My cat and new box and litter

[Allofaflumble]

What do you think of this?

My cat, older male was starting to make the house stink of wee. Did a bit of research and a few people recommend a new box as wee has seeped into plastic. It was pretty old so got a lovely jumbo one as had noticed him standing near edge of old one and thought maybe he was missing a bit. Anyway new box is lovely.

I also looked into new litters to help with smell and settled on Worlds Best. I thought it a good idea as compost able and you can put poop down the loo.

He has never been fussy about litters but now it seems he won't go in the new box or even the old one now which has Worlds best in. It seems I may have to go back to old litter AND old box, which takes me back to my original position! I am £60 down now and have a cat who seems to be holding off going to toilet.

Any ideas please. I really thought he would love the roomier box. Or is it the litter?

[nottonightIhaveaheadache]

I'd be tempted to try the new box with the old litter. Maybe too much change at once? I have heard some cats don't like the texture of world's best. I find the white catsan one good for controlling smells.

[cozietoesie]

I'd start by going back to his original type of litter and see how he gets on with that. They can be real fussy about the litter type they like (my own boy will only happily use certain brands of clumping natural clay for any extended period) so you pretty well have to go with their wishes.

Normally, it's a good idea to make a gradual transition to a new litter (if you can) but if he simply won't use the new stuff, I'd just go back to the old stuff right away.

Is the new, roomy box, different in height or shape to the old one by the way? I'm wondering whether he could be finding it difficult to use. How old is he ?

[Allofaflumble]

Hey thanks for the replies. We were using Cats an. That will teach me to buy a big bag of the Worlds End! The box is similar in shape but bigger than the old one.

I guess I did not think about it being too much to change both. Was so excited to be showing my love for him and some help with the smell. It had such good reviews, both of them did.

[Allofaflumble]

PS. We are not sure but vet reckons between 12 and 14.

[cozietoesie]

Did you mention his extra-box peeing to the vet? At that age, it's not impossible that he's maybe getting some joint stiffness - eg in his back legs and lower back - which could make climbing into a box less easy than a quick 'pee and flee'.

[Allofaflumble]

I don't think that is the problem cozie but will keep an eye on it. It seems more that the old average large litter tray was a bit small for manoeuvering so his butt was a bit close to the edge at the front. If he positioned at the back end it was fine

This is why I thought he would love the tray!

I am off to buy the old litter as soon as the shops open. Will have to put the Worlds Best back in the bag and offer to Cats Protection.

He seems perfectly happy, contented, eating and drinking.

[cozietoesie]

Who can read the mind of a cat, eh?

Best of luck, anyway - and let us know how he gets on.

[cozietoesie]

PS - if in doubt, get an extra tray for him and see how that goes as well. (A spare tray is always good to have around in any case and they're only cheap - you can often buy them in Poundland.) Seniorboy, like many cats, often prefers to pee and poo in different trays and the two functions can follow one upon the other so quickly that he has two trays and uses both as the mood takes him. After all, I'm not always on the spot to clean trays as soon as used.

[Allofaflumble]

Hi Cozie.

Well new litter tray has new bag of Catsan. Old litter tray is upstairs with the Worlds Best (the guy in the pet shop recommended that too) to see if he does ever take to it. If not I shall pass it on to someone whose cat will use it!

Thanks for the advice and will let you know. :)

[Allofaflumble]

Quick update. Cat was finally heard going into new litter box with old style cat litter so that is a relief! He had a wee. At least that is more comfy for him. The second tray will remain with WB to see if he ever uses it. Thank goodness.

[cozietoesie]

That's good - once they've cracked and used a new tray, that seems to set a pattern for them so fingers crossed, eh?

I'd leave the second tray around. It seems to soothe them to have an alternate and if they're caught short in a different place (or you're away and they need to poo and pee both) they could well go for it. They do seem to develop a fondness for one particular tray but they could still use the other on occasion. (Seniorboy hadn't used his far tray for a week and then had a big pee in it this morning. Go figure.)

Well done anyway. Let us know how things go.

[Allofaflumble]

Will do. The things we do for animals! :)