Last Updated: 23/06/2025
Just got a new kitten? Check out our tips and tricks for toilet training your kitten to use the litterbox from our vet team.
Author: Dr Carla Paszkowski BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 19 minutes - medium read
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First and foremost, pick the type of litter best suited to your cat's individual preferences!
If you are introducing your kitten to toilet training, it is recommended to use a natural based, non-clumping type of litter for kittens such as paper and wood litter. Clumping litters and silica crystal types are best avoided as they could cause intestinal blockages when ingested. It is not unusual for small kittens to be curious and attempt to eat their litter substrate.
As mentioned earlier, it's best to stick to the same litter the breeder, shelter or previous owner of your kitten had been using. Providing this constant can help to reduce accidents.
Looking for more information? Find the best litter for your cat with our complete guide to cat litter.
To begin with, try to limit your kitten's access to just a few rooms of the house. This allows you to monitor their activity and means the litter box is always within easy reach. Read our guide to introducing a new cat to your household if you already have cats.
Kittens have less control over their urination and placing the litter tray in an easily accessible place, not too far away, will help minimise accidents. The more your kitten uses their litter tray, the faster they will learn.
Consider these points below when placing your cats litter box:
Gently place your kitten in the litter box at an opportune time, such as after playing, waking up from a nap, or finishing a meal. If your kitten has an accident, you may also place some of their faeces in the litterbox for a while to give them the right idea.
Give them plenty of praise or pats, immediately after they have toileted correctly to encourage your kitten to continue using the litter tray.
There will be accidents from time to time. This is normal as your kitten is still learning!
Your cat will be much more likely to return to the litter tray if it is nice and clean, so it's best to check the litter tray regularly. Once your kitten has used the litter box, make sure to clean up the mess promptly.
Use a litter scoop to remove solid waste on a daily basis and change the litter completely every week or two. Have a look at the back of the litter packet; most will have a guide as to how often it should be replaced.
The best cleaners to use are the enzymatic cleaners which can break down the urine and thoroughly eliminate stains and odours. Avoid disinfectants containing bleach, ammonia or strong fragrances. These are unsafe for use around cats and strong smells may discourage use of the litter tray.
Remember to be patient with your new kitten. It will take a little trial and error but by providing him with lots of encouragement, a clean and inviting litter box, your kitten will be using it like a pro in no time!
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Veterinarian
Dr. Carla graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and worked for a number of years in small animal clinics across South East Queensland. While Carla enjoys most facets of clinical veterinary work, she holds a special passion for feline medicine, pocket pets, and nutrition.
Congratulations on your new, furry, purry bundle of joy! Now that your kitten is settling into their new home, one of your first priorities is likely to be litter box training.
Do kittens need to be toilet trained? It is important that your kitten learns where they should go to toilet. Cultivating appropriate toileting behaviour helps to maintain good hygiene within your house.
Fortunately, cats value cleanliness and instinctively want to bury their waste. Indoor cats usually take to using a litter box naturally, so long as it is accessible and clean. This means that toilet training your kitten is usually fairly easy and straightforward!
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