Skip to main content
Shape Created with Sketch.

Where to Buy

Search form
Change Country
Frontline Logo
Created with Sketch.
  • Flea and Tick Range
  • Worm Control
  • Help & Advice
  • Why Frontline
  • Contact Us
SELECT YOUR LOCATION
Africa & Middle East
Africa & Middle East
Asia & Pacific
Asia & Pacific
Europe
Europe
South America
South America
North America
North America
Israel
South Africa
Türkiye
Australia
China (中国)
India
Japan (日本)
New Zealand
Philippines
Taiwan ( 台灣)
Frontline Thailand Thailand
Austria
Belgique
België
Cyprus
Danmark
Deutschland
España
France
Hrvatska
Italia
Latviski
Magyar
Nederland
Polska
Portugal
Schweiz
Slovenija
Slovensko
Srbija
Suisse
Suomi
Sverige
United Kingdom
Česká republika
България
Россия
Румыния
Argentina
Brasil
Chile
Mexico
USA

More articles

Pet Life

Kitten Litter Training Guide

LITTER TRAINING A KITTEN – THE BATHROOM BASICS 

It’s not the most exciting part of pet parenting, but training our kittens and cats to use their litter box is a high priority for most of us. We want our cats to go in the right place, and the good news is that they often want to do this too – they just need a bit of help from us pet parents. But not all of us know how to litter train a new arrival, so try these top tips to make it as painless as possible. 

10 steps to litter training success

  1.  Go with the flow – Kittens are born with a strong instinct to bury their mess. Their mums also show them – so by the time a new kitten joins your family, they’re already part-way to being house trained. It might not be all smooth sailing, but it will work out in time.

  2. Choose a tray with low sides – We want our kittens to have easy access to the litter tray – if it’s too deep, their little legs will struggle to get in and out.

  3. Put the tray in a quiet corner – Nobody likes being interrupted on the loo, and our kittens will want to go in peace too. If they’re interrupted, they might get distracted from getting on with their business.

  4. Show the new arrival as soon as they come home – They’ll need to know where the litter tray is so they know where to go. Try to keep them within easy reach of it in the early days. Or if the kitten has been born into your family rather than brought into it, try showing them the litter tray at 3 or 4 weeks of age.

  5. Check what’s in the litter itself – Use a kitten-friendly litter that doesn’t clump, isn’t scented and doesn’t contain strong chemicals, just in case. Kittens want to learn about the world around them and they’ll use all their senses to do this. That includes putting things in their mouths, so their litter needs to be safe. 

  6. Replace the litter regularly – Cats have super smelling senses, much keener than our own. A dirty litter tray will put them off going there again. Disinfect the box whenever you change the litter, too. They’ll thank you for it. 

  7. Know when they need to go – Kittens often want to use their litter tray when they wake up and after they’ve eaten. Help them along by popping them in the tray at these times, as well as before they go to bed.  Keep an eye out for toileting signals at other times too. Cats often sniff, scratch and crouch when they need to go. Spot the signs and you can carry them over to the tray sharpish.

  8. Reward good toileting habits – When your kitten uses their litter tray, give them a toy or treat as positive reinforcement. This makes it more likely that they’ll use the litter tray again in the future.

  9. Don’t tell them off for making mistakes – Sometimes kittens and cats can get it wrong and have an accident or three. Don’t punish them in any way, however unpleasant kitten pee on the floor can be! They can get anxious or upset and that could make matters worse. If they keep going in the wrong place, see it as a signal to try putting their litter tray in that spot, if that’s practical.

  10. Clean up accidents quickly – If cats can smell the wee or poop they’ve left behind, they can end up going in the same spot again because they think of it as their toilet. Remember, their sense of smell is stronger than ours. Avoid products that contain ammonia (it can smell a bit like urine) and use enzyme cleaners instead – check the ingredients and usage instructions.
 

Litter training can sometimes take patience, but following these steps will help kittens and cats take strides towards being fully housetrained. Which is good news for everyone – our cats, ourselves and our carpets.


 

Up Next

See All Articles
Pet Life

Affordable Pet Parenting – hints and tips with Marc the Vet

Pet Life

Marc the Vet answers your most asked pet parent questions

Pet Life

How to make a kitten's new home safe

Pet Life

How to Groom Your Dog or Cat at Home

Pet Life

Puppy Training Guide

Pet Life

Kitten Behaviour: Stop Biting & Scratching

Pet Life

Brain training for dogs – mental stimulation to improve your pet pooch's wellbeing

Cat grooming a kitten
Pet Life

Introducing a kitten to a cat – a step-by-step guide

Pet Life

Cat body language: our guide to the basics of cat communication

Pet Life

Protecting your dog from sunburn

A black cat laying on a rug, facing the camera
Pet Life

Moving house with a cat – our simple, step-by-step guide

Pet Life

Leaving a Puppy Alone While You’re at Work: Our Top Tips

Separation Anxiety
Pet Life

Easing Separation Anxiety in Dogs: 7 Tips That Can Help

Dog anxiety products
Pet Life

Dog anxiety: How Can You Keep Your Dog Calm?

Marc the Vet with a dog
Pet Life

Anxiety in Dogs: How can you help? By Marc the Vet

Veterinary expert Marc the Vet Abraham holding dog
Pet Life

SUMMER PET CARE TIPS FROM VETERINARY EXPERT MARC ‘THE VET’ ABRAHAM

Pet Life

Do I need a pet passport to travel abroad? Post-Brexit pet travel, explained

Pet Life

Dogs and cats in hot weather: your questions answered

Pet Life

When are dogs allowed on the beach? Our guide to enjoying the seaside with your pet

Pet Life

The plants toxic to dogs and cats you should watch out for this summer

How to treat your dog or cat for bee stings
Pet Life

What to do if your dog or cat is stung by a bee or wasp: our emergency summer tips

be consistent with rules for your new puppy
Pet Life

Raising a pup - our pro tips for new puppy parents

Pet Life

Pets should have fun in the sun – just don’t forget the sun cream!

Pet Life

Cooling summer treats for your dog

Pet Life

Summer pet travel tips

Pet Life

How to keep your pet cool in the summer heat

Pet Life

How to keep our cats and dogs full of Christmas cheer

Pet Life

Puppy and kitten care countdown - Key dates you need to know

Pet Life

Keep your pooch safe this barbeque season

Pet Life

How to keep your pet summer-safe at the beach

Pet Life

How to Calm Your Dog During Fireworks

a dog playing in the sand
Pet Life

Understanding Dog’s Body Language

Pet Life

How to tell if your cat misses you

Pet Life

Bringing a newborn into a house with dogs?

Pet Life

Why do cats sleep so much?

The trouble with pets and picnics
Pet Life

The trouble with pets and picnics!

Dog in cool water to avoid getting heatstroke
Pet Life

How to keep your pet cool this summer!

Dog on a sunny beach
Pet Life

Pets should have fun in the sun – just don’t forget the sun cream!

Dog suffering heatstroke being given water
Pet Life

Watch out for heatstroke

Child and dog on an adventure
Pet Life

Are you planning on traveling abroad with your pet this summer?

Dog splashing around in stagnant pond
Pet Life

Swimming fun in the springtime sun!

New kitten free of fleas
Pet Life

Getting off on the right paw

Sad dog getting ready for kennels
Pet Life

Are you planning to book your dog into kennels?

Dog playing in grassy field on hot day
Pet Life

Why Your Pet will be Itching to get out of the summer heat!

Help and advice

Whether you're an animal guru or a first-time pet owner, our pet-care tips will help you along the way.
FIND OUT MORE

Join the Community

If you have questions, our experts have answers. If you are puzzled over how to control flea and tick problems, you might find the solution here.
Join
  • FAQ
  • FRONTLINE COMMUNITY
  • OUR BLOG
  • CONTACT US

For our recommended retailers, click below

Where to Buy
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal Terms
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Cookie Policy
  • Data Sheets

© Boehringer Ingelheim 2023

Boehringer Ingelheim Logo