Topic: Why Won't The Kitty Use The Litter Tray? :( (Read 3971 times)

blackcat · « **Reply #25 on:** July 15, 2007, 23:58:54 PM »

Sounds like you need a degree in engineering to operate it - but it is very pretty and if it does the job, then it is worth the cost!! Well done for you perserverence

Hippykitty · « **Reply #24 on:** July 15, 2007, 23:19:56 PM »

cheekykitty · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2007, 13:11:19 PM »

HippyKitty I sense a touch of sarcasm there

- you all probably have one of these, but it works for me. If it works, then it's a godsend is what I say!

It's the size of a baby bath and needs a LOT of litter in it! It has 3 layers including one for sifting out the clumps without having to touch the litter. You sift into one of the trays, bin the clumps and put the sifter into the other tray, pour the clean litter over the sifter, put that tray to the bottom and clip them all together. I changed from a wood based litter (which I found had the least odour) to a clumping litter that was very fine, almost like sand.

Hope u found this amusing ... oops I meant amazing enough

Hippykitty · « **Reply #22 on:** July 15, 2007, 03:34:07 AM »

Please telll us more about this amazing litter tray.

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #21 on:** July 14, 2007, 23:05:46 PM »

Wonderful wonderfful

cheekykitty · « **Reply #20 on:** July 14, 2007, 22:11:31 PM »

Thank You All for your great advice on this matter!

I just thought I would update you all and let you know that FINALLY there is a breakthrough!

All it took was £30 for a 'new' (expensive) litter tray and 'different' (expensive) litter ...... since bringing that home, Titch has used the tray for wees AND poos and there has been no mess anywhere else in the house!

I am sooooo pleased and relieved I could shout it from the rooftop lol ... My youngest tom Romeo seems to absolutely love it too! I don't think I will ever get him to go outside ever again lol

Thank You All Again

blackcat · « **Reply #19 on:** July 13, 2007, 15:41:57 PM »

yep, just start by putting them a little closer together, then when they are very close, reduce the numbers. that way you can lead her to where you want the litter trays to be in the end.

cheekykitty · « **Reply #18 on:** July 13, 2007, 15:23:45 PM »

Hi blackcat

I honestly don't think she is submissive to the other two males, but the litter tray idea sounds good to me. I will put one in every spot she has used. The only problem I am going to have with that, is if/when she does decide to use them, when do I start lessening the trays and which ones do I take away?

Thanks for the info it is greatly appreciated

blackcat · « **Reply #17 on:** July 13, 2007, 15:15:28 PM »

It can also be a submissive thing. If the cat is in any way timid of your other cats, then it will not use their litter tray as it is intimidated by their scents. A cat psychologist I consulted about one of my more neurotic cats (pavarotti) once told me that you should have one more litter tray than you have cats so they have a choice as to whether they share. Claudius used to go around and poo in each litter tray as soon as I changed the litter and refused to cover it up (very dominant behaviour) so it only worked a little bit for me but it is worth trying...

cheekykitty · « **Reply #16 on:** July 13, 2007, 15:11:55 PM »

Thanks for that Ruth

I will just keep on as I am, trying different tack ticks to get her to voluntarily use the litter tray. As of right now, she only sometimes uses it to poop in, but has never yet used it to pee. She has now started using a regular spot to do her poops and a different regular spot to pee in around the house, rather than anywhere and everywhere.

Who said patience was a virtue??

Bazsmum · « **Reply #15 on:** July 13, 2007, 08:43:13 AM »

My Maisey (6 months) is like this......she is a very clean lady and cannot abide to use a soiled litter tray....even if only used once, maybe clean the tray out as she insists...(not sure 100% but i think kittens are like human babies in the sense they go in approx 10 mins of eating).....dont put as much litter in so your not wasting it and hopefully over a period of time build the litter etc and see what happens.....

cheekykitty · « **Reply #14 on:** July 12, 2007, 22:39:20 PM »

Hi Reynard

Thanks for that info. I kind of suspected that at first because I know how male cats are with scenting etc etc. I did try to put her own scent into the tray, but it didn't work .... she sniffed at it and walked away in disgust as if to say 'haven't you cleaned that up yet' and went somewhere else. When I cleaned it out recently because one of my other cats had used it, she pooped in it almost immediately. It was like she was waiting for me to clean it first??

It seems the more I take her to the tray, the more she resents it? I will keep up with it for as long as I can, otherwise I will have to change strategies. I am hoping that I won't have to resort to the puppy crate way, but if I have to, I have to.

Thanks Again

Reynard · « **Reply #13 on:** July 12, 2007, 22:21:15 PM »

One thing that you may wish to try is to put some of her "oopsies" into the tray that you want her to use so that she can both see and smell where she is expected to go. Cats use scent to recognise appropriate places to "go" and by putting her poops into the tray, it may reinforce the message.

The issue you describe seems to be more a case of territorial marking and of reassuring herself that this space is hers. I had that issue with Pearl, my semi-feral when I first got her - I'd find poops in all sorts of odd places...

cheekykitty · « **Reply #12 on:** July 12, 2007, 22:15:04 PM »

All I can say at this point is ..... Thank Goodness I haven't had my expensive new flooring layed yet

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #11 on:** July 12, 2007, 21:04:54 PM »

Ooh, we love a mystery, us lot!

Given her background, perhaps she's scenting, then...?

Do keep us posted with progress.

cheekykitty · « **Reply #10 on:** July 12, 2007, 21:01:18 PM »

Thanks again for your replies

I did look into buying one and yes they are very expensive for a short time thing. So I will either look into my local CP or other cat rescue organisation for a loan of one.

Yes Pinkbear, I have tried to help her in her mission and she has seen the other cats doing it too.

She has started pooping in it, but as of yet, peeing everywhere and anywhere still. I will percivere for a week or two more and if I get no joy, I will end up buying a puppy crate. In the meantime, I will be looking around for the loan of one

Hippykitty · « **Reply #9 on:** July 12, 2007, 20:47:19 PM »

I recently phoned my local CP asking for the loan of a kittening cage for Polly. They've loaned me one, saying I could keep it for as long as she needs it. Gave a donation on collecting it, and will give another when return it.

Checked the prices on the internet, thinking I might need one again sometime. They're horrendously expensive.

I'd already asked at my vet's. The receptionist didn't know what I was talking about!

So recommend you try your local CP.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #8 on:** July 12, 2007, 20:34:46 PM »

Your vets may be able to hire you a cage if you dont want to buy one. With her history i think that a cage is going to be the best way. Shes used to dropping her load wherever

Pinkbear (Julie) · « **Reply #7 on:** July 11, 2007, 23:38:09 PM »

Has she actually seen your other cats use a tray? Have you actually got hold of her paws and helped her scratch and dig in the litter?

I really don't think she knows what it's for...

Hippykitty · « **Reply #6 on:** July 11, 2007, 23:12:05 PM »

Don't tell her off or smack her when she makes a mistake. Gently sit her on a clean tray (cats hate dirty litter) and tenderly press her bottom onto the litter, telling her how good she is, then scratch at the litter with your finger. When you let her go, she'll jump out, but if you keep doing this, patiently, then she'll learn that this is where you want her to go. Cats are intelligent animals, and quick learners, but they don't learn by ordering, but by coaxing.

Good luck.

cheekykitty · « **Reply #5 on:** July 11, 2007, 22:28:39 PM »

Thank You all for the great advice! I did start with soil 2 weeks ago and gradually added the litter to it. I figured she has never seen litter before and most probably used to go in soil or something similar.

I have tried the containing her in 1 room trick, but that didn't work. She was soiling all over the place and not in her tray. I have even tried to put the tray in some of the spots she has used before in the last couple of days. I think I will need to invest in a dog crate as it doesn't seem to be getting any better. It's funny because she never soils in the same place twice (after cleaning it of course). Never known a cat to do that. My two older boys go outside, yet they ALWAYS soil in roughly the same place. I think I am having problems coming to terms with the fact that this is a totally different scenario. For a start she is female, and her start in life was totally different to the other two's. For some reason, I thought litter training came naturally to them, but now I know different.

Thanks again for the advice, it is greatly appreciated!

Gill (sneakiefeline) · « **Reply #4 on:** July 11, 2007, 21:43:05 PM »

Great advice and I would definately try soil to start with, she is probably confused about whats in the tray.

Millys Mum · « **Reply #3 on:** July 11, 2007, 18:43:51 PM »

Bless her, you definately need to contain her. If the one room trick doesnt work then a dog cage is a great way to train, especially as shes so small.

Ela · « **Reply #2 on:** July 11, 2007, 17:43:47 PM »

If the tray has a lid I would remove it for now. I suggest you experiment with different types of litter, even soil initially then gradually increase the amount of litter. I would suggest you keep the kitten contained in one room until she is litter trained. If all else fails I suggest you get a dog pen and have a couple or even 3 trays in there and a bit of bedding usually they soon learn to use the tray within a couple of days..

cheekykitty · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2007, 14:49:09 PM »

Hi All

Now that I have properly introduced myself and my gorgeous trio, unfortunately I need some advice

My little kitty Titch is approx 8-9 weeks old and I have had serious problems getting her to use the litter tray! Of all the cats I have shared my home with over the years, I have never encountered this problem before.

I got her from a farm where she was outside all the time and unsocialised, and I am thinking this has a great deal to do with why I am having these problems? I'm constantly behind her cleaning up the mess she leaves me and constantly taking her to the litter tray after she has eaten, when she looks like she is looking for somewhere to go and 'after' she has gone in the wrong place. I don't really know what else to try. She seems afraid of the litter tray for some unknown reason and I really need to get to the bottom of this because it has started taking its toll on me lol

Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated xXxXx

Author Topic: Why Won't The Kitty Use The Litter Tray? :( (Read 3971 times)