kitten/cat lovers help! UPDATE!

So DH and I got a kitten 2 days ago. He is the cutest thing and really a sweet kitten. He is probably just about 3 months old. My cousin found him by her house he was abandoned by his mother.

So anyway, here is my struggle he is NOT using the litterbox. I know most cats learn how to use one almost insinctfull ybut he isn't. He isn't even going NEAR the litterbox. I get that he is in a new place and it's an adjustment but I am scared he won't ever learn.

any tips?
UPDATE!
So I called the Vet this morning and they said since he was abandoned and outside for so long he could have worms and for me to bring him in for a check up. The receptionist said it doesn't sound like anything major and not to worry.

He also suggested trying to keep him in the room with the litterbox. This isn't going to be easy as this room has 2 entrances. However I will try anything. I also asked about using shredded newspaper instead of litter and they said at 3 months the litter is fine.

I am also happy to say he did go #1 in the litter box twice it is just #2 that's the issue.

Oh and I will take and post some pics of him later.

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

what is he using instead? is it possible that he doesnt like the litter?

when we first got my cat, my dad put shredded newspapers in the litter box.....now that i think of it, im not really sure why that was

....buttttt, he did learn to use the box w the paper. once he was used to it, we switched to the litter and it was fine since then

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

Is it all in the same spot? Maybe you could move the litterbox to that spot so he kinda gets the hint? And then once he starts using it regularly you could move it to where you want it.

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

Is the litter anywhere near his food bowls? Cats are meticulous and won't like to crap where they eat, lol.

Also, shredded newspapers in the litter box might help to train him. We had a cat when I was younger that HATED litter. I guess it was how it felt on his paws? We used the sandier type (as opposed to the gravel type, for lack of a better term) because that was the only type he would use.

They're finicky creatures!

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

awww... congratulations on your new addition!!

cat's can be finicky with the litter from time to time.

do not put any sort of arm and hammer or anything else in the litter. I had a friend who was mixing in arm and hammer and at times that powder deodorant into her litter and that was the reason her cat wouldn't use it.

What brand litter are you buying? give it some time, but if things don't change, start thinking about changing the brand of litter.

Where is your litter box? Keep it away from the food. Sometimes the sheer location of the litter box makes all the difference. Even if it's not near the food... he may prefer it to be out of the way... or just closer to where he normally is for easier access. Like I said, cat's can be very finicky.

Also, you have to pay attention to him ... when he looks like he is about to go to the bathroom... run to him, pick him up and put him in the litter box... this is usually how they learn they are supposed to go in the box. A 3 month old rescue cat who was on the street and abandoned by the mother will not instinctively look at the litter box and just know to go there. You have to physically put him in the litter box from time to time.
It might take a few tries and runs with him to the box, but he will eventually get it.

how long has it been?

Sometimes, cats will refuse to go in the litter box if they have some sort of health problem, like a uti, etc. So a trip to the vet doesn't hurt either.

Good Luck.

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

Have you tried physicaly bringing the cat to the litter and placing him in a few minutes after he eats? We did this with our kittens and eventually the cat got the hang of it.

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

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Posted by bride2be1012

Have you tried physicaly bringing the cat to the litter and placing him in a few minutes after he eats? We did this with our kittens and eventually the cat got the hang of it.

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This...when he looks like he's about to go just place him in the litter box. He'll get the hang of it.

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

if he's that young he really should have shredded newspaper in the box, not real cat litter. he's too little for it. lil guy probably wants to do what you want him to do, but doesn't like the huge chunky chunks getting all up in his paws!

Ever remember how annoying it was to walk on pebbles when you were really little? And now it's not nearly as bad as you remember?
It's like that. Sort of.

Good luck and i wanna see a pic!!!!!!!

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

It was recommended when I got my cat that I used yesterday's news which is a cat litter made from newspaper. It's annoying but it's easy to ween them onto regular cat litter that way.

Re: kitten/cat lovers help!

congrats on the new kitty!!! Definitely try and use the shredded newspaper, we had the same problem with our kitten but he adjusted well once we started using newspaper. HTH!