Cats are usually very clean animals, however if you have adopted a new cat or kitten you may find that they have trouble using the litter tray at first.
It ’ sulfur important to remember to be patient with your guy and never punish them if they go to the toilet outside their litter tray. They won ’ deoxythymidine monophosphate understand why you ’ re telling them off and it may cause more problems as they ’ ll catch stressed and anxious .
Why won’t my cat use the litter tray?
There are lots of reasons your vomit might not want to use their litter tray. We would recommend visiting your veteran foremost to rule out any fundamental medical issues .
- Stress. If cats are stressed, they are more likely to have accidents around the house. You can read up on how to prevent your cat from getting stressed on our pet care pages.
- Illness. Cats might also urinate outside of the litter tray if they have a urinary tract problem, especially if they are quite vocal when trying to pee. You will need to take your cat to the vet for treatment if they are showing signs of a urinary problem.
- Age. Very young kittens who have not been taught by their mother may not understand what the litter tray is for. Similarly, older cats who aren’t used to a litter tray may not want to use one at first, especially if they’re used to going to the toilet outside.
- Location. Where you put your cat’s litter tray is very important. Our vets recommend that you should provide at least two trays for your cat. These should be away from their food and water areas in a quiet part of the house.
- Litter. There are lots of different types of litter available and our felines are known for being fussy! Some cats prefer ‘gravel’, others love the clumping sand style litter. There’s a chance they may not be using their litter tray simply because they don’t like the type of litter you’re currently using.
- Tray. As with litter, our cats can be fussy about their litter tray as well. Some prefer higher sides, some are happy with a standard tray and some cats like the covered ones.
Reading: How to litter train your cat
How can I get my cat to use the litter tray?
If your cat equitable won ’ thymine use their litter tray, there are respective steps you can take to help them learn to use it. Again, never tell your cat off as you could end up making the site bad .
Step one – litter tray location
If you ’ ve set up your caterpillar ’ s litter trays in a certain area they aren ’ thyroxine using, pay attention to where they do go. Try putting a litter tray down where they ’ ve been going to the gutter to encourage them to go in the tray .
Keep a conclude eye on your caterpillar if they look like they want to go to the toilet. With kittens, place them in or near their tray to encourage them to go to the gutter in there. It may take them a few times to grasp the theme but keep trying.
Step two – the right litter and tray
If you ’ ve moved your trays to the set your guy always seems to go to the gutter, but they hush aren ’ thyroxine using it, it might not be location that ’ s the trouble. Try experimenting with different types of guy litter – you may find they have a preference. Some types of litter can be uncomfortable on their paws, others may not absorb urine identical well which can mean the cat-o’-nine-tails avoids getting their paws wet in there .
If they seem felicitous with the litter and dig about but still don ’ t like to go to the toilet in their tray, try using a unlike tray. Some cats prefer the hood trays over the criterion open ones. If they are straining to go to the toilet, seem uncomfortable or seaport ’ t been toileting as normal, then it is constantly best to seek advice from your vet immediately.
Step three – reward good behaviour
once you ’ ve found what tray and litter your kat prefers and where they like their tray, keep an eye on them when they look like they might need the gutter. Give them lots of praise once they have been to the toilet in their tray so they know they ’ ve done something in truth good .
It may take a morsel of time but your cat-o’-nine-tails will finally always go in their trays. Remember to keep an eye on them and take them to the vet if you think they are having problems going to the toilet. If you have a male computerized tomography who is straining to pass urine, then this could be a veridical hand brake and he will need to be seen by the vets immediately .
Top tips for litter training
- Always keep your cat’s trays as clean as possible, as they won’t go in a dirty tray.
- Never punish your cat for having an accident. Instead, reward the good behaviour so they see the litter tray as a good thing.
- Experiment with different types of litter and trays if they aren’t using their trays at first.
- Clean up any accidents straight away to stop them from going in the same place again.
- Keep your cat as stress-free as possible. A stressed cat is more likely to have accidents.
