Advice on kittens toilet habits

tiernsee

We have two kittens. They are three and a half months old and came from the cat protection league. They arrived litter trained and have been using the litter tray in the utility room with no problems (it is an enclosed cat loo). For two nights running one of them has used the sink in the utility room rather than the cat loo, and I don't know why. I think it is the smaller of the two cats (they are brothers) and I have noticed the bigger brother is bullying him a little - could this be it? The litter tray gets changed regularly and as said they have been using happily for well over a month.

Any advice would be most welcome. As soon as they are neutered I will be letting them out but this won't be for another month or so, and I really don't want any more nasty surprises left in the sink. Added to this since I got them my circumstances have changed and I am not preparing the house for sale (need to get a house with an annexe) and I don't think this would make a very good impression for any potential buyers!

Thanks for your help.

spookylukey

I'd recommend a second litter tray! Some people say the recommendation for litter trays is normally the amount of cats +1. I think that's a bit OTT myself and have 2 for two cats. He might not like using a tray that has been used by his brother, as they get older hormones start to kick in so he may be threatened by the scent of another male. Even if it was his own wee/poo in there that hadn't been scooped that may have put him off from using it.

My cats tend to stick to a particular tray each, they quite often go and sniff at the door of the other one (hooded trays) then turn around and go in their 'own' tray.

Apricot

I agree with spookylukey - get a second tray. My two cats quite happily shared one for a while but then suddenly coco decided not to use that one anymore - preferring the bath :eek:

I also used to have a hooded tray but took the hood off as the smell used to be pungent when the cat opened the door - even if the tray had been cleaned and there was only a wee in there! Since getting rid of the hood and getting a second litter tray we haven't had another accident.