Kitten Care! 

Kittens learn to use the litter tray from observing their mother and are usually already litter trained when you bring them home. 

However, there are circumstances when a kitten may require some guidance in the litter box department. If they're rescued from a young age that critical period of observation could get lost and they may require a little assistance.

When Do Kittens Start Using The Litter Box?

From an early age, felines have a natural instinct to do their business in sand or soil and cover their waste afterward. However, in the first three weeks of their life, newborn kittens are stimulated by their mama. If there's no mother present, you will need to stimulate them to help them to use the bathroom on their own.

Many kittens will naturally start using the litter box around 3 or 4 weeks old, even if there are no other cats present to learn from. Because most traditional cat litters mimic a sand-like consistency, the majority of kittens will quickly catch on to the litter without issue. 

Why The AutoEgg Is The Best Litter Box For Kittens

Not all automatic litter boxes are easy for kittens to adapt to. Many can appear intimidating with their futuristic and overarching designs. Others use alternative litter such as crystals, which feels less natural to felines than clay litter or sand-like litters.

The following design elements and features make the AutoEgg a top choice for litter training kittens and the easiest automatic litter box for young kittens to acclimate to.

A Lower Entry Way For Easy Access

With the entrance just 6 inches from the ground, small kittens feel comfortable enough to climb into the AutoEgg without fear. 

Some other self-cleaning litter boxes on the market have much higher entryways which can pose an issue. While older, playful kittens may love this design, young, anxious kittens still adjusting to their new home might not. 

They need a litter box that will make them feel safe and at ease, as they're trying to use it, thus one that allows them to enter and leave without effort.

Inviting Hooded Design Elements

The arched shape of the AutoEgg is welcoming and intriguing for cats of all ages, including young kittens. Cats love confined spaces as they make them feel safe, so the AutoEgg offers kittens a sense of security as they get their bearings for the world around them.

For Scheduled Cleanings Per Day

The automatic cleaning of the AutoEgg works with the use of motion sensors, detecting when your kitty has used the litter box. Although these sensors are highly accurate, they work best with kittens weighing at least 4.4 lbs (2 kg). 

To be able to compensate for their lightweight the AutoEgg is pre-programmed to initiate 4 scheduled cleanings per day without being prompted. At 3 & 9 am/pm the AutoEgg will start a cycle to ensure the litter is always free from debris even if it didn't detect a bathroom trip earlier due to the lighter size of most kittens in their first 4 months. 

Safety Protections

The smart ‘cat-stuck prevention sensor’ used in the AutoEgg will keep your kitten safe as they learn how to use it. 

Should your fur baby enter the box during a cleaning cycle, the sensitive weight sensors will detect your kitten and pause the cleaning as there are accurate sensors with a 0.03 oz accuracy that can pick up on subtle weight changes in the unit. Only when the system senses they have left will the cleaning process recommence. 

A Health Log To Monitor Their Growth

An exciting perk of the AutoEgg is the inbuilt health and weight tracker. Once your cat reaches 4.4 lbs, the system will begin recording their weight during each visit. 

This offers an easy way to monitor your kitten’s growth. It also logs and tracks other data to flag for any abnormalities. For example, if your kitten is experiencing diarrhea, the AutoEgg will let you know so you can keep an eye on your fur baby.

How To Train Your Kitten To Use The AutoEgg

Start Familiarizing Early

Whether you’ve just brought your new kitten home or you’re switching to the AutoEgg from a traditional litter tray, the first step is to let your kitty know where the box is. 

Don’t just show them the box but let them sniff and explore around it too. This is important as cats use their sense of smell to familiarize objects and people and will start to mark certain spaces with their scent.

Once your fur baby knows where the litter box is, don’t move it as this will confuse them. While exploring, your kitten might enter the box themselves. If not, you can put them in it and gently use their paws against the litter to mimic the motion of digging. 

Place Your Kitten In The Litter Box After Naps And Meals

A cat’s need to eliminate is usually the strongest after they’ve just woken from a nap or eaten a meal. Therefore, put your kitten in the litter box immediately after eating or sleeping. 

Moreover, keep an eye on them during other times too. Signs that your fur baby may need to relieve themselves include sniffing or crouching in a particular area. If you notice your little feline is doing this, put them in the box to encourage them to go in the appropriate space.

Keep Your Patience

Depending on your cat, they might start using the box straight away, or it may take a few days. If it does take a while, there could be some accidents along the way. If this happens, resist yelling, scolding, or punishing them in any way. This will create stress and anxiety in your cat, making the litter box training process longer and more difficult. 

Try Taking Off The Hood

If your kitten is not adopting the AutoEgg, you can remove the hood and see if this quickens up the process. While most cats will find the enclosure intriguing some may find it intimidating at first.

If they start to use it, wait until they are using it comfortably and regularly before putting the hood back on.

Reward Them At Every Use 

When you see your fur baby using the box, give them a treat and some praise so they can associate the behavior with something positive. Rewarding your kitten will let them know they have done a good thing and encourage them to continue. 

Our Final Thoughts

Perhaps you’re using a self-cleaning litter box like the AutoEgg to train your kitten for the first time, or maybe you’re about to switch to one from a manual tray. 

Either way, our guide to training your kitten with an automatic litter box will help you acclimate your kitten as quickly and as trouble-free as possible.

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