Cat wont use litter tray??

PrincessPlaty

To be honest up until i got him spayed (which since i have kept him in) he was an outdoor cat and had removed the litter tray and the problem stopped.

His previous owner also said he was an outdoor cat however after i got him he was very nervous a wouldnt go outside the garden but seems to have built up his confidence since being here

~Chameleon~

It sounds like an anxiety issue. Particularly telling is that he feels insecure the moment you shut him outdoors. I suspect he was frequently thrown outside and left to fend for himself by his previous owners, possibly due to the same issue you've got with him defecating outside the tray.

Btw, female cats are spayed, your little fella was neutered or castrated

penny_pincha

Poor thing, he sounds like he has a bit of a stressful time before he has come to you. Not a very understanding previous owner. It may take some time to re-gain his confidence.

Siting the litter tray is important.Try having more than one in low traffic areas (would you use a loo where everyone can see?) Somewhere in a corner and not near his food bowl either. A hooded tray can be helpful as then they feel private (you can take the door off if you wish too.)

The litter you're using may be an issue. Some cats are very fussy. You can buy litter which attracts them (called Cat Attract) You can buy it from R&L Pet Products http://www.rlpetproducts.co.uk/store/cats/brands/cat-attract I have used this in the past when I had a similar problem and it was successful.

If he poos on the floor, after you clean it up, he will still be able to smell it even if you can't. Use a disinfectant which is cat friendly (any which turn milky colour in water have phenols are toxic) A product which is useful here is Safe4cats http://www.safe4disinfectant.com/safe4pets.php However, this won't eliminate odour to the cat. I have found Urine Off a good product too to irradiate odour. You can buy it from R&L Pet Products http://www.rlpetproducts.co.uk/store/cats/hygiene/ but also Amazon and other on-line pet supermarkets. As a cheaper alternative a solution of bio-washing powder can work sometimes, but rinse off well.

Hope this all helps.

PrincessPlaty

Just a quick update to this I moved house, and he has used the litter tray with no problems and no accidents :j:j

I can only presume it was something about the old house he didn't like!

He is a totally changed cat since we moved here he is now socialising with other cats without attacking, he is approaching my partners children and even going to sleep with them (he used to run and hide when they were here!) and he isn't running and hiding when we have guests in the house!

The move obviously did him lots of good

MagicCats

PrincessPlaty wrote: »

Just a quick update to this I moved house, and he has used the litter tray with no problems and no accidents :j:j

I can only presume it was something about the old house he didn't like!

He is a totally changed cat since we moved here he is now socialising with other cats without attacking, he is approaching my partners children and even going to sleep with them (he used to run and hide when they were here!) and he isn't running and hiding when we have guests in the house!

The move obviously did him lots of good

Maybe he feels like as you've moved together this house is his too? Great news though! :T

penny_pincha

PrincessPlaty wrote: »

Just a quick update to this I moved house, and he has used the litter tray with no problems and no accidents :j:j

I can only presume it was something about the old house he didn't like!


The move obviously did him lots of good

Great News PP. :T

Slinky

Excellent news.

I used to say about my late cat Merlin, if he had a litter tray the size of a football pitch, he'd still shuffle up to the edge and dump all over the side and onto the newspaper below.