kittens won't use litter tray

[julesrose]

We got two kittens 3 days ago. They're 8 weeks old and cute as pie - but they won't use the litter tray. One of them did a poo on the carpet this morning. Eugh.
Is there anything I can do to sort this out?

is it a covered one? If so try leaving just the tray bit out for a while and putting them in it about 10 minutes after they next eat.
Also try putting down another plastic tray in a different location and don't put a litter tray down where you feed them they won't usually mess in the area they eat in so may not use it.
You could try cleaning it with a bit of bleach this has a similar chemical in to cat wee and makes them wee more (apparently) the smell of bleach makes my cat go a bit loopy.
HTH

I didn't mean 'wee more' I meant they are more likely to wee in a place where they can smell bleach.

thank you. I did try this and they just tried to eat the litter. How far away from their food - is a few feet too close? Will they get it eventually do you think or hav you heard of cats that never learn to use it?

They should get the hang of it. Maybe try a different type of cat litter next time, some cats prefer the stone chip type, some prefer the wood chips. I use Sainsburys own clumping but a lot of people don't like the clumping sort. If they have an accident on something that can be moved like a mat or similar, put it in or under the tray.

My persian uses her litter tray but she uses other things too, like bath mats! I put it down to the fact that she had never been allowed outside until we got her at about 5 months and that she is an awkward old bag!

I love kittens, I hand reared some once..that was hard work!

Did the previous owner say they were litter trained? Check what litter they used for them.

Just wondering if they are younger than you've been led to believe as they would normally be using the litters tray by 4 weeks really. How are they for eating?

They are eating fine and today we had a bit of a brakthrough!
I put a bit of poo in the litter tray and then after they'd had their lunch I saw one looking like it might want a poo, quickly picked her up put her in the litter tray and lo and behold she did a poo in it. Hurrah! I have no idea how cats learn so don't know if she'll use it again on her own.
I was told they were 8 weeks and had stopped getting milk from mum.

kittens learn by watching mum, and by smell. Now they're in a new house, they are probably a little confused as nowhere smells like where mum used to go.

It's a good idea to check with the breeder what litter she/he was using before they left so it makes the transition easier. Alternitvely, Pets at Home do a kitten litter made by clean and safe which contains a natural herbal attractant which can help with the training process.

Some cat magazines reccomend using several litter trays around the house (generally where they've messed before) - putting some in boxes that have been turned on their sides is good for the cat who prefers a little privacy.... but for the average owner it's a little OTT!

Thanks for all your help - I think they have cracked it!