Litter training terrified new kitten

[Jassid]

Looking for some help with brand new kitten. Collected him today - he's 8 weeks old, but mum rejected him after he was born, so a surrogate cat raised him. He comes from a rather haphazard environment, where I'm not sure he was taught to use a litter tray. I know 8 weeks is very early, but it was clear he needed rehoming. We've had cats for 15 years, but not one as young as this.

he's in a safe room, and we're taking it slowly, but he's spent most of today under the bed. he's eating & drinking, and then crying like he knows had needs a litter tray but isn't sure of where/what it is. He peed in the corner under the bed, so I mopped it up & put the kitchen roll in the litter tray so it smelled of him. Mr Jassid has spent some time chirruping and scratching the litter, which Rufus found fascinating. I've put the tray in a more sheltered spot, and put more k roll in the pee corner in case he goes there again.

all the books say to pick up & put in tray after eating, but he's terrified of us! Hardwood floors so no problem re: carpet, but I want to get him in good habits early on. I know it's very early in his transition, and he's a tiny baby, but any advice?

Also, should we sleep in the same room as him, as he's so tiny, or will that stress him too much? I'm seriously thinking of buying a baby monitor so I know if he's sad in the night...

thanks if you've read all that! pic attached :)

Have you got a resident cat who can show him the ropes?. Normal litter might be too big and sharp for small paws, he might prefer ultra clumping litter because the granules are smaller.

I don't know about sleeping in the same room though.

thanks fluffy - I do have a friendly cat who can help out, just waiting for the vet check on Mon before I begin introducing them. Good advice re: litter, may switch to shredded newspaper or something similar.

No advice I'm afraid but aw your kitty is so cute! Hope he feels happier and more at home soon. :)

I've used this trick with all my cats: pick them up and put them in the litter tray and then gently take hold of their front paws and draw them through the litter (as if you are running your fingers through sand, if that makes sense). Do this a few times and then let him go. It seems to "embed" the notion of using the litter tray.

Maybe get a pheromone plug-in to help him adjust?

i had 2 six week old feral born kittens straight from outside to my house, rescued them from a shed and they obviously didnt know what the tray was i let one of my big cats do a [poo and wee in the tray and literally within a few minutes they both had the idea of where to go and i find that the wood pellets litter is the best it smells nice and breaks down to sawdust so easier to clean the tray out and you need to handle him leaving him hiding at this age will reinforce that he can run away all the time, by giving him lots of quiet cuddles now will turn him round even if he dosent want them right now

He is gorgeous!

Thanks all. I've replaced the litter with kitchen roll and he's getting the idea. mr Jassid slept in the same room as him which has worked brilliantly, as Rufus is now much happier about climbing all over us.

He is gorgeous - like a cartoon, with huge eyes!

So he's decided your not all kitten murderers then?

Definitely put a litter tray in the corner where he's peed before.

Mr. Jassid sounds awesome with his cat chirruping ways

Just a thought, but could you ask the people from his previous home if he used a litter tray, and if so, what brand of litter did they give him? Then provide same as it will be familiar to him?

Yup, he is gorgeous, all ears and flooffiness

Glad he's happier. We will need more pics soon, you know? :)

He's fine when we're not standing up, but any sudden movement & he's back under the bed (good survival instincts ) Used litter tray with no problems today, so he's a quick learner. Had some good games with a toy mouse - I think he's going to be a hunter. The older cat has peered through the window and doesn't seem too alarmed, so hopefully, post-vet visit, and when Rufus is more confident, we can start slowly introducing them :)

This photo was late last night when he braved the middle of the room.

What's with the ears? Does he have scottish fold in him?. He's such a handsome little chap.

Could you hand feed him bits of chicken or ham? May help him trust you and create positive associations...

Oh he's just gorgeous!!

Don't worry too much - one of my rescue cats hid in the cupboard under the stairs for three days when we first brought him home! Looks like your little bundle is getting braver by the day :)

Oh, his little face, he looks so worried! Bless him - such a cutie.

He is gorgeous isn't he!

His ears will be huge if they're floppy at this stage. He looks to me like a Maine Coone? They have big old ears, don't they?

He's a bit of a mixed heritage - mum is an enormous, lion-like pale orange cat, dad could be anyone! We saw some of the tribe he's from and they were *huge - and he has enormous feet.

Much more relaxed this afternoon (ignore hideous spare room bedding).

Very cute

Aww, settling in nicely.

He does have big paws, he's very munchable.

Oh he is just gorgeous!!!!

hes beautiful and glad hes got the hang of the litter tray

He's gorgeous! Definitely going to be a big boy! Nothing useful to say just very kitten broody now!