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Original poster

How will cat know to use the litter tray?

19 replies

Hulababy · 10/03/2006 18:10

Hopefully picking up new cat on Monday. Cat will be house trained and used to using a litter tray.

i have bought a simple litter tray for now (a bit like those at the shelter).

How will the cat know where to go and to use ur litter tray in his/her new environment?

How do we go about it?

Not ignoring anyone, but off to London for weekend in next hour. Will check back for advice when I get home on Sunday. Thanks in advance :)

OP posts:

NatalieJane · 10/03/2006 18:12

Just show the cat where the litter will be kept, then make sure that it can actually get to the tray at all times. It shouldn't be a major problem.

Good luck :)

WigWamBam · 10/03/2006 18:12

If you see her sniffing round in a corner, she probably needs a wee. Pick her up, put her in the litter tray. Repeat as required. She'll get there eventually.

Hattie05 · 10/03/2006 18:13

If you stand the cat in the tray every now and then, it will get the idea, especially if its been using one before. If and when you see your cat wee anywhere it shouldn't, immediately pick it up and put it in litter tray.

btw a good tip if it does start weeing where it shouldn't - sprinkle pepper down, they hate pepper.

TuttiFrutti · 10/03/2006 20:10

If a cat has used a litter tray before, it will automatically know what it is. The crucial thing is to have loose bits in it (so cat litter, or gravel/sand would work) so they have something to "bury" the mess in. Cats are naturally clean and most of them hate leaving mess unburied.

eve2005 · 10/03/2006 20:30

most cats are fastidious and very clever. when you bring her in show her the food bowls and litter tray and chances are she'l know exactly what all of them are!

do make sure to keep to keep litter tray quite clean though as if it gets too dirty the cat will be disgusted and refuse to get in and go in the corner, or worse on your bed to punish you!

Original poster

Hulababy · 12/03/2006 15:20

Thanks all. Very helpful.

There is a cat we have seen today who we are really interested in. Trouble is no reserve and she is available from 1:£0 tomorrow. Such a cutie so likely to be very popular. Not sure what time to go and wait to see if we can get her.

OP posts:

Original poster

Hulababy · 13/03/2006 17:47

Have our cat "Sassy" now. Have shown her where the litter tray is two or three times. No sign of using it yet though. No idea how often cats use their toilet TBH! The litter tray is downstairs on the bottom floor. Trouble is at the moment her favourite place to sleep is right at the top of the second floor, so furthest point away as possible! How she finds it.

OP posts:

iota · 13/03/2006 17:58

great news Hula - so glad you've got your new pet. is she fussy? does she sit on your lap? what does dd think?

Original poster

Hulababy · 13/03/2006 18:02

She is fussy with me at the moment. She is a little more wary of DH (who only got in 10 minutes ago) and DD, who at nearly 4yo is all over as it is. DD loves her nad Sassy is becoming more used to her I think.

She hasn't eaten very much though, even though it is supposed to be her dinner time right now.

OP posts:

iota · 13/03/2006 18:03

cats hate change - I expect that it will take her a day or 2 to settle in

Naughtynoonoo · 13/03/2006 18:05

Congratulations on your new arrival - it sounds like she is your new baby - good to see she has a routine - is it GF? Has she done a pooh or wee yet? I remember when we got our cat (our first baby) we kept plonking her in the tray so she was aware it was there and did the business in the end. I can imagine your excitement - enjoy!

Original poster

Hulababy · 13/03/2006 18:05

I was thinking that. Mind she seems to know her way round and has sorted out her favourite places so far.

Will feel happier when I know that she knows where her litter tray is and how to use it!!!

OP posts:

Original poster

Hulababy · 13/03/2006 18:06

No, no use of litter tray at all yet. Have shown her where it is a few times though.

OP posts:

iota · 13/03/2006 18:07

perhaps she waiting for you to show her what to do

DumbledoresGirl · 13/03/2006 18:11

Hula, a tip from me learnt only recently. Cats don't like the litter tray to be near their food. Preferably put it in another room, but if in the same room, put it at the very opposite end of the room to the food.

We got 2 cats in September and I was upset that, although they used the litter tray, they also soiled other places in the house. I had the tray about 3 feet from their food. Eventually, I bought a second tray as I thought one was not enough for them (I can't keep emptying it the minute they use it) Anyway, I put the second one at the other end of the room. Now they only use that one. The one near the food is only used in dire emergencies if the other tray gets really full (sorry, gross image). Oh and the soiling in other places has practically ceased now - one still likes to use my houseplants, damn him!)

Original poster

Hulababy · 13/03/2006 18:22

Litter tray is in a different room entirely to her food. Different floor even :)

OP posts:

DumbledoresGirl · 13/03/2006 18:42

Clever you.

Don't worry about not eating/using tray much at first. Even if she appears at ease, she is still sussing it all out. Mine didn't completely settle for several days.

Original poster

Hulababy · 14/03/2006 17:58

Well, after a funny earlyu start to the evening/night last night I decided to close the kitchen door with her in there. It is a reasonably good sized room with lots for her in there. So, I moved her litter tray in, but away fromt he food. I didn't notice if she'd used it this morning - I don't think she had. However got back from work today and she had. I also emptied the clumps and topped it up and made it thicker, and straight away she used it again. She she seems happy.

She has also eaten all her food today, drank plenty and is playing with and following DD all round the house :)

OP posts:

iota · 14/03/2006 18:08

ahhh sounds like shes's settling in

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