Cat litter - merged

floyd

Do your other 4 cats all use the same litter trays as each other? If so it sounds like marking behaviour to me. Some cats just don't like using the same litter trays as other cats and get quite distressed by the smell of other cats so by peeing next to the tray she is showing her disatisfaction.
The toileting by the door is also a boundary marking habit that develops and it can be #1 or #2 as there are scent glands which secrete a little onto each poop.
We only learnt this through experience with our 8 year old female cat. She was doing both on the doormat at the back and front doors after years with no problems. We discovered that there was a new cat in the area and it would sit by the patio doors and glare at her and pee all over the front door so she was getting really upset. It stopped as soon as we got a sonic cat scarer for the garden (ours doesn't go out so it didn't affect her).
I am not sure what you can do in a multi-cat household though, but at least it can give you an idea of where to start Hope you have some luck

taliwillow

Thanks for that both.

I hadn't thought of the paper shredding thing so I will get my husband to put whatever we have in the shredder in one of the litter trays tonight.

Yes all of my cats do use the same litter trays. We have 4 litter trays in the house and 1 in the back garden. I had heard of the marking her territory thing re doing it near the front door but thought maybe that wasn't the case as it has stoppedsince we changed the flooring.

I will update you on how we go trying the paper!

Thanks again.

Taliwillow

mungamink

Hiya,

Tesco do a paper based litter, which is a couple of pounds a bag. We use it for our 2 year old Maine Coon, who was raised on newspaper in her litter tray by the breeder. It comes in a blue bag which reads "premium cat litter - paper based" it's worked a treat for her, as she used to leave us "surprises" at the front door too.

taliwillow

Hello,

Just a quick update on how we have got on with the paper idea. My husband put shredded paper in one of the four litter trays (the one that she usually goes next to) yesterday morning and all they have done is thrown some of the paper out of it all over the floor and then they turned it upside down! So I don't know if they are just trying to figure out what it is, if they think its a new toy perhaps, or just trying to show their total disgust that we dare to give them scrap paper! Lol.

We are going to try again but this time put the lid back on it so they shouldn't be able to turn it over again and see how we go.

Just hoping they decide they like it.

Thanks again.

Taliwillow

Tortieshell

Hi does anyone have any advice about the best cat litter to use. I really want one that has high odor control (if thats possible!!)

Also the cheapest place to buy James Wellbeloved dry food?

Thank you.

Honeydog

Catsan is the best we've used. But to be honest I tend to buy whatever is handiest when I need some. You can get really cheap good litter from Wickes and change it more often or you can but a more expensive one like Catsan and not have to change it quite as often.

HTH

milkydrink

The real high order control ones are the ones that look like whiteish-clearish bath crystals. Some supermarkets sell them & pets at home. Bob Martins make one it sells in a plastic bag, another brand sells in a box like soap powder.
My boy uses the garden now, but when he had a tray these were the ONLY type I would use.
I found all the crystal types equally as good, they are pricy, but WELL worth it.

Tortieshell

Thanks for your replies, the crystals seem a good idea (less treading then!)

I was wondering if you knew of a cheap place to get James Wellbeloved?

Many thanks.

milkydrink

No sorry, I feed Royal canin Persian (damn expensive!).

Pets at Home (the pet superstore) do offers on various foods. I think they do more offers on Hills though (thats a really good food too).

The independant pet shop in Crawley town centre (my nearest real big town) often has special offers on my & when they do I stock up.
So try all your local stores (as well as Pets at Home) & see who does regular offers.

I'm biased but I do think Royal Canin is the best with Hill a good second.

milkydrink

Tortieshell wrote: »

Thanks for your replies, the crystals seem a good idea (less treading then!)

I was wondering if you knew of a cheap place to get James Wellbeloved?

Many thanks.

Oh yeah & a lot less treading, if treading is a problem you can get a special mat (or get those sample squares from carpet shops).

Get a covered cat loo too, nicer for you & nicer for the cat.