When kittens are about four weeks old, they will begin to play in, dig through and
explore loose, soft materials such as dirt or litter. As a result of this investigative digging,
kittens begin to relieve themselves in these materials. So, kittens do not have to be
taught by either their mothers or humans to relieve themselves in soft, loose materials, or
to dig and bury their waste. Kittens are simply born knowing how to do it.

It’s not necessary to take kittens to the litter box and move their paws back and forth in
the litter. Doing so may be an unpleasant experience for them, causing them to have
some negative associations with the litter box.

However, litter boxes that don’t provide an acceptable place to eliminate (from the cats’
point of view) may cause cats to relieve themselves elsewhere. That’s why it’s important
to provide a litter box that meets the kittens’ needs. You want the kittens to like the box
and use it consistently.


Location.

Most people want to put the litter box in an out-of-the-way place so they can minimize
odors and loose particles of cat litter around the house. Often, the litter box ends up in
the basement, possibly next to an appliance on a cold cement floor.

But that type of location is often undesirable to cats. Young kittens may not be able to
get down a long flight of stairs in time to relieve themselves. And adult cats new to a
home may not remember where the litter box is if it’s hidden away in a distant location.

Another thing to keep in mind is that if your litter box is next to a sometimes-noisy
appliance, such as a furnace, washer or dryer, cats may become startled when the
appliance turns on. This may cause them to associate the litter box with the frightening
noise, and they may then refuse to use the box in that location. Also, some cats like to
scratch the surface surrounding their litter box and they may find a cold cement floor
unappealing.

You can compromise by placing the litter box in a location — such as a closet or spare
bathroom — that gives the cat some privacy but is also conveniently located. If you place
the litter box in a closet, make sure the closet door is wedged open from both sides to
keep the cat from being trapped inside or outside of the closet. If the litter box sits on a
smooth, slick, or cold surface, consider putting a small throw rug or mat underneath the
box. The cats will have something to scratch, and less litter will be tracked through your
house.


Type and Depth of Litter.

Research has shown that most cats prefer fine-grained litters. Clumping litters are usually
finer in grain than typical clay litter. With kittens younger than eight weeks, though, use
only non-clumping litter. The reason for this is that very young kittens tend to taste their
litter and play in it. If you use clumping litter, the dust from the litter can solidify in their
respiratory or digestive tracts.

Different cats prefer different depths of litter, but most cats don’t like litter that’s more
than about two inches deep. Cats don’t choose areas for elimination where they sink into
several inches of litter or dirt. It’s not true that the more litter you put into a litter box,
the less often you will have to clean it. Regular cleaning is essential, regardless of the
depth of the litter.


Number of Boxes.

Try to have at least as many litter boxes as you have cats. That way, no one can be
prevented from using the box because it is already occupied. It also keeps one cat from
“guarding” the litter box and preventing other cats from accessing it.
Litter boxes can be placed in several locations around the house. This practice helps to
train young kittens because there’s always a box nearby that they can get to in time to
eliminate.
​

To Cover or Not to Cover.

Many cats don’t show any preference for a covered versus a non-covered litter box. But
if a cat is very large, a covered litter box may not allow sufficient room for him to turn
around, scratch and dig, and position himself in the way he prefers. It’s better to use
uncovered boxes when training kittens because it is easier for them to get into and out
of the litter box.

A covered box tends to provide more privacy and may be preferred by shy, timid cats.
It’s a good idea to offer both types of litter boxes to discover which one the cat prefers.
If you don’t want to buy a covered box in order to find out which one your cat prefers, a
litter box cover can be made from an upside-down cardboard box with the flaps and one
side cut away.


Cleaning the Box.

Litter boxes should always be kept clean. Feces should be scooped out of the litter box
daily. The number of cats and the number of litter boxes will determine how often the
litter needs to be dumped and completely changed. Twice a week is a general guideline,
but you may need to change it often, depending on the circumstances. If you notice any
odor or if much of the litter is wet or clumped, it is time to change all the litter.
​
When washing the litter box, do not use strong-smelling chemicals or cleaning products
because the smell of vinegar, bleach or pine cleaners may cause the cat to avoid using
the litter box. Washing with soap and water should be sufficient. Letting the container
air-dry is also a good idea, but it will be necessary to have a back-up litter box while the
other one is being cleaned.

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