Kitten Guide

• • Kitten - 10 key facts
  • A brief breed guide
  • Cattery guide
  • Dealing with an emergency
  • Essential equipment
  • Feline ailments
  • House or outdoor cat?
  • Housetraining your kitten
  • How vets can help
  • Keeping your kitten healthy
  • Looking out for signs of illness
  • Nursing a sick kitten
  • Playing with your kitten
  • Preventing parasites
  • Responsible ownership
  • Starting a healthy diet
  • Successful grooming
  • Travel advice

Follow our easy steps to getting your kitten litter trained. Don't forget, follow a strict hygiene regime to avoid unexpected visits to the vet. If the worse happens, protect yourself from unbudgeted vet bills with a suitable pet insurance policy.

Equipment
Training
Toileting instinct
Socialising
Discipline

Equipment
Litter trays start from a basic plastic box to complex models with covers and filters designed to keep down smells. Whichever you choose, make sure you clean and disinfect regularly. The tray should not be too deep, so your kitten can get in and out easily. It's also a good idea to place it somewhere quiet. Do not shout or punish your kitten if she has an accident.

There's also a wide range of litter available. Its job is to absorb urine and reduce odour. The litter should also be light enough for your kitten to scrape it over any faeces.  Check your kitten likes the texture and smell otherwise she may be reluctant to use the tray. Avoid sawdust, newspapers and other wood products, because they can be an irritant.

Training
Step 1: Start by showing her the tray, holding her paws and scratching the litter with them.

Step 2: Place your kitten in the tray when she has finished eating or wakes up.

Step 3: Leave your kitten alone during toileting.

Step 4: Pick her up and place her on the tray when you see her crouching and lifting her tail.

Toileting instinct
Cats spray urine to mark out territory or occasionally if they feel threatened. Un-neutered toms produce the strongest smelling urine, but entire females also do this when they are on heat. In exceptional circumstances marking can involve dropping faeces away from litter trays. If this behaviour persists see your vet.

Socialisation
Kittens must get used to being handled by other people and coping with new situations. This is called socialisation. It should start when she is first separated from her mother. Spend lots of time with her, only gradually introducing new people and situations.

Discipline
Set the boundaries early, but never shout or use physical force. A tap on the nose used with the word 'no' should be enough.