new kitten keeps getting dirty in her litter box

Tagged: litter box

This topic has 16 replies, 9 voices, and was last updated 7 years, 11 months ago by Anonymous.

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4 November, 2008 at 8:02 pm #21796

iheartfenix
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Hello! I recently got 2 kittens and they are about 8 weeks old now. My little girl, Marin, loves to play in her litter box…so much that she gets her feet completely covered in her own mess and then she gets it all over my carpet. I’ve had cats before, but I’ve never had this issue. I feel like i have to wait by the box and check her everytime she comes out to avoid the mess. I’m concerned that might discourage her from using it if I’m jumping all over her. I’m very confused since cats are usually very clean and she keeps doing this. Is it possible she will grow out of this?

4 November, 2008 at 8:07 pm #318488

gini
Participant

Some kitties are just like this. It’s in their playful nature. Have you tried changing litter brands? One of my cats plays in some litter brands and not in others.

4 November, 2008 at 8:11 pm #318489

iheartfenix
Participant

I haven’t. I use Fresh Step which is what I’ve always used in the past, but i will try that.

4 November, 2008 at 8:17 pm #318490

gini
Participant

A lot of cats grow out of it with time, too, if a change in brand doesn’t work. Good luck 🙂 Perhaps in the meantime is there a room (like a basement or some other large space without a carpet) that kitty can stay in so she doesn’t track on the carpets?

4 November, 2008 at 8:26 pm #318491

iheartfenix
Participant

I do keep her in the kitchen while im away which really makes cleanup a breeze if there’s an accident! =] Thanks!!!

4 November, 2008 at 9:41 pm #318492

anncetera2
Participant

You might try shallowing out the litter in the box a bit. Try making sure that the litter’s an inch deep or less. While not as easy to scoop the litterbox, it makes it less fun to play in, if she can’t dig to China.

And you’re definitely right about not wanting to reprimand her while in the box! That would be bad.

You might try watching her use the box, and as soon as she’s done using it (and covering, if that’s something you want her to do), distract her with a toy to get her out of the box. A Cat Dancer or a toy on the end of a stick or string will usually do the trick… drag it away from the litterbox. Chances are your kitty will follow!

4 November, 2008 at 9:44 pm #318493

LadyKat of IA
Participant

It could be that she’s trying to clean up after herself, but she is just messing it up and getting it on herself as she’s trying to cover it up. You might want to keep an eye on her and see if she’s getting herself in a good position to “cover” instead of just scratching in the litter.

4 November, 2008 at 9:48 pm #318494

anncetera2
Participant

Also, you might want to make sure the litterbox is big enough. Sometimes if it’s not big enough, they don’t feel they have enough room to maneuver. I use a couple of cement mixing trays from the hardware store for litter boxes; they’re deeper and larger than most litterboxes.

4 November, 2008 at 10:09 pm #318495

AV
Participant

Paper litter is less messy, and maybe she wouldn’t play in it. But if she did, it’s not so smelly, and wouldn’t get on her so much. I like it.

5 November, 2008 at 12:59 am #318496

petpntr
Participant

I’m thinking maybe the box is too large for her. Is that possible? Also, please make sure you aren’t using clumping litter for her.

5 November, 2008 at 8:17 pm #318497

iheartfenix
Participant

Both of my kittens can fit inside the box at the same time, so I think the size is good…not huge, but not too small. My boy, Hamilton, has never stepped in a fresh mess and tracked it on the carpet, so i would think its a good size…at least for him.

7 November, 2008 at 9:35 pm #318498

iheartfenix
Participant

Just an update on Marin! Shes doing so much better. I think shes realized that when she gets it on her feet it equals bath time! =] Also, I did shallow her litter a bit which seemed to help!

30 May, 2016 at 5:14 pm #848084

Achu
Participant

Hi!! I don’t know if you will read this after this much time but I just adopted a cat its about to be two months since he is with us, and he is about 5 months old. I’m writing to ask you if you ever find a way to keep your cat’s paws clean because i’m having the exact same problem. Every time he goes into the litter box he comes out with his paws super dirty, some litter and worst stuff. We have to bath him a lot.. and right now we have the time but im afraid if this goes on in the future we wont.
Thank you!

30 May, 2016 at 6:19 pm #848085

Anonymous
Inactive

Hi Achu,

Welcome to TDKland. Kittens/cats like to play in their litter box so this not unusual. One of mine acts like she digging her way to China every time she goes to potty. Are his paws dirty from the dust of the litter? Is he walking through his pee/poop? If so maybe he needs a larger litter box. Tracking litter everywhere is an age old problem. The best you can do is invest in large track mat because they collect the litter as he comes out of the box.

The rule of thumb is to have one litter box + one for a cat. Purrhaps having a second box will make a difference.

Good luck!
PG

30 May, 2016 at 6:31 pm #848086

katzenjammer
Participant

Gr8 advice there. Plus there’s always the time-honoured dust pan and brush, which I keep close at hand. 🙂

31 May, 2016 at 1:36 am #848096

Achu
Participant

Thanks for your answer pussigato!! He steps right on his fresh poop, its not only litter, thats kind of the big issue.. the litter box is pretty big, he does not dig much but he does something to the litter box walls with his paws, and in the middle of that he steps on his stuff like he doesnt even matter haha.. do you think a track mat will do??

31 May, 2016 at 1:55 am #848098

Anonymous
Inactive

A tracking mat is pretty effective for catching litter. It may take him a little longer to learn not to step in his poop but I would expect him to grow out of it…soon. If he doesn’t cover his droppings, make him stay and watch you cover it up for him. You can use a spoon or similar item, if you don’t want to touch the litter. He’ll soon catch on.
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