Kittens using their litter tray as a bed

R
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Hi everyone,

My friend and I have a cat who has given birth to 6 kittens. Now that they are 3-4 weeks old, we've provided a small litter tray for them, but they're using it like a mattress. How can we teach them to do their business in there instead of using it as a bed?

Thanks so much for your help.

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    • C
    Chatzen Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi,

    At this age, it’s quite common for kittens to explore the litter tray and even lie down in it. They’re still in the middle of learning.

    To help them tell the difference, I’d suggest:

    • providing several litter trays that are easy to access and have low sides;

    • placing the trays in quiet spots, away from their food and water;

    • giving them plenty of comfy places to sleep: beds, blankets, or small cardboard boxes;

    • gently placing them in the litter tray after meals and when they wake up, then praising them when they use it correctly;

    • cleaning the trays regularly so they remain primarily associated with going to the toilet.

    With 6 kittens, it’s especially important to have enough trays to stop them from becoming nap spots due to a lack of choice. The general recommendation is ideally one tray per cat, plus an extra one, so 7 if the 6 kittens and their mum are living together.

    Most importantly, avoid scolding them or forcing them: they’ll gradually learn to tell their toilet and their sleeping area apart. 🐾

    Chatzen 🐾

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    ProvetoJuniorConseil
    Provetojuniorconseil Icon representing the flag French
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    Hi, You could try placing a cat bed near the litter tray and redirecting them to it when they go there to rest. You can reinforce the training with rewards (strokes, toys, treats, praise...) whenever they choose to settle in their bed to rest on their own. This should help teach them not to use the litter tray as a bed. Make sure they also have plenty of other comfy beds in safe, quiet spots, as well as enclosed sleeping areas (a cardboard box, for example). Best regards, Laura Michel
    Translated from French

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