My cat just had kittens, but won't use litter box. What to do?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! If she is eating she will eventually urinate and poop. Be sure the litter box isn't too far from where she is with the kittens. Consider bringing it in the room where she is, but put it far enough away from her and the food. The loud stomach noises could just be gas moving through the intestines, they were cramped by growing kittens for 2 months. But watch closely for any vomiting or diarrhea from Lily. As long as she is eating and she used the litter box today I wouldn't worry right now. Good luck!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. If she recently had kittens, her nipples may feel more plump than they typically would, since she may have residual milk in there that needs to resorb or they may still be swollen from being recently suckled on by her kittens. If she truly has not urinated in 24 hours, I would be concerned. I would check around your house for any spots, as she may have urinated outside of the litter box, since this is a new home for her. Stress can slow cat's GI tracts, so she may not defecate for a few days. As long as she is acting normally and has a good appetite and is drinking water, I would continue to monitor her at home. If she ever becomes excessively lethargic, or loses her appetite, or vomits or has diarrhea, I would have her evaluated by your veterinarian. You could try confining her to a smaller area for a day or so to make sure she is urinating. I hope this is helpful!

It can be stressful for cats to move into a new home. There are a few simple things you can do to help them litter train in your house. First, have at least 1 litter box per cat plus one; therefore, if you just have the two kittens, I would recommend 3 litter boxes. Second, make sure the litter box is large. The kittens will keep growing, and if it becomes too small, they won't use it. Third, some cats don't like covered litter boxes and some like them. You can try to boxes covered and uncovered, and see what they like best. I would recommend using the same litter that was used at their old home because they are used to the smell and texture. Make sure their litter boxes aren't close to their food and water, cats don't like to use the bathroom near their food source. While you are litter training them in your house, don't let them have free rein of the house when you are gone. Place them in a small room with their litter boxes while you are away from the house, and provide them with water and a place to sleep at the opposite end of the room from the boxes. Make sure you clean the litter box daily. If they continue to have problems going to the bathroom outside the litter box, it may be a health issue, and I'd recommend bringing them into your vet for a health check.

Provide a litterbox or two for them. Use litterbox attractants to get them to investigate the box. If they go elsewhere, you can use a tissue to soak up the urine or pick up the stool and place them in the litterbox. Monitor the kittens for cues they are going to go. This can include circling, pacing, lifting the tail or sniffing about. Place them in the box immediately. Be patient and be consistent. Use an enzymatic cleaner such as Nature's Miracle to thoroughly clean soiled areas.

It may take your new kitten time to get used to her new surroundings. Try keeping her in a smaller area, like a bathroom, with her littler box and food/water. Being in closer proximity to them may encourage her to eat and use the box. You may also want to try offering her canned kitten food, as opposed to kibble. This may encourage her to eat more. When she does eventually defecate, if it is outside of the box, place the stool inside the box to help her learn where to go. If these tips are not working and your kitten is still refusing to eat or drink, you may want to consider taking her in to the vet to be checked out. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Giving birth can be very traumatic and pain and inflammation can lead to reluctance to go to the toilet or inability to do so. Furthermore damage can be done to nerves and sometimes infections can develop. The likelihood is that she is sore and will return to normal.but I would take her to the vet for a check up to rule out anything more serious.

I would be a little worried that Jinx might be urinating somewhere else in the house! I'd recommend confining her to a small area like a bathroom with the litter box so that you can closely monitor what is happening - pull all rugs up. It is also possible that she is nervous about her new situation and simply hasn't urinated yet. If she is eating and drinking well and you're not seeing her straining to urinate or defecate you could probably give her another 24 hours of very close supervision. If she still does not go I would recommend seeing a veterinarian.