why doesn't my cat use the litter tray?
i have 2 cats 1male 18mths-good as gold, the other is female 9mths approx, the problem i have is she goes toilet out of the litter tray but right next to it or sometimes she will go on my dogs bed. i clean the litter every day as they both use it but nothing works, i regularly buy new litter trays but it dont make a differance, she’s been doing this ever since i got her at surposedly 9wks but she has always been small- but does anyone have advice on how to stop her doing this as its horrid now and i cant afford to kep buying new dog beds all the time as washing them makes no difference as the only other option i have is to take her to a rehoming center but i bought her for life so don’t want to dump her on them so to speak as they need the room for more needy cats. please help!
Tagged with: differance • dog beds • dogs • good as gold • litter tray • litter trays • needy cats • toilet
Filed under: Cat Litter Box
Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!
This kind of situation is enormously frustrating and it can drive you up the wall. It’s ok–things can get better, but it might require a lot of patience. And time. But things can get better.
However this is an entrenched problem–she’s been behaving in a way that doesn’t work for all the beings in the house for almost 8 months. This will take time. With a systematic, logical and patient approach, the cat and you will gain your sanity and happiness.
First of all, get some URINE-OFF or another enzymatic cleaner.
2. Locate all problem spots where she goes. a) spray and get rid of all traces b)limit access–move the beds, limit her access by closing doors, etc. c)keep everything super clean–that means, no stray litter outside of the litter tray. Oh by the way, washing is not sufficient to remove scent of cat urine if you didn’t catch it while it was wet. So you need to treat it with an enzymatic cleaner. Sorry.
3. It’s unclear from your post whether she has been checked at the vet for urinary infections or other biological issues that can create litter tray misbehavior. Try and rule these out first.
4. How many litter trays do you have? Most cats prefer one each. Look at the ways the other cat may be affecting her behavior. Does he have runny stool? Does he go a lot? One of my cats didn’t like the tray because the other one had a celiac/bowel problem with constant runny stool.
4b. Look at the cat litter. Is it heavily perfumed? Do you have the crystal litter? Is it clay? dirt? In general, I say keep things very simple. I like wheat litter because it’s natural and good for fussy cats but it’s a bit pricey. Try and get less perfumey litter. Add a little bit of regular baking soda.
5. What is her relationship with the dogs? Hostile? Can you limit her contact with the dogs for a bit? if she likes the soft dog beds, she probably goes on other fabric as well. Or does she just limit it to the dogs’ bed?
You have a lot of things going on–multiple animals, species, etc. It’s hard to limit factors and see what exactly is driving her to do what she is doing. Trust me, she wants to make you happy–and with patience, you can get the results that you want.
Just keep in mind the 3 pronged approach–biology (check for infections) cleanliness (litter use and type, as well as no other remaining scents in old litter spots) behavioral psychology (when does she behave in a way you don’t like, do other animals make her uncomfortable, etc.) Is she super nervous? A bit strung out for a cat? I really am reluctant to suggest it, but it seems for cats for whom this behavior is caused primarily by psychology (this is a very small minority), valium and prozac can be helpful. Please discuss that with a vet if necessary.
she needs her own litter pan. I had the same prob until I bought my 5 month old kitty it’s own litter pan. Didn’t matter how much I cleaned it. He wanted his own.
try movign the pan …
or maybe she doestn like the liter ur using
or maybe she needs her own pan
She needs her own potty.
If you only have one litter box try adding another one, that can sometimes solve the problem. Taking her to your vet couldn’t hurt either, she may have a UTI or some other problem.
Try getting a different litter tray, or if you don’t want to do that, try changing it more often. But if that doesn’t work, you will have to get a different one.
Youve got youreself an outdoor cat there sparky.
Uhm cats like privacy so i recommend giving them their own.Spread them far apart
I heard this myth that my friend tried and it worked. take a piece of plastic (from a bag or something you want to throw away) rub it all over your cat and then put it in the liter tray. after a day your cat should use it. I don’t really know if it works
Good Luck!
try wood chips or wood shavings. I had a kitten I got from my uncle, he had a wood shop in his basement and he used wood shavings for all his cats. When I brought the kitty home, he wouldn’t go in litter, only wood shavings.
If it’s not wood shavings maybe you know what other type of litter the cat has used in the past. Cats are that picky…so it could simply be the brand.
i had a male cat like that. no matter what we did he went everywhere but where he should of. we ended up getting rid of him.
I don’t really know because none of my cats do that but you might want to buy some scented litter or other kinds until you find onne your cat likes. Also to teach them take their paw and dig in the cat litter with their paw. After that they know how to cover up their buisness forever.