training

Question
QUESTION: i resuced for my  wife a  3 month old kitten it refuses to use the litter box and  goes on the floor in bathroom  for a week  so far if i cant correct it ill have to take it  back any help! vet checked her found  no problem dewormed and shots givien

ANSWER: Rich,

Young kittens are similar to babies in that they use the bathroom after they eat and as soon as they wake up. Potty training this little guy can be done, but it may take a few days, lots of time and quite a bit of patience. You or your wife will need to be spending quite a bit of time with this little kitten. You are going to have to watch when your kitten eats and drinks. After she eats and drinks you will want to place her gently in the litter box and use her front paws to gently create a digging motion. She should get the picture within a fairly short period of time. If you are using the non clumping kitty litter I would strongly suggest that you try the clumping litter as it is softer on little paws. Clumping litter is fairly fine and you might be surprised to find that she uses the box more readily because it feels more like where she would naturally go. You will also want to clean anywhere this kitten has gone to the bathroom with an enzymatic cleaner which has good bacteria that eat the smell of organic things like urine and feces. You can get an enzymatic cleaner at most pet stores. This way the kitten will not repeat the same mistakes based on smell alone. If you should happen to see your kitten smelling the floor or scratching soon after waking or eating gently pick her up and take her to the litter box, place her in and gently use her front paw to dig, she should get the hint relatively quickly. Just to be on the safe side I would also suggest that your kitten stays in the bathroom where it is easy to clean until she is reliably using the litter pan. You mentionned that your vet did an exam on this little one, did he/she perform a urine test as well? If the kitten has a bladder infection it could account for her litter box issues. Also with a kitten you will want to have a litter box handy no matter where she is in the house once you have her trained. Kittens, like little children often don't realise that they have to go to the bathroom until it is an urgent matter, so some kittens will have accidents just because it is a question of them being too far from the litter box. I am sure that you are aware of this, but I really should mention it to be on the safe side: NEVER rub your kitten's nose in her mistakes, she will not understand why and it is both disgusting and inhumane. Do keep in touch, if you need further guidance I am more than willing to provide it....We will get this kitten trained!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION:   SORRY I CANT  FIND THE EXPERT I  WAS  TALKING TO SEVERAL  TIMES   ANY HELP?
Well we've given up, she still refuses to use the box. W bought a new plastic box, contacted  the pound and bought  the same  scented  litter they use, no luck, at rescue center they suggested trying to cut up paper and place that in  box , no luck, I am going to  buy a product they suggested called  CAT ATTRACT  . they also mentioned call the vet and  ask   prozac for behavior issues .If  this  doesn't  work   we will have to return the kitten Thank you  so much  for all of your help
Rich and Deb  

Answer
Rich & Deb,

Certainly try the Cat Attract product, it may very well work. It may be worth your while to have the vet check to see if there is anything wrong with her bladder or bowels. If she has a bladder infection she may be trying to tell you that she is in pain. There are certainly drugs that will help with a behavior modification program, but you will also need a healthy dose of patience as well. You should try an enzymatic cleaner to clean any of the spots where she has made her mistakes previously. I can recommend the one made by Nature's Miracle as I have used it and found it to be of decent quality, it also has a relatively pleasant smell. Did the staff at the rescue center mention anything about litter box issues when you adopted the kitten? If not they either were desperate to rehome this kitten or they weren't aware that there was a problem. Can I ask where the litter box is located? Location may make all the difference in the world. If the litter is too close to her food or is in a high traffic or noisy area, she may be put off. Cats do not like to eliminate where they eat, and like us they do appreciate some peace, quiet and privacy to do their business. Hopefully with the help of your vet and the rescue you can find out what is causing her litter box aversion and correct the situation. If you don't have the time, patience or money to follow through with all of the options there is no shame in returning the kitten in exchange for one that uses the box reliably. If you do decide to exchange this kitten be very clear about why she is coming back, tell them what you have tried to correct the behavior and be specific about the fact that if you get another kitten from them that doesn't use the box you will be looking for a refund of the adoption fee and going elsewhere to adopt a kitten. I must say it is kind of odd that a young kitten would be so stubborn about avoiding the litter. It may be worth trying a behavior modification program with the help of an anti anxiety drug prescribed by your veterinarian. I really do hope that this kitten will turn his/her behavior around so that you can enjoy her company for years to come, but as I said I sense that you are frustrated and angry that this kitten will not use the box and this will take time and patience to fix. It may be better to exchange this kitten and start fresh with a kitten that you know uses the litter. I wish that I had more helpful advice to offer, but unless your vet has checked her urine for infection, tested stool and blood for other health issues I don't know what else I can offer besides using an enzymatic cleaner or a weak bleach solution (5 parts hot water 1 part bleach). Some kittens have issues from before they were adopted that make them more anxious and fearful than most. Some of the time these issues require patience on the part of the owner, commitment to the animal in question, and a good treating veterinarian. Hopefully this is helpful information. As I said, since you have contacted the rescue agency that you obtained the kitten from maybe it will be possible to exchange this kitten for one that they are sure uses the litter reliably. For some kittens it can be an issue of control, I have fostered kittens that have needed a litter box in each room of the house, and as they get older you can take a box away every week or so until you are only left with one or two. It may just be a question of this kitten's bladder growing and maturing at a slower rate than the rest of his/her body. If I can help in any way, please do not hesitate to write again. I will do my best to make sure that you get the answers that you need.