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Ginger kitten stepping into a low-sided, open kitten litter box with a shallow layer of clumping litter

How to Litter Train a Kitten

To litter train a kitten, give it a low-sided kitten litter box it can climb into, filled with one to two inches of unscented clumping litter. Put the box somewhere quiet, away from food and water, and scoop it every day.

Clean any accidents with an enzymatic cleaner, and never punish. Most of the work is in the setup, and the reasons behind each step are below.

When do kittens start using a litter box?

Very early. For the first days of life, a kitten can't go on its own. Merck's veterinary manual explains that the mother cat stimulates her kittens to eat and to eliminate.

That changes quickly. Between 2 and 7 weeks of age, Merck notes, kittens can eliminate voluntarily and begin to use a litter box or other container of sand-like material.

Digging comes with it. Merck adds that many cats dig before and after they go, possibly to bury their waste or to leave a visual mark.

So by the time a kitten is old enough to come home, it is past the age when box use begins. Your job is to make your box easy to find, easy to use and pleasant to be in.

How many litter boxes does a kitten need?

The standard advice is one box per cat, plus one extra. Cornell Feline Health Center, the ASPCA and the 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines all give the same rule.

For a single kitten, that means two boxes. In a home with more than one floor, the ASPCA recommends a box on each level.

Spacing matters too. An owner guide in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery advises keeping boxes apart, because a cat treats boxes placed side by side as one large box.

One more fact worth knowing: Merck notes that most cats prefer separate places for urine and for feces.

What size litter box is best for a kitten?

For now, low sides matter most. Cornell and the AAHA/AAFP guidelines both say a kitten needs a box with edges low enough to step in and out easily.

Size matters as your kitten grows. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines say a box should be at least one and a half times the length of the cat, and that most manufactured boxes are not large enough.

Sources measure that length slightly differently. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines measure from nose to tail tip, while the owner guide measures to the base of the tail. Either way, bigger is better.

The ASPCA and the owner guide both suggest plastic storage containers as roomy alternatives. A concrete mixing tray is another option the owner guide mentions.

Covered or open?

Open, for most cats. Cornell explains that most cats prefer an uncovered box, which lets odors escape and gives a view all around.

The ASPCA adds that most cats don't like lids or box liners.

Which litter should I use for a kitten?

Start with what your kitten already knows. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines recommend unscented clumping litter, or the type the kitten was using before it came home.

Ask the breeder or shelter which litter they used, so you can start with the same one.

Most cats have clear preferences. The ASPCA says most prefer clumping, unscented litter, and Cornell says most prefer a finer texture.

The AAHA/AAFP guidelines add that some cats find scented litters strongly off-putting. Cornell describes a cat's sense of smell as keen, which is worth remembering in the litter aisle.

Depth is easy to get wrong. The ASPCA recommends one to two inches of litter, rather than three to four, because most cats like a shallow bed.

Curious which your kitten likes best? The AAHA/AAFP guidelines suggest letting kittens choose by offering a variety of litter types side by side in separate boxes.

Where should the litter box go?

Somewhere quiet and private that your kitten can reach at any hour. Cornell describes the ideal spot as quiet, private, away from where your cat eats, and easy to reach 24 hours a day.

Avoid places where a kitten could feel trapped. The ASPCA suggests a quiet spot that isn't cornered, with more than one way out.

The owner guide adds high-traffic areas and spots by doors to the list to avoid. Keep food and water well away too, since Cornell advises keeping them far from the box to avoid contamination.

A small space for the first days

A smaller space can help at the start. The AAFP's guide to introducing a new cat to a home with other cats describes a quiet transition room with its own litter box, food, water, hiding spots and toys.

That guide also suggests removing plush rugs or mats that might tempt a cat to go in the wrong spot.

Our new kitten checklist covers everything else to have ready before your kitten comes home.

How often should I clean the litter box?

Scoop at least once a day. The ASPCA, Cornell and the AAHA/AAFP guidelines all agree on daily scooping, and the ASPCA puts it plainly: cats won't use a messy, smelly box.

Then wash the whole box on a schedule:

  • The ASPCA suggests emptying and washing weekly, or less often with clumping litter.
  • The owner guide in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery gives every one to four weeks.
  • Hot water does the job. The AAHA/AAFP guidelines say hot water is best and soap or strong chemicals should be avoided. The ASPCA allows unscented soap or baking soda.

Skip ammonia and scented cleaners, including lemon. The ASPCA warns against both for the box itself.

Top up with fresh litter as you scoop. Cornell's guide is simple: change the litter often enough that it looks and smells dry and clean.

What should I do when my kitten has an accident?

Stay calm, and start with the cleaning.

Clean the spot with an enzymatic cleaner made to neutralize pet odors, as the ASPCA recommends. Cornell explains that odors must be neutralized, not just masked, to escape a cat's keen sense of smell.

Avoid cleaners with ammonia or vinegar, Cornell advises. The owner guide suggests cleaning an area up to three times the size of the spot, and using a black light to find marks you can't see.

Never punish. The ASPCA warns against scolding or rubbing a cat's nose in it, and the owner guide notes that punishment can lead to fear and weaken the bond between cat and person.

Cornell adds that the anxiety punishment causes can make the problem worse. Instead, check the basics: is the box clean, easy to reach and in a quiet spot?

A relaxed kitten is easier to live with in every way. Our guide to signs of happiness in cats shows what contentment looks like.

Call your vet promptly if your kitten:

  • starts going outside the box after using it well
  • strains, cries or seems uncomfortable in the box
  • goes much more or much less often than usual
  • has blood in its urine or stool
  • seems unwell in any other way

The owner guide advises contacting your vet as soon as going outside the box begins, because every cat doing it needs a full physical exam and a urine test.

Questions new kitten parents ask

What is the best kitten litter?

Start with the litter your kitten used before. After that, the AAHA/AAFP guidelines recommend unscented clumping litter, and most cats prefer a fine texture.

How long does it take to litter train a kitten?

Merck notes that kittens begin using a box between 2 and 7 weeks of age. There's no published timeline for settling into a new home. If accidents continue, review the box, litter and location, and talk to your vet.

Should a kitten litter box be covered?

Most cats prefer an open box, according to Cornell and the ASPCA. Cornell notes it lets odors escape and gives a view all around.

Where should I put the litter box in a small apartment?

A quiet corner with a clear way out, away from food and water and from the front door. If space allows a second box, put it in a different spot.

Sources

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own cat — they know the animal in front of them.

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