Help with Cat Litter Training, Please

Mobscene

Hello
I'm having a bit of a problem with my new kitten, Kain. He was rescued by my friend, who's SIL was going to dump him in a house then leave :mad: He's about 4-5 months old and adorable BUT he keeps going to the toilet everywhere but the litter tray. I have 2 other cats (one who is very old and just had to have a leg amputation bless him) and have had no problem with them - they don't use a litter tray but go outside.

I have 2 clean litter trays for him to use, and he has access to outside - he never goes further than the front garden and we're near no major roads etc - yet he still insists on going to the toilet all over the floor, in the bath, next to the litter tray etc. And it smells VERY bad!! I've tried picking him up and putting him in the litter tray but it doesn't work.

I thought he might not be litter trained but apparently he was and he does use it every so often.And he's not a nervous cat - quite the opposite! Any advice would be greatly recieved!! Thanks

duchy

Are you using the same brand of litter his previous owners are using ?

Mobscene

I don't know what brand they were using as I've had no contact with them - not very nice people to be honest - but I have tried 2 different types of litter now but only sporadic luck with either of them Thanks for replying so quickly

~Chameleon~

Are they brand new litter trays that no other cat has previously used? If not, he could be deterred from toileting in what he deems to be another cat's territory.

Mobscene

The one is but the other one is an old one so I will try that - thanks!

patchwork_cat

Is he preferring to go somewhere under cover or behind something? Does he tend to go in the same places? http://www.celiahaddon.co.uk/pet%20problems/cats/litter%20tray.html and http://www.caring-for-your-cat.co.uk/litter_and_litter_trays.html and http://www.gablesfarm.org.uk/leaflets/notusinglitter.pdf

Between these 3 sites I think they cover all the aspects. He may take time and love. Get a product from your pet shop to get rid of the smell of the wee elsewhere. Put a bit of the wee in the litter tray if you can. I would restrict him to a smallish area to begin with, but be aware that a cat's litter tray needs to be away from his food.

Fire_Fox

When you say it smells, is it possible the kitten has a tummy upset?

ithinkyourcrazy

I recently had two new kittens, the one used the litter tray fine the other didn't (also have five other cats). We would find poo and urine everywhere. The only thing that worked was the get a new litter tray, completly disifect the whole front room carpet to get rid of any smell left over from cleaning last time when she used carpet and also put drops of lavender disinfectant on the main areas where they always used as a loo.

We also put smalls pots of food around there she used to poo a lot, they won't wee/poo where the food is. She has totally stopped now. Try these as they do work, promise! :j

rita-rabbit

with litterbox, & food etc. When he learns `where to go' he can come out & mix with everyone else....

all waste smells bad - that's the nature of the `beast'!

Mobscene

I'll try the pots of food!! That's a good idea and I've got some lavender oil somewhere... I know it all smells bad but I live in a very tiny annexe and it's taken over lol Bless him. I don't think it's an upset tummy as he has been like this since I've had him and there is nothing unusual or 'ill looking' (for want of a better description!). Thanks Patchwork Cat for the links, I will look at those now.

Thanks everyone for the advice much appreciated!