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When you get a new kitten, you want to acclimate them to their new home as quickly as possible. A big part of that process is litter training.
The good news is that litter training a kitten is usually pretty straightforward, with kitties naturally learning how to do it on their own. “Cats are clean creatures by nature and often cover their feces and urine to avoid detection by predators,” says Dr. Wendy Hauser, veterinarian advisor, founder, and president of Peak Veterinary Consulting.
To learn more about how to litter train a kitten, we asked the experts. Below, you’ll find step-by-step guidance and best practices, along with troubleshooting tips for those moments when things don’t go quite as planned.
How To Litter Train a Kitten
Litter training doesn’t usually take long—just a few weeks for most kitties. Typically, they’ll have it down pat by the time they’re 8 or 12 weeks old, which is the typical age kittens are ready to be brought home. Here’s what to do.
Step 1: Set up the litter box area
Dr. Whitney Miller, Petco’s chief veterinarian, recommends starting litter box training as soon as you bring your cat home. “It’s best to have the litter box prepared before their arrival so they can recognize its location as they explore the new home.”
To set up the litter box area:
- Choose a litter box that’s appropriately sized—typically a shallow box that’s 1.5x the size of a kitten’s body length.
- Fill it with kitten-safe cat litter (clay-free and non-clumping).
- Keep a litter scoop and cat-safe cleaning supplies nearby.
- Consider litter box liners and a Litter Genie or trash can to store your kitten’s waste.
- Put the litter box in a quiet, easily accessible area.
A note on self-cleaning litter boxes. Self-cleaning litter boxes are convenient, but they do require a bit more time and training. You’ll need to give your kitten one or two weeks to get comfortable with the automatic litter box before turning it on.
Step 2: Introduce your kitten to the litter box
Dr. Sara Ochoa, a veterinarian at Animal Hospital in West Monroe, Louisiana, says there are four simple steps for litter box introductions:
- Show your cat where the litter box is and let them sniff the litter. “Most kittens only need to be shown where the litter box is located to encourage use,” says Dr. Hauser.
- Place your kitten in the litter box on a regular basis—ideally every two to three hours, and always after mealtime.
- If your kitten doesn’t go potty, use a scooper or your kitten’s paw to gently scratch the litter several times.
- When your kitten uses the litter box, reward them with lots of praise or a tasty treat.
Step 3: Build a positive association
Using rewards like treats and toys during training helps create positive associations with the litter box. At first, you’ll want to reward your cat every time they use the box. Once they’ve begun using the box more regularly, you can phase out the treats.
When choosing treats for your kitten, opt for small, low-calorie ones that are flavorful and high in value, like freeze-dried tuna or chicken. Keep the treats close to the litter box since you’ll want to reward your kitten as soon as they use it.
Step 4: Stay consistent
If your kitten isn’t ready to pee or poop when you place them in the litter box, don’t worry. Just keep bringing them back every 20 minutes until they do. This consistency helps ensure that they’re in the right place when it’s time—preventing accidents elsewhere in your home.
At night, a new kitten can sleep on their own for up to 8 hours. You shouldn’t need to put them in the litter box during that time, but it’s not a bad idea to enclose them in a kitten-proof space to minimize any accidents.
Step 5: Keep the litter box clean
Most cats don’t like using a dirty litter box. To avoid aversions from the start, clean the litter box regularly. Most experts recommend scooping at least once a day, wiping down the box walls weekly, and deep cleaning and completely changing the litter every 2 to 4 weeks.
You’ll also want to quickly clean any messes outside of the litter box to prevent your kitten from returning to those spots the next time they need to pee or poop. Then, place the poop or urine-soaked paper towel in the litter box. “Your cat will associate those smells and then start using the litter box,” explains Dr. Ochoa.
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Adene Sanchez via iStock
Troubleshooting Litter Box Problems
A few accidents as your kitten is learning the ropes are perfectly normal. But if your kitten is completely avoiding the litter box and having multiple accidents outside of it daily, it’s time to troubleshoot. Here’s a look at common litter box issues and how to address them.
Too few litter boxes, too far apart
“The most common issue is that the kitten ends up too far away from a litter box and can’t find the box in time,” says Jessica Char, cat behavior consultant and owner of Feline Engineering. “When kittens are young, it is best to keep them confined to a smaller area, such as a spare bedroom or bathroom, when they aren’t supervised. This ensures they can always locate the litter box.”
If your kitten roams freely around your home, ensure they can get to a litter box wherever they are. Depending on the size of your living space, that may mean having litter boxes in different locations.
Lack of supervision
Kittens are curious creatures and can easily get distracted. Placing your kitten in the litter box after meals, naps, and playtime, and supervising them until they need to go, can help keep your kitty focused and on a routine.
Kitten rejecting the litter box
If your kitten is rejecting the litter box entirely, they may just not like what you’ve set up. You may need to experiment with different types of litter boxes and litter types before finding the perfect combination. Adding litter attractant products can also help encourage cats to use their litter box, says Dr. Miller.
Bullying by another cat
Dr. Miller notes that if you have a multi-cat household, bullying could be the reason why your kitten isn’t using the litter box properly. Keep an eye on how your cat interacts and ensure you have enough litter boxes for everyone to help prevent conflict. It should be one litter box per cat, plus an extra, all in different areas throughout the home.
Medical issues
If you’ve tried all the above tricks and your kitten is consistently having accidents after a month, Dr. Miller recommends visiting your vet. Symptoms of a medical issue include spending long periods of time in the litter box, straining to urinate or poop, digestive issues, and scooting on the ground.
Stress and anxiety can also contribute to a kitten’s litter aversion. Your vet is a good resource for identifying the problem.
Too late to litter train?
Although it’s never too late to litter train a cat, it might take longer or be a more challenging process for older kitties. “Cats can be particular animals, and they may dislike something about the litter box setup as it stands,” says Dr. Miller. Experiment with different types of litter boxes, litter, and locations to find the best combination for your older cat.
