New Kitten

[meddauna]

On tuesday before work, the wife rescued a kitten that got herself stuck in the undercarriage of her car. we had it locked up in a bathroom with some food and water and a box with a towel to lay in. well, we (read she)decided to keep it. we took it to the vet and everything appears fine. she's about 8 weeks old at 1.4lbs.

the first day or so we had her, she was quite tame/lethargic, she just stayed in the box to sleep and would only come out to eat/drink and use the litter box. now that she's been fed for a couple days and has more energy, she's never in the box and won't use the litter box.

our problem is this, she loves being held and snuggled with. the wife will pick her up and she'll lay on her and sleep and purr like crazy and generally having a great time. but the second she's on the floor by herself, she'll run away from anyone near by and hide behind the couch. we know she comes out when we're not home because there's poop everywhere. what's the best way to get her to come out and be as friendly as she is when we pick her up, and how do we get her to use the litter box like she did when we first found her.

also, we'd be happy to hear any other tips for a feral kitten.

 

[ciwmj]

On tuesday before work, the wife rescued a kitten that got herself stuck in the undercarriage of her car. we had it locked up in a bathroom with some food and water and a box with a towel to lay in. well, we (read she)decided to keep it. we took it to the vet and everything appears fine. she's about 8 weeks old at 1.4lbs.

the first day or so we had her, she was quite tame/lethargic, she just stayed in the box to sleep and would only come out to eat/drink and use the litter box. now that she's been fed for a couple days and has more energy, she's never in the box and won't use the litter box.

our problem is this, she loves being held and snuggled with. the wife will pick her up and she'll lay on her and sleep and purr like crazy and generally having a great time. but the second she's on the floor by herself, she'll run away from anyone near by and hide behind the couch. we know she comes out when we're not home because there's poop everywhere. what's the best way to get her to come out and be as friendly as she is when we pick her up, and how do we get her to use the litter box like she did when we first found her.

also, we'd be happy to hear any other tips for a feral kitten.

If you are using scented litter , try using unscented. The scented stuff is offensive to cats as they have a sense of smell many times greater than ours. As for the running away , it is possibly because the kitten is terrified by a persons size.We are pretty large compared to a kitten. Try getting on the floor with her and see if the same running away happens. If not then you have found the problem and the kitten will get used to you.

 

[DosGattos]

Try cat attract cat litter. Cats/kittens can't help themselves and they feel the need to climb into the litter box. Also when you aren't home you can try keeping her in a small room with her litter box, bed, some toys , food, and water. That might help her to use her litter box regularly.

 

[Katelin]

Go outside, dig up some dirt and mulch, place it onto of the litter..
Kitten does not know litter..but does know mulch, dirt, leaves..natures true litter box. Give her a few days with the leaf litter and slowly transistion to store bought litter. The finer, the better...like Arm and Hammer brand or Scoop Away.
If you have access to a dog crate, set it up with a litter box, bed, food and water and leave here there while you are at work.
I use this technique for all my orphan babies when I have to leave or at night when I sleep.
Need more advise, PM me.
Holding, brushing, and close supervision will do wonders...esp brushing...get an old tooth brush it is small and feels like momma's tounge on its coat

 

[cattitude]

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On tuesday before work, the wife rescued a kitten that got herself stuck in the undercarriage of her car. we had it locked up in a bathroom with some food and water and a box with a towel to lay in. well, we (read she)decided to keep it. we took it to the vet and everything appears fine. she's about 8 weeks old at 1.4lbs.

the first day or so we had her, she was quite tame/lethargic, she just stayed in the box to sleep and would only come out to eat/drink and use the litter box. now that she's been fed for a couple days and has more energy, she's never in the box and won't use the litter box.

our problem is this, she loves being held and snuggled with. the wife will pick her up and she'll lay on her and sleep and purr like crazy and generally having a great time. but the second she's on the floor by herself, she'll run away from anyone near by and hide behind the couch. we know she comes out when we're not home because there's poop everywhere. what's the best way to get her to come out and be as friendly as she is when we pick her up, and how do we get her to use the litter box like she did when we first found her.

also, we'd be happy to hear any other tips for a feral kitten.

She's not feral. An 8-week old feral kitten would tear you up. If you need help, send me a pm.

I've raised many, many orphan kittens. Are you confining her to a small space and keeping her litter box close by? Usually my kittens will start using the litter box by the time they're 4 weeks old. Make sure you don't use the clumping litter..young kittens tend to get it stuck on their paws, etc. and then groom themselves..not good for them. Most issues with the litter box are often emotional. Just make sure the box is close by and that the little kitty doesn't feel disturbed or threatened.

 

[hvp05]

By any chance did you change the [litter] box itself? Maybe you were using a temporary box at first, figuring you were not keeping her, then bought a permanent one that she dislikes?

 

[CountryLady]

also do not give small kittens the free run of the house at first. Just like small children they get a sudden sense of urgency and they need to go NOW! May not have time to get back to the box when they are busy playin'.


so, confine to the bathroom and then a small room for a few weeks. They have to get used to their surroundings.