When do kittens start using the litter box?

Caging kittens for the first few weeks of their life is the best way to ensure good litter box habits later on in life. To most cats the litter box is instinctual and even a cat who’s never seen one may be inclined to use it.

Can a kitten go to the bathroom on its own?

According to The Cat Doctor, kittens cannot defecate on their own for the first 2-3 weeks ( 1 ). Instead, the mother needs to lick their stomach and genitals in order to help them go potty.

Where is the best place to put kittens?

A safe place is somewhere that is away from humans and other animals (even daddy cat), and hazardous areas (next to stairs, for example). Basically nowhere in which the mom or the newborn kittens can get hurt or disturbed. Examples of safe locations include (but are not limited to):

Is it OK to separate kittens from their mother?

Generally, kittens born into this environment will turn out to be human friendly, but be careful—if you don’t separate the mother from the kittens at the age of weaning, they may pick up on her fear of you and revert back to wild behaviors.

Caging kittens for the first few weeks of their life is the best way to ensure good litter box habits later on in life. To most cats the litter box is instinctual and even a cat who’s never seen one may be inclined to use it.

Why does my cat keep her kittens in the basement?

For example, a house cat may move her kittens to an area like a basement that isn’t used often. That basement could have lots of nooks, crannies, and items in it that present a danger to her kittens. However, in her mind, it is safe because it’s quiet and away from lots of noise and commotion.

Where does a mother cat hide her kittens?

In addition, if a room is too noisy or too bright, she may decide to move her kittens to a more secluded location. Oftentimes, an indoor mother cat will move her kittens to an area like a closet, under a bed, a dresser drawer, behind a sofa, or even a kitchen cabinet.

According to The Cat Doctor, kittens cannot defecate on their own for the first 2-3 weeks ( 1 ). Instead, the mother needs to lick their stomach and genitals in order to help them go potty.