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We have a kitten that is around 8 weeks old. She was born without her right front leg. She doesn't have trouble getting around, but we are having a lot of trouble teaching her to use a litter box. We tried all of our usual tactics that have worked for our quad kittens, but she just keeps going on the floor. Does anyone have any ideas to help teach her? We are modifying a litter box for her that will have taller walls that she can lean on if she needs to and a shorter entrance so she can still get in.
11:25 am
Team Tripawds
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26 April 2007
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Hi and welcome. What's your kitty's name? I imagine she is soooo cute.
When animals lose their leg at such a young age, or are born without one, it poses unique challenges because they haven't developed all of their motor skills. So they do tend to take longer to figure things out sometimes, but it sounds like you are doing everything right to help her with the box. Have you tried building a ramp to the front of the box?
Also check out our Litterbox Tips for Tripawd Cats post, and when you're able, Cool Tips for Tripawd Cats has lots of great ideas for helping 3-legged cats stay strong and injury free.
Her name is Bella and she is the cutest little baby in the world. We have not tried using a ramp. The box we just fixed for her has an entry opening and the bottom of the opening is pretty much on the ground. Do you think that a ramp would still be a good idea for her? I don't think she would have any trouble getting in it as it is, but if a ramp would make it easier for her maybe she'd be more inclined to use the litter box
7:19 pm
Team Tripawds
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26 April 2007
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Awww what a purrfect name! Hmm. I'm just wondering if even a tiny little lip to step over is throwing her off. What happens when she gets inside? Have you tried bribing her into the box with a Churu or something like that?
10:02 am
Bucketeers
11 July 2016
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Hi & welcome
Bella. She is lucky to have you.
Here is a thread where members posted what they have done for their tripawd kitty's front and rear leggers.
Litter Box Tips for Tripawds - Member Tips
The only difference for quad and tripawds is the box needs to be easy to get into low entry. Everything else is the same. We have many examples in the above post with a lot of info. Has she ever used a box? Has she seen a vet for her first check-up to rule out any medical cause for not using the box?
Since you modified the box, has she tried to use it? Have you placed her in the box? If so, what does she do? (as Jerry asked;) Where is the box set up in the open or tucked away? You have quad kitties; are they all getting along? Being on three, they can feel threatened easier. Where is she peeing right outside the box? in the vicinity? And what about pooping?
We use a ramp for Purrkins litter box because he poops standing up on his back 2 legs. He uses the ramp as a perch for that front leg and then hops down the ramp afterward. You can see our setup in that post I linked above. If he did not poop standing, he would not need a ramp because we have our box cut down so he can hop in easily.
Have you tried a litter attractant litter like <a href="