Getting to the end of my tether.

aeuerby

I was hoping someone might have some suggestions as to what I can do with one of my cats - it's a bit long!
I inherited him (and another one to add to the 2 we already had) from my Dad when he died in December.
When we first got him we had alot of trouble with him using the carpet and walls as a litter tray.
I changed allsorts of things and eventually found a litter he liked, a place he was happy to use the tray (under the open plan stairs) kept it scrupilously clean plus he settled down anyway after major upheavel in his life.

He has always "missed" the tray occasionally but my dad bought a tray with a lid on. I took this lid off not long after we got him because when he started going anywhere but in the tray I thought he'd been frightened while using the tray and with only 1 exit wasn't happy with it.
He started to use the tray again but when weeing missed occasionally.

So, to try and protect my carpets I put binliners and newspaper under the tray to catch any "accidents"
The problem now though is he rarely wee's in the tray - preferring the paper etc.
We got a bigger tray because he is a big cat and fills the tray when he stands in it.
This cured the problem for a week or so and then he went back to weeing on the paper.
He has no problem using it for the other though.
I now have 2 trays side by side and again for a couple of days he was ok weeing in it and then this morning he got up, looked at me, went under the stairs and wee'd on the paper again without even attempting to use the tray.

The litter I am using is pettex clumping. It's not cheap but as the name suggests clumps together so as and when the tray is used I empty both sorts of waste leaving it clean.
He doesn't like the litter that you get from the supermarkets, I think it's a bit sharp on his paws. The pettex is more like a coarse sand.
I've tried "the worlds best litter" or whatever it's called. All my cats hated it!
I wash the trays and replace the litter completely every 7 - 10 days or so depending on when they start to smell (I am paranoid about smelly trays!)
He uses it properly for about a day and then I'm back to square 1.
I've tried reducing the amount of visible binliner/paper under the tray but then he just ends up going on the carpet.

Can any body help please? Pretty please?!! I really don't know how else to get him to use the tray properly.

oneandonlyboy

Hi,

Have you tried giving your cat a treat everytime he uses the tray?

aeuerby

Thanks for the suggestion but no.
He generally uses the tray at night when I'm asleep or when I'm out so there isn't an opportunity to reward him immediately afterwards.
Good idea though!

Paula_anne

Maybe he is doing it for attention?
We have recently got our first kitten so it's only a suggestion from a newbie kit owner.

Maybe if he uses the tray and you see him maybe give him lots of attention cuddles etc but when he has an accident don't engage with him just tell him firmly no and place him on the tray.

Alternatively has he got a infection? i read somewhere that cats sometimes urinate when something is wrong.
hth

aeuerby

I don't think he has an infection as it's something he has always done on and off - which is why my dad got the tray with the lid on to try and stop him doing it. It didn't incidentally just reduced it!
It is something I will keep in mind though.

It could be attention seeking but as I said it's difficult to praise and reward when I'm asleep!!
I should also say I'm wary of telling him off around the tray as he's a sensitive soul and I don't want to scare him out of using the tray altogether!

Bendybops19

I think the main cause may be that he doesnt like dirty litter. - It needs to be changed much more regularly than every 7-10 days. I change mine completely every single day and clean the tray.

The way i look at it - how would i like to use a dirty tray?

Cats are very, very fussy little loves.

Also, buy a Feliway diffuser - they can work miracles!

~Chameleon~

Bendybops19 wrote: »

I think the main cause may be that he doesnt like dirty litter. - It needs to be changed much more regularly than every 7-10 days. I change mine completely every single day and clean the tray.

That all depends on the type of litter you use. Many of the clumping varieties only need partial changes to remove the clumps and faeces daily with a complete change once or twice a month.

I use one that is made from a white crystal like substance (looks much nicer in the bathroom too!) and even with two cats using it I only change it once a fortnight

aeuerby

Bendybops,
I've tried Feliway, didn't make a blind bit of difference to him.
The idea of this pettex stuff is you don't have to change it everyday - infact they reccommend you don't!
This is taken from the berriewood wholesale site where I buy it from...
Direction for use
2) Clean tray regularly after cat has used tray. This will ensure tray remains hygenic and odour free indefinately.
3) Remove small clumps of soiled litter and dispose of regularly.
Important, do not change the whole litter tray. Remove only the clumps and maintain level of litter at 2.5-3" (6-7.5cm)

However I clean out all "jobbies" as soon as they happen or as soon as I get up on a morning and like I said a full scrub and fresh litter every 7-10 days.
Up until recently this has been fine for him....
I am expecting a new delivery of the litter today so I'll do a complete change again and see what he does.
If he uses the tray again it would suggest I need to do a change more frequently - which will get awfully expensive!!!

Bendybops19

Is that the bob Martin crystals you use? I've tried that - it does look much nicer than normal litter, totally agree

Each to their own, but anywhere where poo and wee has been, i personally think it needs clearing and cleaning more often...

Yes it does depend on the litter you use, and i have tried all sorts over the years because of one of my fussy cats

Any things worth a try though to try and get your boy going to the toilet properly

aeuerby

No I use pettex clean paws...
http://www.berriewoodwholesale.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=big&p=820&id=berrie

I can't empty the tray more often than I do but I will look at a full change more often.
If thats the case I'll also have to look at a cheaper litter!

cheepskate_2

hi

Sorry to hear of your problems, our boy used to pee outside the tray asd well.

You say he now pees on the paper, have you tried changing the paper to something else. Cats are a law to themselves and like whatever they like, even tho you don't.

Have you tried a bit of lino under the litter tray, easy to clean and still does the job effectively

Hope you get it sorted soon