Last Updated: 07/05/2026
The Ultimate Kitten Training Guide: Tips for a Happy Home
Learn how to toilet train your kitten, stop biting and scratching, and choose the best food with expert tips from the Pet Circle veterinary team.
Author: Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 8 minutes - short read
Bringing a tiny, purring bundle of fur into your home is one of life’s greatest joys, but it can also feel a bit like a whirlwind. As pet parents, we want to set our newest family members up for success from day one, ensuring they grow into confident, well-adjusted adults. While kittens are famous for their independent streaks, the early weeks are a critical window for learning "house rules." Whether you are navigating the mysteries of the litter tray or trying to save your favourite armchair from sharp little claws, this guide provides the practical, gentle steps you need to foster good habits that will last a lifetime.
Better kitten bundle
Need supplies for a new kitten? Check out our Better Kitten Bundle - a complete vet-approved kitten essentials pack, designed to help tick off your 'new kitten checklist'. It contains parasite prevention, toys, a scratcher, treats, litter, food vouchers, and more!
Filled with over $185 worth of products, our discounted price ($49.95) makes for incredible value. You couldn't ask for a more 'purrfect' welcome pack for a new kitten!
How do I toilet train my kitten?
Cats are naturally very clean animals, so toilet training is generally quite easy with new kittens. You will need to invest in a good quality litter tray, ideally with low sides that are easy to access for little kitten legs.
If you know what litter the kitten has used prior to adoption, it is recommended to use the same litter initially. This will make toilet training a lot easier to begin with. Not all litter types are considered safe for kittens. When choosing a litter for kittens it is recommmended to opt for paper or natural based litters such as wood, tofu or corn, and avoid clay or crystal litters as these can be harmful if ingested.
When you first bring your kitten home, keep them isolated to one room initially. This will give them time to adjust to the change in environment and learn to use the litter tray. Place a feliway diffuser in the room to help them feel calm in their new surroundings.
Place them in the litter tray and, gently using their paw, encourage them to scratch around. This will give them an idea of what do in the litter box. You can place them in the tray several times a day, after playing, eating or sleeping, to encourage them to use it at times that they typically need to toilet. Once they have perfected the litter tray in this room, then allow access to the rest of the house.
Place the litter tray in a central location where the kitten spends a lot of time, so that they have easy access to the tray. You should have multiple trays for the different areas of the house, especially important in multi-story houses, as this will minimise the likelihood of accidents happening. As your kitten grows, less litter trays will be required.
It is important to remember that kittens are still learning and accidents may still occur. In the event of an accident, do not reprimand your kitten. Clean the area up quickly using an enzyme-based cleaner, to ensure that the area is thoroughly cleaned and there is no residual smell. This will decrease the likelihood of your kitten urinating in the same area again.
As previously mentioned, cats are extremely clean animals. For this reason, it is important to clean and change the litter tray regularly. Not only will your litter tray smell if it is not clean, your kitten will be less likely to want to use it, and will be more likely to have accidents in other areas of the house.
Tips for success:
- Purchase several low sided litter trays
- Use the same litter (if possible) to help your kitten adjust
- Introduce your kitten to one room first to help them adjust to their new house
- Use a Feliway diffuser to help them feel calm in their new surrounding
- Place your kitten in the litter tray often, until they get the idea
- Have several litter trays in easy to reach locations
- Expect accidents as kittens are still learning
- Clean up accidents quickly using an enzyme based cleaner
- Change the litter and clean the tray regularly
How do I stop my kitten from biting me?
Kittens love to play, and biting and scratching is part of normal kitten development. If you watch a litter of kittens play together, they will continually bite and scratch each other as part of the game. When a kitten bites the other too hard, the kitten on the receiving end will cry and let the other know "ow, that was too hard". This is how kittens learn bite inhibition or how hard to the bite each other, without hurting.
It is important that you continue to teach your kitten what is unacceptable play behaviour. If your kitten bites or scratches you too hard, say "ouch" with a firm voice and then redirect your kitten to an appropriate toy. This will teach your kitten that if they want to bite and scratch, then a toy is to correct place to do this. If your kitten continues to bite, you may want to consider placing them in 'time out'. This involves gently placing them in a quiet room so that they can calm down. Once they are calm and no longer over stimulated, then they can come out and continue playing correctly.
It is important to provide lots of toys and mental stimulation. Play is an important part of kitten development and a great bonding experience for you and your kitten. You should never use fingers or hands as a play toy. This may be cute as kittens, but soon they will grow up, and being bitten by a cat is a lot more painful! Most cats and kittens, do not like being touched on the tummy and this will often cause a biting response. When patting your kitten, avoid this area to ensure that patting is a positive and relationship building experience.
Sometimes biting can be a fear response. If your kitten has not been well socialised or handled prior to adoption, then they may be fearful of their new surroundings. With fearful kittens it is important to slowly introduce them to being handled. Try patting them slowly, several times a day to get them used to human contact and always make this a positive experience.
Lastly, if your kitten is biting when handled and has not shown this type of behaviour before, then this may be an indication that your kitten is in pain. In this case, an appointment with your veterinarian is recommended.
How do I stop my kitten from scratching the furniture?
Scratching is natural behaviour for kittens and cats. Cats scratch for many reasons. They use scratching to mark their territory both visually and through scent, from the glands in their paws. Scratching also helps to shed the outer layer or their claws and keeps them nice and sharp. While this is normal behaviour in our feline friends, it is very undesirable for us if the area that they choose to scratch is our favourite couch or carpet!
Here are some tips to help your kitten establish good scratching habits:
- Provide plenty of scratching posts
- Try different types and textures of scratch posts as they will often have a preference. Initially try one of each - carpet, rope, cardboard to see which one your kitten prefers
- Try vertical and horizontal scratch posts
If your kitten is already scratching some undesirable locations then apply some no scratch spray to discourage scratching. Double sided tape or sticky paws applied to high scratch areas can also prevent scratching, as cats and kittens do not like the feel.
Keeping your kitten's claws clipped short can help minimise the damage done from normal scratching behaviour. A good quality pair of Nail Clippers is essential for this task.
If scratching is an ongoing issue, then a visit to the veterinarian is recommended. Sometimes scratching can be a sign of anxiety and your veterinarian can recommend some strategies to help you manage these symptoms. Declawing cats and kittens robs them of their natural instincts to scratch and is banned in Australia.
Can I teach my kitten tricks?
The answer is a resounding yes! While we often associate obedience with puppies, kittens are incredibly inquisitive and capable of learning everything from sitting to spinning on command and walking on a lead. Training provides essential mental stimulation for a growing brain and serves as a fantastic bonding experience. To get started, you will need a quiet space, plenty of patience, and high-value rewards.
Cats thrive on positive reinforcement, so the key is to reward the desired behaviour the very second it happens. Keep sessions short - usually just two to five minutes - to match their brief attention spans, and always end on a successful note.
It may take some practice, but it will be a great bonding experience for you and your kitten.
Kitten Training FAQs
Training a kitten requires a sprinkle of patience and a lot of positive reinforcement. By providing the right outlets for their natural instincts - like scratching and hunting - and setting clear boundaries for "paws-off" zones, you are setting them up for a lifetime of success. Remember, every interaction is a bonding opportunity. Stay consistent, keep the treats handy, and enjoy watching your kitten’s unique personality shine as they learn the ropes of their new home.
Articles recommended for you
Choosing a dog trainer is a big decision for any pet parent. From checking qualifications to understanding positive reinforcement, our Australian vets share 10 essential questions to help you find a skilled professional who makes learning fun.
Wondering how to teach your cat to walk on a lead? Check out our tips and tricks to train your cat from our vet team.
Does your pet suffer from anxiety? Check out our Vet-guide for treatment options to help your pet.
Putting boundaries in place with your puppy early on means that you wont be dealing with puppy antics for years to come. Learn how!
Wondering how to teach your cat to sit? Check out our tips and tricks to make the process easier for everyone from our vet team.
History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Thu 7 May 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Belinda Stancombe BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr Belinda graduated from The University of Queensland in 2009 and has worked as a Small Animal Veterinarian for over 10 years in South East Queensland. She also has experience as a telehealh consultant, providing veterinary advice for online customers.She has a special interest in animal behaviour, preventative health, the human-animal bond and internal medicine. Outside of work hours she is closely affiliated with a kitten rescue and is also a devoted carer of orphaned rescue kittens.
