New kitten....questions & advice (merged)

ka7e

When my cats were being introduced to the Great Outdoors, I would only let them out just before feeding time. The rattle of the food bowl soon had them scampering back indoors.

Peakma

Hi all in October we got a new kitten aged 8 weeks,she is now 23 weeks.
From the day we got her she was great with using her litter tray,only had two accidents in the first two months.Then she had a phase of pooing beside the front door,each time i scrubbed with dettol,and spray bleach,to ensure it was well cleaned,but she returned to this spot several times.I can guess,that one reason she was choosing here,as shoes often get left here,so maybe there was a smell on them encouraging her.
But its got worse,over the last week,shes pooed in several different places around the house,the worst of all yesterday under the bed,i had to remove two heavey mattresses,and the slats from the bed,just to get to it to clean up.And now today two in the bathroom.
She's driving me mad!
We also have an 8 year old cat,who is brilliant,he goes outside.he was a little reluctant of the kitty when she first came,but now they get on really well,(although she does bug him a lot,but he takes it well!
She seems to be happy,eats well,and purrs often.
She still uses the litter tray aswell,and is fully aware of where it is.I did move it from the kitchen to the outhouse several weeks ago(after the front door deposits!),which I guess could be part of the problem,as it is a lot cooler out there.She does go outside regulary now,so I was hoping moving the litter tray was a step to her pooing outside and getting rid of the tray altogether.
I would be reluctant to move it back in as it meant rearranging the kitchen table,etc,which was quite inconvenient to seating us all.
Sorry thats rather long winded,but want to show the full picture.
If she continues to do this I might have to consider rehoming her,as my partner really didn't want another kitten,and its beginning to cause friction,as this is disgusting,and not something we can put up with,and do be honest it is making me dislike her.(I guess that last paragragh sounds unfair,but it is how I'm feeling right now).
Any suggestions how to stop it,and how if at all should she be punished?

frivolous_fay

I believe bleach has a smell related to cat wee... sorry that's all I have to offer

Trudy_Grapevine

Have you changed the brand or type of cat litter recently? This has been known to cause problems. If not then I would suggest that you need place the litter tray somewhere else or get an additional litter tray.
Have you spoken to your vet about it? they may be able to advise better than I can.

Sorry I cannot suggest anything else, hope things improve soon.

Sirbendy

you DON'T punish..I'd never owned cats before Hex, but the missus has..he went through a stage of "bathroom floor" episodes. Punishing doesn't do much except make the cat nervous!

You can tell off, but that's about it..and only then if you catch said cat "at it" and not after the event.

Have you changed litter brand/type? That's what did it for him...only a mild change as well..I bought the wrong bag from Tesco..wouldn't touch it.

Sure I read something about bleach and this...can't remember if it was "use it" or not..I always used lemon flash..

We put our litter tray in the bathroom..easier to scoop then. Straight into the loo, job done. Have you cleaned the tray with something that might be putting it off?

Ours are generally good..big cat had a bad stomach last night so I had to clean up in the living room, but thankfully he does pick solid flooring. I have a feeling it was food related, possibly the "dried fish" cat treats he had.

walwin

I remember reading a thread on here ages ago about cats which were actually attracted by the smell of bleach, so maybe not the best thing to use.
I'll see if I can find it



EDIT: found it http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=877723&highlight=bleach
See post #8

poppysocks1

Maybe for now you could keep bedrooms doors shut and just let her have access to the hall/kitchen and maybe lounge area (when you are in it so you can move the cat if necessary?). i know this is not a long term solution, and I am sure there will be someone along that can give further advice to you, and I do understand what an inconvenience this is, having a cat myself.

Is there a spray that you can put down that makes them not use that area again?

noons

Vinegar tends to detract cats from going near the area - it might not be the nicest smell to have in your house for a bit but it's better than the smell of poo
You can also get spray's in pet stores/supermarkets called 'Get Off My...' which will also stop them going in certain places

babs2008

I would take kitty to the vet or ring for advice in the first instance. Just to check there are no problems.

Maybe she can't stop herself. May be a digestive/bowel/urinary problem.

Hopefully not - but better safe than sorry.

Buttonmoons

I feel for you, for a while my cat would poo in my tumble dryer:eek: Everytime it was left open, she would be in it quicker than lightning, no matter what she needed a pee or poo, she would go there, It was making me resent her, so I know how you feel.

I left the tumble dryer open, and waited for her to go near it, then sprayed her with water, and did it everytime I saw her near it, she soon got the message and hasn't peed or pooed anywhere else (Except for an accident she had beside her litter box)

May not be the best way to sort it, but it worked and I don't have to keep buying new towels!