KittenAid

Grooming and Litter Box Training

Mom cats multi-task when cleaning their babies. After every feeding, the mother will lick each kitten from head to tail. Not only does this clean the kittens, it helps them to have regular bowel movements. By licking the kitten's abdomen, she stimulates the bowels and bladder and tidies up the resulting mess. At the same time, she is teaching them how to clean their own fur.

If you are raising abandoned kittens, you will need to perform a version of the mother’s tasks until the kittens are litter-trained. Cleanliness is a key to keeping kittens healthy, but they must be taught the technique. The time you spend grooming your little charges will help in bonding and socializing as they grow older as well because they enjoy the attention.

After each feeding, gently clean the kittens with a clean soft cloth, cotton pad or tissues dampened with warm water. Using short strokes to mimic the mother’s licking motion, gently rub each kitten's abdomen and bottom until he does his business. Results normally occur in just a minute.

Kitten skin is quite delicate and over-stimulation will irritate the area, so watch for chafing. If a kitten’s fur becomes caked with dried food or feces, it is easier on his skin to wash him in warm (never hot) water. Wet the kitten as little as possible to remove the muck, dry him gently, and keep him warm until he is thoroughly dry.

When kittens are about four weeks old, they are usually ready to be introduced to the litter box. Their first box should have low sides so they can get in and out by themselves. It should be easily accessible in a quiet area of the house, affording some privacy. After each meal, put the kitten in the litter box. You may have to take the kitten's paw and show him how to scratch in the litter once or twice, but cats have natural instincts to scratch and will usually catch on quickly.

The litter box should be cleaned at least once a day and may need to be cleaned more often if it is being used by more than one cat. Ideally, each cat should have his own box, but as long as the litter is kept clean most cats won’t mind sharing. Some cats are picky about the type of litter they prefer. Although clean up seems easier with the clumping type of litter, most veterinarians recommend the regular type while the kittens are young. This is because their digestive systems are still very small. Clumping litter that is ingested while the kitten cleans itself may impede the urinary tract causing infection.

If you decide to change the type of litter you use, or change the location of the litter box, do so gradually. Sudden changes can cause the cat to develop an aversion to the litter box. If your cat begins to use places other than the litter box for his business, make sure the box is clean and that he is not disturbed while using it. If you’ve eliminated other causes and your cat continues to go in inappropriate places, it could be a sign that he is fighting a urinary tract infection. Have him checked by your veterinarian as soon as possible.

If your cat begins to show signs of illness such as decreased appetite, abnormal thirst or lack of energy, the litter box can provide valuable information regarding his health. Cats will normally urinate two or three times a day, and defecate once or twice. Make it a habit to pay attention to the cat’s stool while you are cleaning the litter box. Normal stool is moist but firm, and appears a light brown color.

Differences in either color or texture can indicate health problems such as bowel irritations, bacterial imbalances and infections. Blood or mucous in the stool, or persistent diarrhea are indications of severe illness. A cat with these symptoms needs to be evaluated and treated by a veterinarian immediately.