New kitty and litter box (kitten, eating, carpet, meows)
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My new kitty is adapting very well. He's fully explored the room he is in and even ventured into the bathroom. He is eating 3 nice meals per day as well. He also plays and meows nonstop. His first trip to the litterbox for #2 did not go well. I was getting ready for work and stepped in something soft and wet. Right in the middle of my carpet.
His litterbox is about 7 feel from where his bed is and he uses it for #1. I put him in the box when we first put him in the room. Last night before bed he was walking around and scratching on the carpet everywhere so I think he was wanting to go. Then I woke up to my little surprise. He started scratching again this morning and I put him in his litter box and he just ran out and scratched some more. He hasn't went yet though.
Anything else I should be doing to get him to use his box for #2? You think this is just because he's still barely getting adjusted? We are using the same type of litter he had at the shelter.
If it's the same type of litter then I would think that he is used to it. I know that Dr. Elsley's Litter Attract is supposed to work well. Never had to used it myself. You should be able to find it at PetSmart/Pet Co but here is the Amazon Link so you know what you are looking for
As far as my small experience with litter training - and I admit it's not much (thank goodness) I would keep doing what you are. Though I would probably get a second litter box so there is always one close by to kitty when he has to go! Reinforce with a treat if you see him in there doing the deed. And if you see him scratching or anything that indicates he needs to go, then pick him up and set him in the box - reward reward.
Cats naturally want to go in the box and not in their environment. My first instinct is something is putting him off of that litter box. I would def. get a second one, and not a duplicate. Get something different - if what you have is high sided, get low, if you have covered, get un-covered. If you have it in the middle of the room try putting it a little out of the way for a bit more privacy. I know you want it in plain sight so he can find it but cats don't like a lot of watchers when they do their business . So I think it's a box problem more than a cat problem and you just need to figure it out - be patient - you are both learning
Hmm I might put the box in the spot where he pooped on the floor, maybe he doesn't like the location of the box. You probably cleaned it up right away, but if he goes outside of the box again I would put a piece of the poop in the box to show him this is where it goes. I know it's gross, but he needs to associate the box with both poop and pee.
Also I agree with Kittymom that you may want to try a different kind of box than you have now. Maybe he doesn't like a covered box for pooping because there's no ventilation or something. You never know what's going on in their little kitten heads!
Cats (and dogs) will also use improper elimination (both 1 & 2) to mark as well as stress/anxiety relief (literally!) I would have been surprised to hear that this didn't happen, it's pretty common with a new cat but, especially, a new kitten. I'm guessing that you will get a few more "surprises" before he completely settles in and starts using the box correctly. I would just take it all in stride, it's part of the process.
His litterbox is about 7 feel from where his bed is and he uses it for #1........
I didn't read all the replies before replying myself. I just repeated what others said and was unable to delete the message. The delete button to remove messages doesn't work.
Last edited by =^..^=; 08-02-2011 at 11:28 AM..
Reason: un needed
my cats pee in one box and poop in a different box.
I think that'd be the route I"d take if I were a cat.
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. So I think it's a box problem more than a cat problem and you just need to figure it out - be patient - you are both learning 
