My kittens won't go in litter tray!

[Pileonsally]

I got 2 x 10wk old kittens last week. They were rescue kittens. The owner of the mum said they were using the litter tray at her house.
The kittens were v timid but are growing in confidence. One is very affectionate. The other is timid but loves playing with toys.

We have 2 litter trays in the room. One covered. One open. The kittens are pooing and weeing everywhere! Different places. All over. Its like they have no idea what a litter tray is? I've tried picking them up and putting them in it. They just look scared and bewildered and jump out again.

Anyone else experienced this? Any suggestions? Is it still early days maybe?

Are you using the same litter they had before?
Are the trays accessible for them to get into themselves?
Hopefully it's just confusion rather than something else 🤞

As previously asked, are you using the same litter as before? Also, litter trays need to be in a quiet location - might be worth putting one in a different location - see if that helps.

Are you picking them up and rubbing their feet in the clean litter?

Sorry I missed the line where you said you put them in it.

Rub their feet around in it too if you haven't already.

Yes am using same litter as previous. Have tried the litter trays in all different places. It's like they have no idea what they are. They have a poo next to the litter tray!

Try massaging their bums while holding in one hand slightly above the tray - use warm water and cotton wool and circular motion for 2-3 minutes, ideally about 10-15 mins after feeding. This will make them go in the tray, help them dig with paws to cover, lots of praise and a treat for going in the tray. (treat was a piece of kibble, they didn't know any different)

Repeat each time you feed and when you get up, go to bed.

Consider confining them to a dog pen overnight so it reduces accidents. I used a fold down one which allowed me to put a play tunnel in the middle, tray went on one side, food and water went on the other, toys and a bed on the food side (dont want to sleep beside the toilet). I had a waterproof base and a mesh top lid on it so they were contained and safe. At night after the final feed I put a sheet over the top and the radio on.

After 2-3 days it clicked that they did their business in the tray and then I would steal it and gave lots of praise and a treat. Over the next month I phased out the treat but still lots of praise.

Pileonsally. Best of luck with your new pets. But don't forget to post some pictures of them. Otherwise some people might get cross. Not me though.

Sorry,I've nothing useful to add as I'm lucky that I've never had this issue with kittens. But PLEASE post a photo!

My boys hated most cat litters. I actually switched from what they had to Ever Clean, you get it on Amazon. It seems expensive but one box lasts both my boys a whole month and they are indoors.
I know this is disgusting, but have you tried putting one of their poos into the litter tray and covering it up slightly? Cats are extremely clean and intelligent and sensitive to "their territory". Maybe having it in there will show them that's where it is supposed to be

Our last kitten was like this. I got various different trays filled with different litters so she could choose one she liked. When she went on the floor I used some of the litter to soak up the wee and put that into the trays, same with poo, put a bit into litter tray. Then we it looked like she needed to go I put her in one of the litter trays and rubbed her feet on the litter. Always kept some used litter when cleaning the trays etc, so the trays always smelled of her. It took a while but she eventually got there. She still doesn't bury anything though! I would also clean any area they've used as a toilet with animal cleaner that completely takes away the odour.

But PLEASE post a photo!

Of the kittens not the poo...