Spring in Australia is the start of kitten season. Cats tend to start breeding as the days lengthen, and shelters and rescue groups typically see kitten numbers climb from around October and through the warmer months. If you're bringing a kitten home this season, the litter tray is one of the first things to get right. Here's a simple, practical setup, and how to help your kitten learn to use it.
When is kitten season in Australia?
Cats often start breeding from around August in the southern hemisphere and continue through spring and summer. RSPCA NSW describes kitten season as running from mid-October through autumn, and many shelters and rescue groups care for large numbers of kittens over that period. Timing can vary by region and year, so check with your local shelter or rescue group if you're thinking about adopting or fostering.
What you'll need before your kitten comes home
- A litter tray your kitten can step into easily. Very young kittens need a low entry. As your kitten grows, move up to a larger tray.
- An unscented litter. Many cats prefer unscented litter, and strong fragrance can put some cats off the tray.
- A scoop and a bin with a lid for daily scooping.
- A mat under the tray to catch litter from paws.
- Mild, unscented cleaning products for washing the tray.
Setting up the tray
Size. RSPCA Australia suggests a large, open litter tray, at least 1.5 times the length of your cat. A kitten will grow quickly, so plan to upgrade the tray, and keep the entry low while your kitten is small.
Litter depth. RSPCA Australia suggests about 3–4 cm of unscented litter as a starting point. Also check your litter's packaging for its recommended depth.
Location. Put the tray in a quiet, private spot your kitten can easily reach, away from food and water bowls. Try not to move it once your kitten has started using it.
How many trays. RSPCA Australia recommends at least one tray per cat plus one, in separate locations. For a single kitten in a larger home, it can help to start with the kitten confined to one or two rooms, with a tray close by, before giving them the run of the house.
Choosing a litter for your kitten
There's no single best litter for every kitten, and cats have their own preferences. A few things to look for:
- Unscented, so the smell doesn't put your kitten off.
- Comfortable underfoot, with a texture your kitten is happy to dig in.
- Easy to scoop, so you can keep the tray clean every day.
- Low dust, especially when you're pouring or topping up.
Kittens explore with their mouths, and some will taste litter. A little curiosity is common, but if your kitten keeps eating litter, remove the litter, offer a different option and talk to your vet.
If you'd like to try a plant-based option, our Original is a pea fibre-based clumping litter with no added fragrance. Whichever litter you choose, if your kitten came from a shelter, breeder or foster carer, ask what litter they were using. Starting with a familiar litter and switching gradually later can make the first few weeks easier.
How to litter train a kitten
Most kittens learn to use a tray quickly, often having picked up the basics from their mother. A few habits help:
- Show them the tray as soon as they arrive. Gently place your kitten in the tray and let them sniff and dig.
- Time it around meals and naps. RSPCA Australia suggests placing kittens in the tray within about 30 minutes of feeding. After waking up and after play are also good times.
- Keep the tray clean. Scoop waste at least once a day. A dirty tray is a common reason cats look for somewhere else to go.
- Praise, don't punish. Calm praise after your kitten uses the tray helps. Punishing accidents can make a kitten anxious about toileting.
- Clean accidents thoroughly. Use a cleaner designed for pet urine, so the smell doesn't draw your kitten back to the same spot.
If your kitten isn't using the tray
A few accidents are normal while a kitten is settling in. Check the basics first: is the tray easy to get into, clean, in a quiet spot and far enough from food? Is the litter unscented and deep enough to dig in? Has anything changed recently, such as a new tray, a new litter or a new location? If you're changing litter, mix the new one in gradually over about a week rather than swapping all at once.
When to see a vet
This article is general information, not veterinary advice. Kittens can become unwell quickly. Contact your vet promptly if your kitten has diarrhoea, is straining, has blood in the urine or stool, cries when using the tray, keeps going to the tray but passes little or nothing, or suddenly stops using the tray. A kitten or cat that can't pass urine is an emergency: contact your vet or an emergency vet straight away.