Expert: Brandy - 12/24/2006

Question
We just adopted two kittens we were told were 6 1/2 weeks old - but look a good deal younger than this.  I have owned cats/kittens all of my life and litter box trained a great deal of them.  However, these two seem to be still going outside of the box and urinating/excreting on anything at anytime - even in their enclosed bathroom.  We have cleaned each area and sprayed the nature's miracle everywhere - but to no avail.

Can you please suggest anything?

Many thanks,
Amy

Answer
I think you're correct in quessing that these two might be younger than 6 weeks. When I used to show and breed my cats, I had to keep my kittens in either a tokyo cage (those 'gyms' that you see at pet stores usually housing ferrets), or a large dog crate. Very young kittens, even with momma present, still lack the bladder control to make it to the litter box in time.
I suggest patience.
Tons of patience.
No, actually, just a little more time so that the kittens can grow a little more. You may need to watch them and actually carry them to the litterbox when you think they might need it to reinforce it.
You might also look at the litter, too. Clay litter can be nasty for kittens, who could injest it. I personally use pine pellets for my cats when I realized that they disliked the sensation of the clumping litter.
Don't despair. Cats are incredibly fastidious creatures, and these teeny babies will learn the proper way to poo like a cat ;-)