Litter Box Tips For Bringing Home a New Kitten or Cat
Although your kitten from me will already be litter box trained before they go to their new home, cats/kittens are sensitive creatures and the kittens are YOUNG, so this change can disrupt their good potty habits. Keep in mind that they are BABIES and it's a brand-new home, environment, and they now have a new space to explore. ALWAYS, when you take a cat or kitten to a new home, the very FIRST thing you do is show them where the litter box is and set them in the litter box, show them gently how to dig in the litter. You do this several times a day for the first week or two.
*Put the litter box in a corner or other secluded spot in the home with 3 to 4 inches of a good clumping litter--cats do not prefer hooded litter boxes either. Do NOT move the litter box around the house either, this is confusing to new cats/kittens. Once they are older, you can relocate the box if you desire it to be elsewhere in your home. If you have a big house or multiple cats, you NEED multiple litter boxes. For the first few days in a new home, such as after your kitten has awakened from a nap, or shortly after she's finished eating, place her in the box. If she doesn't dig or scratch, gently take one of her front paws and simulate digging with it. Just place her/him in it at hourly intervals until she gets the idea the first few days to the new home.
The BEST CAT LITTER for new kittens or a new adult cat, is called Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Kitten Attract Kitten Training Litter, Kitten Attract Litter (buy on AMAZON). and there is an adult option too. Cats instinctively bury their waste, so it's easy to show them where to go potty and they will naturally go to the litter box when they need to potty. Make sure they always have access to the litter box. Do NOT sleep with your new kitten, they need confined the first month home at night to a bathroom or small room to create good litter box habits. FYI: They will use your bed at a young age for a litter box, they are babies. I suggest that you confine the kitten when you leave too AND YOUNG KITTENS WILL CHEW ELECTRICAL CORDS and they will eat and get into things that are not safe for them. You must provide a "safe place" for them to be at night and when you leave until they are 12 to 16 weeks old! In this space, provide food, water, toys, and a litter box in the area you choose. Make sure no one shuts them in a room accidentally or closes the door to the room that their litter box is kept. If you have CHILDREN, be sure the kitten is not being shut in a room by accident or held too long which prevents them from getting to the litter box. Cats and kittens should have NO disturbances when using the litter box. Make sure that you scoop the box at LEAST once daily (if you only have one cat, change the litter every few weeks). If you have multiple cats then you will need to scoop the box a few times daily and provide a box for each cat, plus one extra box. So, the experts recommend that a two-cat home have three litter boxes. You can add fresh litter between full litter box cleanings too.
MORE LITTER BOX TIPS:
FYI, being relocated to a new home can stress cats and kittens (whether they show it or not), and this initiates behavioral problems, drops their immune system, and can cause a urinary tract infection. It is IMPORTANT to keep the first two weeks at home as calm and routine as possible.
Before you begin re-teaching good litter box habits, get rid of anything they have pottied on! Wash it, dry it, fold it, put it away... out of sight. Cats WILL return to the same place to 'do their business'. Be sure to clean whatever is affected -- floor, carpet, bedding, etc. because it WILL hold his scent. There are deodorizing products you can use too. BEST CAT URINE REMOVER: Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator - Enzyme-Powered Pet Odor & Stain Remover for Dog and Cats Urine - Carpet Cleaner Spray - Enzymatic Cat Pee Destroyer - for Small Animals (BUY ON AMAZON).
The litter tray should be easily attainable in a room with low traffic, activity, and noise. Cats DO prefer their privacy! It should also be clean -- I suggest you don't wash it at this point, just change the litter. If he/she previously used the tray, it will have his scent in it and encourage him to use it.
At least every one to two hours (depending on his age) you will need to physically place him/her in the litter tray. Gently take his/her front paws and show him/her how to dig in the litter for a few seconds. Talk quietly to him, encourage him, and praise him! Then allow him time to 'sniff around' and investigate. He might make a 'deposit', or he might not. Either way, give him praise and let him/her know he is being a good boy/girl!
THESE TIPS SHOULD HELP THE TRANSITION FROM MY HOME TO YOURS GO MORE SMOOTHLY.
I hope these tips help.
*Put the litter box in a corner or other secluded spot in the home with 3 to 4 inches of a good clumping litter--cats do not prefer hooded litter boxes either. Do NOT move the litter box around the house either, this is confusing to new cats/kittens. Once they are older, you can relocate the box if you desire it to be elsewhere in your home. If you have a big house or multiple cats, you NEED multiple litter boxes. For the first few days in a new home, such as after your kitten has awakened from a nap, or shortly after she's finished eating, place her in the box. If she doesn't dig or scratch, gently take one of her front paws and simulate digging with it. Just place her/him in it at hourly intervals until she gets the idea the first few days to the new home.
The BEST CAT LITTER for new kittens or a new adult cat, is called Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Kitten Attract Kitten Training Litter, Kitten Attract Litter (buy on AMAZON). and there is an adult option too. Cats instinctively bury their waste, so it's easy to show them where to go potty and they will naturally go to the litter box when they need to potty. Make sure they always have access to the litter box. Do NOT sleep with your new kitten, they need confined the first month home at night to a bathroom or small room to create good litter box habits. FYI: They will use your bed at a young age for a litter box, they are babies. I suggest that you confine the kitten when you leave too AND YOUNG KITTENS WILL CHEW ELECTRICAL CORDS and they will eat and get into things that are not safe for them. You must provide a "safe place" for them to be at night and when you leave until they are 12 to 16 weeks old! In this space, provide food, water, toys, and a litter box in the area you choose. Make sure no one shuts them in a room accidentally or closes the door to the room that their litter box is kept. If you have CHILDREN, be sure the kitten is not being shut in a room by accident or held too long which prevents them from getting to the litter box. Cats and kittens should have NO disturbances when using the litter box. Make sure that you scoop the box at LEAST once daily (if you only have one cat, change the litter every few weeks). If you have multiple cats then you will need to scoop the box a few times daily and provide a box for each cat, plus one extra box. So, the experts recommend that a two-cat home have three litter boxes. You can add fresh litter between full litter box cleanings too.
MORE LITTER BOX TIPS:
FYI, being relocated to a new home can stress cats and kittens (whether they show it or not), and this initiates behavioral problems, drops their immune system, and can cause a urinary tract infection. It is IMPORTANT to keep the first two weeks at home as calm and routine as possible.
Before you begin re-teaching good litter box habits, get rid of anything they have pottied on! Wash it, dry it, fold it, put it away... out of sight. Cats WILL return to the same place to 'do their business'. Be sure to clean whatever is affected -- floor, carpet, bedding, etc. because it WILL hold his scent. There are deodorizing products you can use too. BEST CAT URINE REMOVER: Rocco & Roxie Professional Strength Stain & Odor Eliminator - Enzyme-Powered Pet Odor & Stain Remover for Dog and Cats Urine - Carpet Cleaner Spray - Enzymatic Cat Pee Destroyer - for Small Animals (BUY ON AMAZON).
The litter tray should be easily attainable in a room with low traffic, activity, and noise. Cats DO prefer their privacy! It should also be clean -- I suggest you don't wash it at this point, just change the litter. If he/she previously used the tray, it will have his scent in it and encourage him to use it.
At least every one to two hours (depending on his age) you will need to physically place him/her in the litter tray. Gently take his/her front paws and show him/her how to dig in the litter for a few seconds. Talk quietly to him, encourage him, and praise him! Then allow him time to 'sniff around' and investigate. He might make a 'deposit', or he might not. Either way, give him praise and let him/her know he is being a good boy/girl!
THESE TIPS SHOULD HELP THE TRANSITION FROM MY HOME TO YOURS GO MORE SMOOTHLY.
I hope these tips help.
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Sources: http://www.animalplanet.com/pets/9-provide-all-the-comforts/, IAABC, Maine Coon Crazy Facebook Group Admin