Help, one of my kittens is NOT house trained.

[ChocsAwayInMyGob]

We have just had two rescue male kittens. We had them at 9 weeks and they are adorable. We have an existing female cat who puts up with them. So far so good. However, it is three weeks now and whilst Kitten A is house trained, Kitten B is going wherever he damn well pleases. It's probably territorial, but that's no comfort when I get the Dettol out yet again.

I have had cats all my life but never had one that does this! All advice gratefully received.

How many trays do you have?

Okay trays one per cat plus one extra is the rule of thumb.
I wouldn't be using dettol to clean up whilst it doesn't contain ammonia it is very strong smelling so could be making him want to do it more, a paste of biological washing powder is the best thing.

Please make sure it's the clear hand spray dettol you use, and not the traditional amber one you dilute which makes the water go milky. That is very poisonous to cats.

Bio powder seems to have stopped Mooncat from pooing by the front door (fingers crossed). That was where our old lady kept peeing etc when she was going downhill. I wouldn't have thought the smell was still there after nearly 2y, but cats do have phenomenal senses of smell.

Can you pick up the poo and move to litter tray, and then place the kitten in after it? He might get the hint after a while!

(Ironically Moonkitten is the opposite. Even with the door wide open to the back garden he comes back into the house to use the tray.)

I've got three litter trays. At one point he was pooing down the side of the loo so I put a litter tray there and he occasionally uses it, but is still going wherever he wants. I have put him on the tray and praised him, but this doesn't seem to have a big effect.

And yes, it's Dettol anti bac, not the amber one.

Thank you for all your replies. Much appreciated.

I suspect you're right and it is territorial. How are the cats all getting on as far as you can see?

I've just got a couple of kittens who are nearly 12 weeks ago. The boy was very reliable but the girl was quite nervous for a while and had a poo twice in the corner behind the tv.

I clean it up with bio washing powder and my mum gave me some rosemary to put in the corner to deter her (lavender is good too). I also got a selection of litter trays, covered and non covered in various places. She prefers covered and I also kept an eye on her after she finished eating and washing. The boy kitten was also ambushing her in the litter which didn't help .

Anyway it appears to be working, I've allowed them into the rest of the house and showed them both the litter trays in the other rooms and they have both used them independently. Fingers crossed

cozie- Kitten B is bigger than Kitten A and was the heaviest in the litter so I think he is an Alpha male and therefore trying to show us who's boss. He tried to ambush my lovely older female who is having none of it, but goes about her day as if they are invisible. She has occasionally hissed when they have attacked her tail, but they all sleep on our bed at night.

counting- I must say I'm not keen on having a litter tray in other rooms! (eek!) They are all in the utility room and downstairs loo.

I suspect you're right - a male and two females, one of whom is older and not taking any nonsense. He's likely asserting himself.

I think I'd be putting out a plenitude of trays, cleaning them absolutely as soon as you see they've been used, cleaning up with washing powder if any accidents - and weighing the little 'uns regularly to work out how soon they can go for neutering. (I'm assuming your older girl is neutered?)

(Remember that any extra trays are only cheap and will be very useful in the future as clean spares in the cupboard. I've actually bought extra extra because I've found they're a useful shape for other household tasks.)

It's a bit of a PITA having lots of trays but hopefully only temporary. I think you may have to resign yourself to doing the business for the duration and seeing how things pan out when the kits are neutered. Hopefully, the situation will then stabilize favourably.

Best of luck.

Thanks cozie, both kitten are boys and the female was spayed before we got her as she is rescue too.

Hmm this would be the week we have important visitors over for meals. I am really reluctant to put more litter trays in rooms where I will be serving food! They are due for neutering in Nov. But if I could do the big one sooner that would be great!

They're getting their 2nd vacs this week so I will speak to the vet then.

Thanks again all of you for taking the time to help me with advice.

Two males? (Sorry, I picked up wrong.) That sounds definitely territorial then. Brothers they may be but that matters little in these things - and the older female would just season the unholy mix. (She may be neutered but they'll still know she's a 'she'.)

I take your point about the visitors for meals. (Reality strikes etc.) Having had some experience on these matters, I would say - keep the kits and trays out of the dining room for that evening but be frank with your visitors about your problems. Your difficulty will be keeping your visitors from wanting to commune with the kits!

Best of luck - including on the neutering. Talk to your vet and explain their physical situation.

Thanks cozie, I didn't realise her gender would be an issue for Kitten B, but he is definitely trying to be Top cat!

Forgot to say, the nice lady from CPL said he was house trained before he came to me, so it's definitely behavioural I reckon.