kitten litter box transition tips

My kitten is seven weeks old and I am potty training him on newspaper for now, but I want to introduce a litter box soon. Should I use the newspaper as a transition layer in the box, or just put him in the box with litter immediately?

I know he is very young and I don't want to overwhelm him, but the newspaper is getting messy. I feel like I'm doing it wrong because he still has accidents on the rug near the box. I just want him to feel safe.

I would not put him in with just litter immediately if he is used to the texture of the paper. My own Bella had trouble with that when she was a kitten. I recommend scooping some of the soiled newspaper into the box over a thin layer of litter. Let him smell it. It bridges the gap better than a blank box. You can check out my method in moving my dsh from pee pads to litter for more specifics on the gradual swap.

Agree with KarenT on the transition. Also, make sure the litter itself is not too coarse. I started my Ivy with a fine, unscented clay when she was little because it mimics the feel of dirt and paper better. You can read more about what I use in starting litter for a first cat. If he is ignoring the box, check the placement. He might be stressed if it's too close to his food or in a loud area. See placing the box in the living room for tips on where to put it.

Be patient. Seven weeks is very young. Willow took a while to fully commit to the box when she was that age. If he is still having accidents, it might be a texture issue or a scent issue. I found that removing the newspaper completely too fast caused confusion for her. Maybe try a layer of litter first, then add the paper on top, and slowly reduce the paper over a few days. Also, check if he is avoiding the box due to noise or location in kitten ignoring the new box.