Litter Training a Kitten

Honestly, I don't really know if really is a natural thing or not, but that's what I've always been told. Of course, that could be some myth, and I just don't know any better. Charlie and Deuce both came from shelters. Charlie was 10 weeks old, and Deuce was around 12 weeks old. They used litter boxes at the shelters, but to make sure they knew where their boxes were, I put them in the box at home, and I've never had a problem since. Well...except that one time Charlie peed in the tub because the box wasn't clean enough for him...[8|]
 
 

with our two cats, sasha was already litter trained when my wife adopted her. our other cat found us when she was very young. i am not sure if she figured out the litter box from watching sasha or on her on.

I fostered three 4-week old kittens that were living outside and were trapped by the shelter. No mom included. I gave them a litterbox and they never missed it.
The only time I had a problem was when I fostered a litter of newborn, and their mother. During her litterbox training time (very interesting to watch - I was fascinated) the kittens would miss now and then but there were very very young.
I also fostered 5 4-week old kittens whose mom had been PTS for being aggressive. Those kittens, although borderline feral, were also good with the box.
Cats naturally bury their waste so they won't get discovered.
As long as the box is kept clean and is easy for the kitten to get in/out of no problem. I use small litterboxes for kittens the sides are lower.
Just don't use scoopable litter for kittens. They can't pass any lumps that develop inside them.

We just got our kitten a week and a half ago.  I was told the same thing about not using clumping litter with a kitten. At what age can you start using the clumping litter.  I have read about Worlds Best Cat Litter and it claims to be safe for kittens. Anyone used it for kittens?  He is 8 weeks old. Actually 9 weeks on friday.
 

I was told 6 months of age. I would use just clay....what I've been reading about clumping is also the chemicals in them to create the clump is a potential problem (what isn't). I use scoopable for my cats. When I have foster kittens I buy cheap clay (my last group I had to clean/refill their box 2x/day so I got cheap)

Aren't scoopable and clumping the same thing?  lol  I am so confused.  Worlds best cat litter is supposed to be made of corn and safe for kittens.  IDK    You said you use scoopable is that for your kittens also or your older cats?

yes scoopable is clumping (I'm at work and I mess up when I answer phones and type - can't chew gum and walk either).
I've never used Worlds Best Litter - with 4 cats and various fosters that stuff is out of my price league.
I don't use scooping/clumping for kittens but do use it for my cats.

I would avoid the whole issue and get a kitten that is already litter trained.  This is not difficult.  Find one that has been raised in someone's home (a lot of animal shelters foster kittens to volunteer homes), preferably with its mother around.
 
If the kitten is very young when you bring it home, you should keep him in the room with his litter box for a few days (especially when you aren't home or if your house is very large) so that he doesn't get lost.  Once he's used the box once or twice, you should not have a problem, if you keep things pretty clean.
 
Also, even if you use clay, which I would recommend until he is 6 mos or so, scooping out the solids once a day and giving it a stir so that it dries out between changings will keep things a lot cleaner, and reduce the number of times you have to change the litter completely.  Some of my cat friends swear by the flushable litters, which are convenient; I live in a condo, however, and the possible effect on the plumbing (or rather, my downstairs neighbor's plumbing) makes me nervous.
 
Finally, decide where you want the litter box to be BEFORE you introduce the kitten and leave it there.  Even adult cats can have difficulty if they have to guess where the litter box is today.
 
In half a century of cat motherhood, the only cats I've ever known to have problems with litter box have been those raised in pet stores, or confined in cages (for example, at inadequate shelters) for extended periods before they find their forever homes.  If a cat suddenly stops using the litter box after you've had him a while, he needs to see the vet right away.  He could have bladder or kidney problems, or parasites, or a number of other health issues.  The good news is that most of these problems are not difficult for you and the vet to solve.
 
Just in passing, I've always kept my cats indoors.  Indoor cats are safer, healthier, and perfectly happy if they have enough to do.  Be sure to provide a nice tall scratching post with a heavy base, and some interactive toys.  If you work all day as I do, you should seriously consider adopting two kittens so they have some company.  They will be just as affectionate toward you, and you won't feel guilty if you have to work late.
 
Hope this helps!

Hey, love_my_jakey, a World's Best Litter user here.  It is definitely made of corn and it is a "clumping" litter.  I would tend to believe it is safe for kittens as it has no added scent and is actually sort of bigger grained than clumping clay litters.  MUCH less dust - almost negligible - and I think the issue with kittens is the scent additives and the fact that some of that stuff clumps REALLY hard and is VERY DUSTY, so the might inhale some and have some respiratory issues.
 
Incidentally, I have a cat who had mild asthma and switching to World's Best from sillica or clay based litters effectively stopped his occasional wheezing....
 
It is spendier, but worth it for me because of that.

One of my cats was 6 weeks when we got him, we put him in the litter box, he used it, and never went anywhere else.  I have never known a cat who didn't immediately know to use the litter box, but since Mouse was so young and he knew, I just assume that it comes natural.

Thank you for the replies.  Pofi_pasquale I think I will check out Worlds Best when I go to get litter this weekend.  He doesn't have a problem at all with the litter box.  It is me who thinks that the clay litters don't control the odor as well.  Pofi do you flush the litter? Just wondering because my son would love to have that option when scooping the box. Right now he has to scoop, bag, and take downstairs and outside to the garbage can out front.  Thanks again. Paula

luv_my_jakey:  I'm of the same opinion on the odor control of the scented silica or clay litters.  I think they try hard to mask it, but I don't LIKE the scents they use and HATE it when my kitties paws smell like it or when they've accidentally stepped in a wet clump and end up with dried clumps stuck to their toe tufts (Benito is a very shaggy cat with hobbit feet - lots of toe tufts). 
 
IMO, Worlds Best controls odor FAR better.  Just seems to be soaked up and gone.  I do believe it is labeled as flushable, but I don't, just because I don't - none of our boxes is all that close to a commode and I'm happy enough to bag and take out.  Sorry - that probably does not help much. 
 
Also, they have a "multi-cat" version which, I think, is made of wheat rather than corn, but I switched back. Felt like the corn worked better, clumped better and had better odor control.  Also, wheat is a common allergen for cats and dogs and people, so my vet had cautioned against the wheat litters with our slightly asthmatic cat.

Went to Petsmart last night and bought a bag of Worlds Best.  I love the way it smells when you pour it out of the bag,  just so fresh and natural.  The kitten got in and smelled around and then got out and wouldn't go back in.  Like he was not sure of it.  So decided to leave him alone (after playing awhile of course) and check on him later.  He had used it when I went back in the room later so Yay I think we have a new litter. crosses fingers!!
 
I did flush the waste down the toilet and it seemed fine. I read many reviews of the litter and there were no reports of problems soooo.  crosses finger yet again LOL
 
Thanks for giving me your opinion and I'll let you know what I think about the odor control in a few days.

Well, that's good news so far! Good kitty!
 
Hope you think it works for odor control.  I have 3 covered boxes in the back corner of the basement on a specially built shelf, so I wouldn't really notice how "effective" it is there for odor. But we also have a LitterMaid box on our main living floor in the cats' room (where their feeding stations are) and it just seems to work better then when I used other stuff.  I think it's so dry that it seems to just wick the moisture out fo the solid and the liquid waste becomes a dry clump pretty quicky.  The self cleaning aspect IS not what is controlling the odor, but that does keep the cats happy by keeping the litter pretty clean.