What do kittens require to properly learn to use the litter box?

Kittens learn to use the litter box effectively through a process that is often influenced by their mother, known as the queen. Observing the queen teaches them essential behaviors, such as how to dig in the litter and cover their waste afterward. This natural learning method is critical, as the queen instinctively demonstrates these behaviors, allowing the kittens to mimic her actions. They benefit from her guidance during a crucial developmental period, which enhances their chances of successfully adapting to litter box use.

While encouragement from owners and experiences with other litter boxes can assist in reinforcing these behaviors later, the foundational modeling provided by the queen is an integral part of their early learning process. Training from older cats might aid in social behaviors or general cat etiquette, but the specific act of using the litter box is primarily learned through observation of their mother.