litter tray

oligeo

We have adopted 2 kittens - aged approx 5 months.
We're having a litter tray problem, with either one or both - not sure which, but think its more likely the very timid little boy. Seems fine for wees, its the other. At the moment we don't let them upstairs, just kitchen/diner & lounge, litter tray is in the kitchen.
Has anybody got any ideas for resolving this problem?
If its is him - He's extremely timid, and spends alot of his time either under the unit in the dining room or under the tv unit in the lounge. He won't come near us, so physically putting him in the litter tray isn't going to work.
When he doesn't go in the litter tray in the kitchen, he goes about a foot away from the tray. He seems to be wee'ing in it.
When he had an accident in he lounge yesterday, and just now, we're all here (me, hubby & both kids), so could it be fear of us???

Any wisdom gratefully received!
Sarah

tuttifruiti20

Have you considered a hooded litter tray? This might work because he can 'hide' in there and then scratch around and do his business.

Spudsey

Hi
The general rule for cats re litter trays is one tray per cat plus one extra. I have an issue with one of my cats not using the tray so am experimenting with different trays at the moment. My other cat uses trays but prefers to wee in one and a no2 in the other. So perhaps you just need to add a tray or two more?
Also consider the location of the tray and what you are using in it. Have a look on either celia haddons or vicki halls facebook group for more help there are so many different issues re trays!

antw23uk

Sounds like he is terrified of the whole situation to be honest and you will have to be very careful that he doesnt start holding it all in and getting blocked up!

I would have a change around with the tray and I would also add an extra tray if not two for now.

oligeo

Thanks for your replies. I've seen him go in there this morning - just after I'd cleaned it out and put fresh litter in. So maybe it is a prob with no 1's in there & he doesn't like to do no 2 in same one. Not that I leave it to be overflowing, but maybe he's just a fusspot! Will put an extra tray down too.

Thanks
Sarah

rising_from_the_ashes

My 2 went through a phase of No 1s in tray 1 and No 2s in tray 2!

Honestly ... cats!

2nd tray sounds like a good idea and a covered one, even better - however, have you really nowhere else to have it than in the kitchen!

I wouldn't want cat poops anywhere near mine! (sorry but .. )

Iain_L

Some cats don't like to use a tray that is anywhere near their food, so it'll be worth making sure that the food and tray are well separated.

Iain

oligeo

rising_from_the_ashes wrote: »

however, have you really nowhere else to have it than in the kitchen!

I wouldn't want cat poops anywhere near mine! (sorry but .. )

Nope, we have a kitchen/diner, and a lounge. I'm not having it in the dining area - they get fed near that end, so away from the litter tray, and they gobble their food all up, then I remove the bowls and wash them up. - (Hubbys a bit worried that we are underfeeding them, but we're putting down the amount it says for their weight, I suspect they just gobble it all up as they spent 4 months at the rehoming centre where they were in a pen with other cats, so I guess it was a case of eat now or someone else will have it all!)
The litter tray is in the utility area of the kitchen, so not near my work surfaces where I prepare food - Its a big kitchen/diner.

TheConways

We have two male kittens (see other thread) that are 6 months old... When they get to that age, two litter trays are the best way to go! We have a hooded one and an open one. We are looking to get another hooded one to stop litter being kicked about. We also have a "doormat" in front of the trays for them to "wipe their feet on" when they finish, which seems to double as a scratching mat.

ian103

We had a problem with the cats ( 2 kittens ) toilet habit in the beginning, we were told by the cats home one litter tray would be fine.

The cats started to use the dog bed as a second toilet, so we sourced a second litter tray and 99% of the problems stopped.

Not in our case, they have a hooded one and an open tray. The hooded one is used as the toilet until one of them has had a no2, then the other tray is used for no1's but they will still use the hooded tray for no2s.

oligeo

Thanks for the replies.
I have put another litter tray down, and it seems to be better. We too were told by the rehoming centre that 1 tray was fine.