About Dear Tabbi Expertise My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too.
Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again.
Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.
Experience Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).
Education/Credentials ***********
Awards and Honors * One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
Question Help! I just adopted an adorable 8 week old barn kitten. Shes settling in nicely and appears to only have one behavioral issue - she refuses to use a litter box. I doubt that shes ever seen one, let alone used one. I thought that litter training was "built-in" in cats... where do I begin?
I found a box with low sides for easy access, used unscented litter and found a secluded spot.... Nope! she's not having it!
Answer Betty,
Use dirt at first. That is what she is used to and it will be familiar. She probably doesn't have any idea what litter is for. Cats are creatures of habit and routine. You can gradually add litter to the dirt until you finally have all litter. By then she should not have a problem with it.
I am including some links to good articles about improper elimination. They have information that you should find helpful in dealing with the kitten's behavior.
(copy and paste or type the whole links into your address bar)
My personal opinion I'm just throwing in is that with a kitten that young, you should have two for companionship and play. It makes a kitten more well-rounded and well-adjusted, and not so dependant on humans for attention, to have a companion. Plus they can teach and learn from each other...like using the litterbox!
