Many cats and kittens will instinctively use a litter box without needing to be taught, because of their instincts to expel bodily waste in dirt or sand. Therefore, with a new kitten, owners usually need to simply show the kitten where the litter box is located, and how to get in and out.
Fortunately, cats instinctively like to bury their waste, so there's actually very little training involved getting a kitten to use a litter box. Many kittens may already know how to use one when you adopt them, but if they're younger than 8 weeks old, they may still need some assistance.
Young kittens don't pee and poop on their own; mama cats stimulate them to go to the bathroom by licking them. If you're raising an orphan, you'll need to help them by stimulating them at each feeding.
Sniffing the ground, meowing and dashing behind the sofa can be signs that your kitten needs to go to the toilet. Keep an eye out and gently divert your kitten to, or place him in, the litter tray and give him some privacy.
Most kittens poop and pee on their own by 3-4 weeks of age. In fact, kittens can learn to use the litter box at 3-4 weeks old, too! Once the instinct kicks in, it's time to begin litter training. Orphaned kittens younger than 3 weeks old need to be stimulated with a warm wet cloth to cause them to poop.
Orphaned kittens and puppies cannot pee and poop by themselves until they are 3-4 weeks old. Usually, the mother stimulates her litter to pee and poop until that time. When the mother is no longer available, for one reason or another, this task falls to the foster caregiver to perform.
Cats will often pee outside of their litter box (including on their owner's bed) if they are suffering from a bladder infection or severe bladder inflammation.
They're stressed
Unfortunately, sometimes stressed or anxious kittens have a difficult time urinating in an appropriate location. If you are concerned that stress is to blame for your kitten's reluctance to use their litter box, you should consider any other symptoms that they are exhibiting.
Accidents do happen and that's ok
And be warned that they're likely to be frequent at first. So just be prepared to watch your kitten carefully at all times.
Litter box training your kitten isn't a difficult process. Cats instinctually dig in sand or dirt to hide or cover their urine or feces, and litter stimulates this same reflex. Most kittens over 4 weeks of age naturally use the litter box after learning from their mother or at the shelter.
Litter training your kitten shouldn't be a difficult challenge, since it is common for them to learn how to use the litter tray after only a couple of days.
In the first few nights, have your kitten close to you in a warm and cosy spot next to your bed. Kittens like to feel sheltered and secure so putting them above the ground, if possible, can also make them feel safer.
But because they don't have the strength in their abdominal muscles, kittens under three weeks can't pee or poop on their own. As the Beatles once sang, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” And it takes a good friend to help you pee.
Warning Signs of Feline Urinary Tract Infections
Painful urination: If your cat cries out while urinating, this is a tell-tale sign that she may be in pain. Licking the genital or abdominal areas: This is a way for cats to soothe the pain of a urinary tract disease.
In fact, urinating or defecating outside the litter box is one of the most common signs a cat is stressed. If this is the case, try to make things as easy on your furry friend as possible by providing them with safe places to hide. And, if the anxiety continues, you might want to talk to your vet or a cat behaviourist.
Common reasons for cats to stop using their litter boxes include urinary tract disease or other health issues, a litter box that isn't cleaned often enough, or stress caused by a change in the household, such as a new pet or family member.
Your cat might pee on your bed because he's really uncomfortable with his litter box. You need at least one litter box per household cat, plus one additional box. Put them in different locations throughout the house, including at least one spot in a private area away from noise and traffic.
Citronella
We know Citronella as a mosquito repellent, but it is an equally effective cat peeing deterrent. You can plant a few of them in your garden to keep cats away. However, the most effective is mixing Citronella and water in a 1:4 (one part essential oil and four parts water) to create a spray.
Frustration, stress, or anxiety can sometimes cause a cat to change their urinating habits. Any change in their routine, such as a new person in the household or moving house, can lead to changes in urination. They may also “mark” spots in the house with their urine as a means of marking their territory.
It's important to know that kittens vary greatly in how often they go to the bathroom. While a kitten should pee every few hours, they may pass stool anywhere from 1 to 6 times a day, depending on the kitten's age, care, and GI health. Sometimes, a kitten may even go 24 hours without pooping.
Until he gets accustomed to using his litter box, make your bed an uncomfortable place to urinate. You can put something non-absorbent on it when you aren't sleeping, like a shower curtain. Change the meaning of your bed. If your cat's confusing your bed with his bathroom, start to make him see your bed differently.
To pick up the kitten, people should gently pick them up with one hand supporting the front/chest area, and the other under his back feet/bottom. “Bring them close to your body – they're fragile and you don't want to drop them or have them jump out of your arms if they're scared by a noise.”
With that in mind, how long can a cat go without using the bathroom to pee? Well, the answer is between 24 and 48 hours, with the average feline being able to hold it for about 36 hours.