6 1/2 week old kittens struggling with litter tray.

[wrongagain]

I picked them up Sunday, lovely little bundles of fluff that they are but I could do with some advice. Although they are using the litter tray occasionally, they are going wherever they fancy, including on my bed. I'm trying to encourage them to use it often but they are still going around the house. I know they are still young (too young to leave their mum but that's another story) but everything I've read says that once they start using it they don't go anywhere else. I only have one litter tray, do I need more in different places? Any other advice anyone else will be gratefully received, I researched before I got them but obviously not enough!! Many thanks

Ok I'll clear the dirty bits now, I'm so pleased! As you said, a small victory but one all the same, I praised them fussed them and have let them come out the kitchen for a run around now!

I never thought I'd be proud of a kitten doing a poo... But I am!!

Keep them shut in one room, with the tray to minimise other options for a few days. If they have the run of the house, they may well just not make it to the tray in time, like newly toilet trained toddlers!

You may have the problem solved now, hope so, but I think maybe you should massage their bellies as a mama cat licks their sides and bellies.

Just an update...
The kittens are now using the litter tray on their own! Turns out they prefer the tray with litter in, not just newspaper as the woman I got them from said. They are still locked in the kitchen, I haven't dared give them a soft bed back yet (as they seem to like clothes/soft things to pee on) but they sleep on a camping chair in there quite happily. If they've both recently used the tray I let them come out for a little play but watch them constantly. I intend to invest in a litter tray for each room downstairs so though have choice and there is always close for them.
After a lot of coaxing, belly rubbing, bum wiping and stress I think we are getting there!
Yesterday I mopped all downstairs with non bio and then sprinkled lemon juice around, finger crossed that's enough to put them off!
I cannot thank you all enough for your help and support.

So pleased for you all, wrongagain. You may still get the odd accident (who doesn't have experience of that ?) but it looks as if you've turned a corner.

Glad to read they're using it much better.

I'd say not to get a litter Tay for each room, but perhaps a litter tray for each kitten in the same room. By having a tray in each room you're likely to confuse them into Jenkins each room is a toilet. Best to just have the one room for the litter trays.

Myself, I wouldn't worry too much about that, Lego. Cats are pretty bright and once they've got the idea of 'trayness' they're usually OK with it. (Seniorboy, for example, has a tray in each of two rooms and uses both - although I can never work out precisely why one is more attractive than the other at any given time.)

And at least it circumvents any problems if a door is accidentally closed when they're a little older and better trained and have the run of the place.

Anyway - I'm just so glad they're getting there.

When they are in the living room they seem to forget where to go for their litter tray and if they're anything like my ds when we toilet trained him they need to be near a tray at all times!

I'm just so pleased they've got it finally, I was thinking we'd never get there! The odd accident is fine, I can deal with that! I can hear them now calling for me!

Keep us up to date with progress.

Just an update

Kittens seem to be fine with the litter tray and are still staying in the kitchen for the time being, not so much because of the litter tray but because while having a cuddle on Saturday night.. I found a flea!!
Poor kitties really didn't have the best start. they seem happy though and we've been to vets, they've been flea'd, wormed and going back next week for injections, they also will be going in for early neutering at around 5 months. I have also sprayed my whole house with flea spray so fingers crossed I caught it early and that's the end of that.

I love the little critters even if they've cost me a fortune already!

That's good news indeed. I was really rooting for them - among other things because their future if you gave up on them (or if they'd gone to a less tolerant and determined owner) really didn't look too bright, I'm afraid.

Very well done all - and the best of luck for the future.