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

kiraroo

firstly you need to make sure there's nothing medically wrong with her and a trip to the vets will sort out that issue.

but i think you've answered your question within your question and that is mainly that you've moved the litter tray. Because where it was, was inconvienient to you but you have to think whether the location of the litter tray is more inconvienient than her pooing round the house? I think sometimes people give human emotions to cats and overestimate their intelligence. yes they are intelligent creatures but they're not human. i would think the simple reason she is messing in other places is that she doesn't like the new location of the litter tray because as you said it is cold there. and when faced with a choice of having a poo somewhere warm or somewhere cold, she's going to choose the warm place.

if i were you, i would move the litter tray back to where it was and see if her habits change. as she is routinuely going to the toilet somewhere she shouldn't in the same place then make it impossible for her to go there again by either putting something which can't be moved or putting a bowl of food there, as cats will very rarely poo where they eat.

all my cats go outside but i still keep a litter tray in the house, it stops them ever messing round the house because even if it's cold outside they can always go to the toilet somewhere when they feel comfortable to.

i would never condone punishing a cat, as i said before they do not have the emotions of humans and unless you caught her in the act and were able to tell her off verbally, she'd never be able to relate you telling her off later to her pooing somewhere she shouldn't.

so in conclusion, i would move the litter tray back to where it was before, or at least into the house.

Rachel83

Dont use dettol or bleach to clean up the messes.. im sure dettol is poisionous to cats and the amonia in bleach makes them want to do it there again.

Maybe try confining the cat to one space until it atleast stops the pooping round the house making sure theres a litter tray available or you put it outside for 15 mins every hour or so to make sure it never needs to go toilet in the house.

rita-rabbit

I wouldn't describe anywhere near or outside as `cooler'! Perhaps winter not the best time to do this especially. Or - dare I say it - get an additional litterbox - an enclosed one with a flap that you put near/in the outhouse.

Cats like the smell of bleach so don't use that to `cover' the smell of wee.

What about putting the litter tray in your bathroom? After all it's your toilet is?

Sorry if this sounds indulgent but the weather isn't pleasant right now so you have to consider alternatives that are attractive enough to her to use - at least until spring. That is unless someone is home alot to monitor her - ie feed & then put her outside & then some time later let her back indoors so that there's been time to make the necessary `deposits' outside. Yes & keep the bedroom doors closed except perhaps when you are using them.

Punishing only works with some cats - she may just become v nervous & more secretive about her toilet activities & you may find she has found even more inaccessible (to human) places she may have `gone'.

Good luck & please consider/try alternatives before going for rehoming

mumoftwins

I have a 5 month old male kitten and he hasn't been outside yet but is itching to get out! I will have him neutered in the next few weeks then will let him out for a little while, but stay with him and play in the garden - thats if he doesn't just make a dash for the shrubbery and undergrowth:o

rita-rabbit

I prefer moggies - they all have their own distinctive personalities.

I appreciate people's right to choose pedigrees if they wish, however it cannot be said that they `need' homes as much as moggies as they are created purely for profit. Unfortunately there are some people who do not value animals that they get free/cheap - that's true but just one of those things.

The great advantage of most people having their pets `done' is that there are then alot less kittens & pups available. A few years back this was the case so there were v few available & as such the scarcity gave all pets value - I had to advertise for my two. Hopefully the credit crunch will not last long & then even poor owners will do the responsible thing.

Peakma

Thanks all for replies.I had know idea that some cats are actually attracted to the smell of bleach,so that's useful to know.What should I use as an alternative,that will ensure all bacteria are eliminated?
I will consider bringing the litter tray back in.I'l see how she is over the next couple of days,the problem is we live in a very small bungalow,all the rooms are small,and there is no hallwayTheres no spare space for a litter tray in the bathroom,unless the kids stand in it whilst brushing their teeth!And I have three children,and probably more than the normal amount of clutter,just making enough space to actualy shut the doors is a mission.
The other problem with this house is,it is an old rented property,that is damp,mouldy and smelly,something I am constantly trying to keep on top off.
I won't really be rehoming her,I'm too much of a softie for that! And I do believe if you take on a pet,it is for life,not just whilst their cute and cuddly.( kitten stew did cross my mind earlier though!!)

Sirbendy

That's a shame..we have ours, as I say, in the bathroom...and if we go, the boys go as well..even if it's the teeniest pee in the world, they go just to show solidarity I think..creases me right up.

Once we've moved I'll restart the migration from the litter tray to the Litter Kwitter, and see if we can master the loo again..heh.

c6h4m1

Peakma wrote: »

Thanks all for replies.I had know idea that some cats are actually attracted to the smell of bleach,so that's useful to know.What should I use as an alternative,that will ensure all bacteria are eliminated?
...

I won't really be rehoming her,I'm too much of a softie for that! And I do believe if you take on a pet,it is for life,not just whilst their cute and cuddly.( kitten stew did cross my mind earlier though!!)

:rotfl: I know I shouldn't laugh at that last, I adore cats and my cats can get away with murder but I may threaten them with stew now! (It's an empty threat as me and my DP are vegetarian )

I think everyone else has said what I would say and that is to put the tray back where it was for now and see what she does. Better to have a bit of inconvenience for a couple of months than to have to keep clearing up after her I would think?

I used Pets at Home stuff for removing stains and smells, I can't remember what it's called though. It comes in a spray or a bottle, and I think you can put it in carpet cleaners, too. It is better than using bleach as it doesn't encourage the cat to carry on using that area as a toilet.

pukkamum

My nan told me to put butter on my kittens paws before letting them out for the first time and they would always come home!
sure it's just an old wives tale but i have always done it (just in case) and haven't had any disappear!

Peakma

well the little ****!! did another sneaky one at 12.30 last night under my bed.Absolute nightmare,I was just about to take myself off to bed,and I'd been watching it all evening,and taken it to its litter tray several times.I smelt it straight away as it came out(our bedroom is off the living room)it looked at me,knew it had done wrong,and bolted outside.
I know you dont need all these details,but I'm venting! My partner was all ready in bed,and it totaly stank!Theres so little room beside our bed,and so many things shoved under there, I could only just reach it to clean it up.AAARRRGGGHHHH.
So today it has been cofined to the kitchen and outhouse,untill now the kids are home,its aloud in the living room too.
I have brought its litter tray back into the kitchen,and I'm hoping that will solve the problem.
I'm going to go spare if it doesn't!!:eek: