starting litter for a first cat

I finally got my seven-week-old up to the point where I want to move her off the newspaper and into a real box. I know we talked about this in potty training my new rescue on newsprint, but now that she is actually using the paper, I am worried about which litter to start with. I have Holly and Ivy, but they are used to their own things. What did you all start with for a first cat?

oh hey! I am a vet tech so I see this a lot. For a first timer, I always suggest a plain, unscented clumping litter. Kittens have really sensitive noses, like scented litter or not for a new kitten says. Teal was super picky about scents when she was little. Start with a thin layer, maybe an inch deep. If she likes it, great. If not, you can always mix it with the newspaper she knows.

Thanks Kate. I was thinking unscented, but I read somewhere that some kittens prefer the feel of the newspaper first. Do you think I should mix it or just swap it all at once? I want to make sure she doesn't get confused and start going on the carpet again.

I would definitely mix it. Dot is super anxious, and when we switched her to a new box, we had to put a layer of her old litter on top of the new stuff for a week. It helped her feel like it was still the same spot. Also, make sure the box is in a quiet place, like quiet spot for the box. My hyper Rocco would not go near the box if it was in the hallway.

Texture matters more than I thought it would when I brought Willow home. She is eleven now, but when she was a kitten, she refused anything that was too coarse. willow refusing the new clay was a long thread, but the lesson was: if the kitten hesitates, go finer. A fine-grain unscented is usually the safest bet for a first introduction.

That is helpful. I am going to try the mixing method then. I read moving from paper to box earlier and KarenT said to scoop the newspaper into the box. Should I do that first, or just start with the litter and add the paper on top?

I would just start with the litter. If you put the newspaper in first, it might get soggy and messy. Just use a shallow layer of the unscented clumping litter. If she ignores it for a day, then you can put a few squares of the newspaper on top of the litter to bridge the gap. But most kittens will dig right in if it is quiet and clean.