How to Litter Train a Kitten - Step 2

Place the box in a peaceful location
     Don't put the litter box in a high-traffic area of your house. The ideal location is easily accessible, offers plenty of privacy, and is free of sudden noises and movements. The box should be in an area that the kitten spends a lot of time in. Do not put the litter box in the laundry room, the sudden noises of the washer and drying could cause of fear of using the litter box. If you have to move the litter box while you train the kitten you should only move it a few feet at a time. Do not move the box from room to room.

Place the kitten in the filled litter box.
     As soon as you bring the kitten home, place her in the box so she can get use to the smell and feel of the kitty litter. Let her spend a few minutes in there, even if she doesn't go to the bathroom the first time. Continue to place the kitten in the box after it eats, wakes up or any other time you think she is searching for something. If she squats anywhere other than the litter box please her in the box immediately. Some kittens will understand the purpose of the litter box instantly and require no training, others will need to be placed in box as many as 10 times. Avoid showing our kitten the digging motion that cats use to bury their waste as it may frighten them.

Use praise, not punishment
     As the kitten grows used to the litter box and starts using it as her toilet, praise her each time she goes by petting her. Do not discipline her while she is in the box, or she might start associated the box as punishment. Kittens are not like dogs, they do not respond well to having their noses rubbed in a mess. If she has an accident, let her sniff the mess, then gently lift her and put her in the box. Never spank or yell at a kitten to punish her. It will only make her afraid and cause to her to hiss and bite.

Provide enough litter box.
     If possible, you should have one litter box for each cat in your house, plus an additional litter box.

Consider a confinement period.
     When first introduce a kitten to your home, you may want to confine her to a small area for the first few weeks. This can help her acclimate slowly to her new environment and will giver her easy access to her litter box. Keep the litter box at the opposite end of where the food and bedding are.