Cat keeps using doormat as tray.

dandelionclock30

Hi all, I've taken on a rescue cat and he currently not brilliant as he has bad diarreah and this is under investigation at the vet. Im taking a stool sample in this morning and he's starting some treatment.
One of the problems is that he keeps using the doormat as a litter tray after he has been on his own. There is still plenty of room left on the tray and Im cleaning it out like everytime he goes. Im thinking about having 2 trays down all the time.
Has anybody got any further advise?

Just been to the vet and they said that every cat should have 2 trays and get 1 really big one. So I will try that and see how he goes.

teddysmum

I'd put a second tray where the doormat is. It will be inconvenient for a while, but, hopefully, he will get used to the tray and allow you to move it.


However, it does look as though he's saying that outside is the place to toilet.

dandelionclock30

He cant go out at the moment Im afraid as hes not well and hasnt had his injections, I also havent had him long enough. Im going to start letting him out in the spring when its a bit warmer.

teddysmum

I realise that he can't be allowed out, but suspect being used to going out is the reason for his behaviour. It's worth trying the mat/tray replacement though, as he can 'go' nearer to outside.

Mayflower10cat

Could also be he doesn't like the type of litter you're using! Cats are fussy like that, I know only too well. Can you remove the doormat for now, as any residual odour might be attracting him back to toilet on the same spot. Yes, I'd agree to put another tray where the mat used to be and plenty of newspaper in case of accidents. Hope he feel better soon poor little chap.

harveybobbles

One of my Chihuahua's uses the door mat if it's raining outside lol.

Normally, she just puts her bum outside and does it on the step if its cold lol.

fairy_lights

Looking at it from a cats perspective I can sort of see the logic behind using a doormat as a toilet. If it's a similar size to his tray and sits in the corner it might look similar to his tray, and if it's a fairly long-bristled type of mat he might think he could bury his business in it.
Maybe he doesn't want to go back in his tray after he's had diarreah and sees the mat as a secondary litter box? if he's done his business on it a few times now and it hasn't been removed it will be very difficult for him to understand he's not supposed to go there.

teddysmum

Another point: What are you cleaning the mat with ? I ask as some disinfectants actually encourage dogs to wee again in the same spot, so the same may apply to cats.

dandelionclock30

Just everyday disinfectant.
Good news, I put an extra tray down next to the door mat and he used both trays during the night and no accidents on the doormat.
Fairy lights- when he's done his buisness on the mat I removed it as soon as I've seen it. I would'nt leave a mat with cat poo on it as its unhygenic and I dont live in a dirty house.
Even when he goes on his tray, I try to remove the clumps asap. Obviously at night its different.He seems to like the new clumping litter by Wilkinsons and his medication appears to be working as hes done a normalish poo now. Hopefully he is getting better.

fairy_lights

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Fairy lights- when he's done his buisness on the mat I removed it as soon as I've seen it. I would'nt leave a mat with cat poo on it as its unhygenic and I dont live in a dirty house.

Sorry Dandelionclock, I didn't mean to imply that you were leaving the dirty mat there, just that if the mat is replaced after cleaning he might think that like his proper litter tray it is getting cleaned and replaced for him to use again, if you see what I mean.
Glad to hear he seems to be on the mend