Toilet training your kitten

While owners of puppies may sometimes struggle with toilet training, cat owners can often be pretty smug here! Most kittens learn to use the litter tray by watching their mother, and – being naturally clean and fastidious – generally pick it up very quickly indeed.

If your kitten comes from a good breeder or rescue centre where they’ve been raised by their mum, they’ll probably already be using a litter tray with regularity – and a fairly high degree of success.

Now it’s your job to build on this early education as your kitten gets used to their new home.

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What litter tray should I get for my kitten?

Keep it simple. Make sure you have a large, open-top, shallow litter tray with low edges that’s easy for a kitten to get in and out of.

High-sided trays and covered boxes can be used later. But to start with, you need to make sure things are as easy for your kitten as possible.

What’s the best type of litter for kittens?

Find out what kind of litter your kitten has been using up until now, and start off by using the same kind. This will lessen any confusion about where the toilet is, or not liking the surface.

If you don’t know – or want to change that – you’ll have to make sure that any litter you do use is safe and appropriate for kittens. This includes not using products that are highly perfumed, have harsh chemicals or that clump. Don’t just buy any old cat litter.

Like most babies, kittens explore by putting things in their mouths. Clumping litter can be dangerous if eaten, and shouldn’t be used until your kitten is older.

Do not use soil from the garden. This can harbour disease from other cats, plus it’s messy.

The litter needs to be deep enough that the kitten can dig, and also be able to fully cover any poo.

Find the right space for the litter tray

The world can be a big, scary place for a tiny kitten… So to start off they should ideally be kept in one room. This’ll give them a chance to get used to their new home and its people without getting overwhelmed.

It also makes toilet training easier as the litter tray is more obvious.

Kittens tend to be drawn to corners or secluded areas away from their bed, feeding area and living space to go to the toilet. Start by putting the tray in a clutter-free, easily accessible, visible corner.

A puppy pad or similar placed under the tray will make clean-up easier. Some kittens can be messy learners – and either miss the edge of the tray or send litter flying everywhere.

Make sure the tray is in a quiet spot where the kitten won’t be disturbed by people or other animals. Cats prefer to go to the toilet in peace with no audience, and interruptions can discourage a kitten from using the tray.

The tray shouldn’t be next to food or water bowls, as cats are understandably reluctant to use a tray close to their food.

While litter training, be aware that kittens will probably want to go to the toilet after meals, waking from a sleep, after or during play – or when you see them sniffing the floor, scratching or beginning to crouch. This is the time to encourage them to use the litter tray. Take them there and then retreat to a safe distance – some cats really don’t like to be watched.

Use praise

Praise your kitten when they use the tray correctly. Never punish mistakes. If your kitten uses an area outside of the tray, immediately clean the area with an enzyme-based cleaner so as to avoid the scent soaking in and the kitten making future toilet associations from the smell.

You can get good cleaning products especially designed for cleaning up cat (and dog) toileting mistakes from your vet or a pet store. Unlike more usual ammonia-based products – which to a cat’s sensitive nose will still smell like a toilet – these will totally remove any scent of urine or faeces.

Keep it clean

No one likes a dirty toilet, and cats are particularly fussy about this. Remove all soiled litter immediately (or as soon as possible), and clean out the tray regularly.

What if you’re having no luck?

If you’re having difficulties with toilet training, first check that the location of your kitten’s litter tray is appropriate, quiet and private.

Make sure the tray itself is easy to get into and out of without having to jump.

You can try several trays with different types of kitten-friendly litter in it. This way you can discover which your kitten prefers to use. Most cats have a preference, and some cats will refuse to use certain kinds of litter. Learn your kitten’s preference, as that will make them happier to use the litter tray, making toilet training easier.

If you’re really having issues – especially if things have been going well previously – consider talking to your vet. Have a quick check-up just to be sure there’s no clinical reason for this.

Expanding their area

Once your kitten starts exploring further afield in the house, have a tray (or two) in every room so the kitten is rarely any more than 12 ft from a tray. Do this until they really get the hang of using them.

Once they’re looking for the tray, or showing a preference to certain ones, you can reduce the number of trays in the house. Do this until you have just one or two in the places your kitten prefers to use, and that they always have access to.

Going to the toilet outside

Once your kitten is fully vaccinated, eventually they’ll be able to go outside. And you want them to go to the toilet outside – whether in a catio or a garden.

When the time comes, you can gradually move the litter tray towards the door. A few handfuls of cat litter from the tray spread into the soil outside will encourage your cat to dig there… But don’t remove the litter tray from the house until your kitten has constant access to the outside and has started to use the garden by preference.

Having problems?

Your kitten may be reluctant to use the tray if:

It’s too small. It should be big enough that your kitten can easily turn around in it and use several times without getting dirty. It also needs to be deep enough to dig in.
The sides are too high.
It smells of strong chemicals or perfume.
It’s dirty!
Your kitten doesn’t like the litter you’re using.
The tray is in the wrong place – either near their food bowl, bed or in an area the kitten doesn’t feel relaxed.

Caring for your kitten

Have you got a new kitten? We have numerous useful guides for young cats and kittens:

Check out our full guide to how to care for your kitten.
Here’s how to socialise your kitten, making sure they get on well with your family and other pets.
Find out when cats can go outside.
Here’s what to do if your kitten is biting.

Last reviewed by Owe Carter, September 2024.

About the Author

Carolyn is an accredited behaviourist and trainer with over 20 years experience working with dogs and other companion animals. She has written books, over 800 published articles and trains owners and professionals alike, both nationally and internationally. She is currently the Chair of the UK Dog Behaviour and Training Charter. Carolyn is also an experienced broadcaster and presenter, has appeared in five TV series’ and countless radio shows. Her passion is for helping owners build a strong and positive relationship with the companion animals who share their lives, and fully develop the potential of the bond between them.