Littertray Problems

Toilet Training

Most cats instinctively known how to use a litter tray but if they do need a little help training is quite easy. Simply place the litter tray somewhere out of the way of human feet and easily accessible for the cat. Show the cat where the litter is by placing him in it. Watch him closely after eating or waking up. If he makes a mistake, carry him quickly to the litter tray and don't punish him. While you are toilet training your cat it may be better to confine him to just one room until you are confident he is trained.

Litter Tray Rules

•Clean Litter Tray Regularly

Keep the litter tray spotless.
Remove soiled litter at least once a day.
Empty and wash tray at least once a week.
Provide fresh litter at least once a week.
Clean the tray more often if the cat is sick or if more than one cat is using it.

•Stick to One Brand of Litter

If you decide to change to a different litter brand and your cat refuses to use the litter tray then switch back to the old litter. Some cats will refuse to use a litter
they don’t like.

•Privacy

Put the litter tray in a quiet low traffic area away from cat’s food or bed. Some people place the tray in a dry corner of the bathroom. Wherever you place the litter tray always remember to keep the door open so that your cat will have access to the tray whenever she needs it.

•Keep Litter Tray in Same Area

Once you have found a suitable place for the litter tray keep it there. Moving the tray from place to place will only create confusion and your cat may decide to eliminate where the tray used to be.

Reasons for Not Using Litter Tray

If all the litter trays rules have been followed and your cat is still not using the litter tray then their most be another culprit.

Stress

Stress can certainly affect a cat’s behaviour. Has there been a change in your cat’s routine, a house move, a new baby or a new pet? If this is the case then try giving your cat extra attention until she grows accustomed to the changes. You could also try feliway, a plug-in diffuser, which is used to reduce stress and can be purchased from
the vet.

Where a new cat has been introduced to the household make sure that each cat has a separate litter tray and where possible keep trays in separate rooms.

Illness

A cat may stop using its litter tray if it has an illness. If your cat is hurting when using the litter tray she may decided that the litter tray is what is causing the pain and avoid using it. Incontinence, urinary infections, kidney, stomach and bladder troubles are just some of the medical problems that your cat could be suffering from. If you have any concerns about your cat’s health then it’s time to visit the vet for advice and checkup.

What can I do if my cat is not using its litter tray?

Firstly it would be best not to punish him/her (as tempting as this can be) as
it only increases anxiety and does nothing to correct the behavior. There
are various things you could try. Firstly, more litter trays, ensuring they
are spotlessly clean, placing newspaper under the tray to catch any
spillage. If you have recently changed your cat litter it may be best to go
back to the original brand of litter. Confining them to a small space where
they have only the choice to go in a tray or their own bed. Any other space
could be used up with food dishes. This could help to re-establish correct
litter training. Try cleaning the area with some biological detergent
followed by a spray of surgical spirit. This should help to get rid of the
scent. Stress can also cause this behavior, e.g. a neighbor’s cat, a new cat
in the household, a new baby or moving house. You could try feliway, a
plug-in diffuser, which is used to reduce stress and can be purchased from
the vet. Finally, in the case of incontinence or a urinary infection contact
your vet for advice.