest.
Right now we only have the litter box downstairs. That had been enough for our old cat (who had died several months ago). I have discussed with my husband about getting a second litter box for upstairs but I was wondering if there is anything else I should be doing. I had JUST taken them to the vet (about 2 days ago) and had them dewormed and other than that, they were in perfect health.
We are using generic store-brand clumping litter but was wondering if there is another kind we could be using to encourage use. I had read that sometimes a more sand-like litter could encourage kittens who had never used a litter box before. Any experience with that?
My family had taken in a barn kitten when I was a child but that was 20 years ago and my last cat had been a shelter cat so already was litter trained and socialized. So feeling a little lost. I run in a circle of people who would have no sympathy to this problem. They'd just suggest to toss it outside (or worse) so any advice here would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
PS I do have their spay and neuter surgery booked but the vet won't do it before 6 months.