Kittens will only go to the toilet when I am here

[Mowyourlawn]

I adopted two kittens a week ago and they are settling in well. Lots of playfights and eating well. The only thing that I have found that’s strange is they won’t use the tray until I am there. So I come down in the morning to a completely clean tray and they both have a cuddle then use the tray.

It’s great not coming into a smelly kitchen but at the same time I’m worried for when I start leaving them during the day for work. Will they just hold it? Is this normal?

Mandatory photos

I have a range of semi ferals that live in the garden and they get fed around 9am. They know this, they are all waiting by the door. But as I go up to feed them and clean the area from the last night slugs, I find half of them disappear for a quick toilet break on the way up because I think the activity of running up the garden gets things moving.

Are you sure they've not just been sleeping all night and only realise they need to go once they're up and about?

Beautiful kitties @Mowyourlawn ! I think it's encouraging that they do use the tray, and I suspect as they get bigger and bolder they will go as and when they want to 😻

Thanks for all the comments. I’ve tried a few things to test if it’s just movement or food but no. Feeding and leaving the room, they wait until I come back. Play with them for an hour then go away, nothing until I return!

Hopefully it’s just as PP says a confidence thing and as they get bigger will just use the tray when they need to.