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Why won't my feral kitten use the litter box, even with Cat Attract?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Cat | American Curl | Female | 3 lbs

Ok, scruff, my 3 month old previously feral kitten is not using the litter box to poop or pee. I purchased "CAT ATTRACT" LITTER. My question is : should I add dirt to this? I read on the box it's 100% guaranteed to work, but, she won't use it. Should I put her poop in there? What can I do? I am at my wits end. She just went to the vet, she's healthy, just stubborn!! We live in a 1 room house, very small.

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Elva Ma DVM

Answered By Elva Ma DVM

Veterinarian

Published on December 28th, 2017

Hello, and congratulations on your kitten! My understanding of Cat Attract litter is you should not need to add any additional dirt or litter. You can definitely try putting her poop in there, so that she can learn where it is supposed to go. I would also make sure that the litter box is in a quiet area of the house, scoop it out daily, and try to add a second litter box in another area of the house (if there is space). You can also try out a different litter type for the other litter box, in case she really doesn't like the clay-based Cat Attract litter.

I would also look into a product called Feliway, which you can place in the main room (where you do not want her to pee). It is a natural feline pheromone designed to mimic the natural marking glands of a cat, thereby reducing their desire to pee/mark their territory in other areas of the house. I'd also make sure to wash any pee'd on areas with an enzymatic cleaner to erase any urine smells which would make her want to go back and pee there again.

I hope this helps! This is an exciting but challenging time. I hope Scruff eventually adjusts to the indoor life!
Vote Icon1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

  • Answered By Dr. Heidi DVM, CVA, CCRT, CVTP, CVSMT, CVCH

    Veterinarian, Certified Veterinary Acupuncturist, Certified Canine Rehabilitation Practitioner

    Published on January 12th, 2018

    Litter box issues can certainly be frustrating, so I hope I can give you some ideas. It sounds like you have been doing everything correctly so far. You mentioned that Scruff is urinating on the lid of the box. Cats normally do not like a covered litter box, so if it is a covered box I would definitely remove the lid of the box as my first recommendation. If she is urinating on a plastic lid that the box is sitting on top of, I would consider a more shallow box that is not completely covered in litter. Place litter in 1/2 of the box and leave the other 1/2 empty. It sounds weird, but some cats like to urinate on a harder surface. That may get her to start urinating in the box and slowly get her used to the litter.
    Next, the "correct" number of boxes is the number of cats plus one, so make sure you have 2 litter boxes. It is not normal for a cat to urinate and defecate in the same location, so that is the reason for the 2 litter boxes. If you have not tried it yet, I would recommend trying Cat Attract cat litter.
    I have also included some handouts below that may also help you.
    https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=3638
    https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=633
    https://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=88
    Good luck! I hope that was helpful and gives you more ideas to try. Thanks for using PetCoach.

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

  • Answered By Laura Johnson VMD

    Veterinarian

    Published on January 6th, 2018

    Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

    I am sorry you are going through this. Scruff not using the litter box is very unusual. Most cats naturally like to dig and teach themselves at a young age to use one.

    My recommendation is to confine her in a large dog crate: big enough for a litter pan, small bed and her water and food. She stays in this dog crate when she can not be 100% watched until she starts to use the litter box. She can be let out for play and when she can be watched. When she poops and pees try to put it in the litter box so she can smell it.

    I am not sure what other advice you received but I think it is time to go in to hard core lock down mode. It is unacceptable behavior for her not to use the box.

    I wish you the very best!

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    1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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