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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Getting puss to use tray inside instead of in the yard

33 replies

Wordsaremything · 25/02/2014 19:52

Another kitty conundrum- the reverse of a previous poster's dilemma!

My youngest dc (all 3 are rescue) has turned her nose up at the litter tray she used happily when confined indoors. She now prefers to poo in the yard. My other two cats can jump out of yard at will, but she has a deformed back leg which doesn't affect her speed of movement but makes her more wary of jumping and balancing.

They can also go out at the front on demand, but she hates being out at the front.

No medical issues I'm aware of. I think she was under 12 months when I adopted her last September. Has been starved, I think in the past- utter desperation for food but that has now lessened to normal cat imperiousness, which is fine.

OP posts:

cozietoesie · 25/02/2014 19:59

When did the vet last give her a thorough check-up, Words? (I'm just wondering whether her gammy leg is causing her more problems than you realized when she was younger (or perhaps her condition has worsened/tendons tightened or something) and if perhaps she's just pooing where she is - because that's physically easier than coming inside.)

Original poster

Wordsaremything · 25/02/2014 21:20

She hasn't been to vet yet as she was given all clear by RSPCA (kicks herself)

The pooing in the yard isn't random- she squeezes behind huge pot plants to poo on leaves and has also managed to balance on a large abandoned plant pot filled with earth to poo in that.

Don't get the impression it's desperation - more deliberation really.

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cozietoesie · 25/02/2014 21:26

I think I'd still get her checked over first. The first big sign of Seniorboy's arthritis was his pooing outside his tray - and although she's too young for age-related arthritis, it may be that her gammy leg has brought/caused its own problems. 'twill do no harm anyway.

(Seniorboy was put on meds for his old bones and although there's still the very occasional accident, pooing being a physical stress for them, it's largely been resolved.)

cozietoesie · 25/02/2014 21:28

PS - does she still pee in the tray?

cozietoesie · 25/02/2014 21:39

PPS - and sorry. My brain is befuddled this evening.

Just how many trays have you got? Some cats prefer to have a different tray for peeing and pooing so if you've only got the one - or your other two like to avail themselves of the indoor facilities as well - at least one more tray may be indicated. (Seniorboy has two trays and uses both as the mood/bodily function takes him.)

Original poster

Wordsaremything · 26/02/2014 19:57

Hello Cozie she has just the one. Dc1 and 2 go outside. Put another one in her room just now and she immediately weed in it. Should the two trays be in different places or not? She's never weed or pooed on the floor or anything. Just using the yard as a huge loo.can you get outdoor cat loos I wonder?

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cozietoesie · 26/02/2014 21:53

I have Seniorboy's trays in different rooms but not that far apart - across the upstairs hall from each other. It's really down to where she likes them although I wouldn't put them smack bang next to each other.

I don't know about purposed outdoor loos although I should imagine they're available. Maybe just try the two indoor trays for a couple of days and see how you get on? Her peeing immediately in the new one is pretty much a sign of approval I would have thought.

By the way - have you always used the same type of litter?

cozietoesie · 27/02/2014 00:10

I just quickly googled outdoor cat toilet and there seem to be lots of them around. \link{http://www.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_litter_litter_boxes/litter_boxes_nofilter/litter_boxes_without_filter/137335?gclid=CPbe4tiB67wCFUjItAod218Alw\Here's} one as an example.

Maybe some other posters have used them and could give you a view or a recommendation.

Original poster

Wordsaremything · 27/02/2014 23:39

Cozie you are a mine of info!

Norma did a poo in litter tray 2 today!. Seems to be using original one to wee in.

Thanks so much- huge help!

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Original poster

Wordsaremything · 27/02/2014 23:42

Am loving those outside cat loos though. ( strokes whiskers )

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Original poster

Wordsaremything · 27/02/2014 23:44

Yes always used same litter( running to catch up)

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cozietoesie · 27/02/2014 23:50

It's early days yet - but looking more hopeful ? I'd see how she does over the weekend.

cozietoesie · 27/02/2014 23:56

PS - she sounds as if she's become a tray fusspot so best to be very assiduous in cleaning up any tray detritus as soon as you see the tray has been used.

(Seniorboy actually comes and tells me when he's used a tray if, say, I'm downstairs and haven't noticed or heard the scratching. (He expects them to be cleaned directly.) He wasn't as bad when he was younger but nowadays.......)

Original poster

Wordsaremything · 02/03/2014 21:09

She's back to weeing in indoor tray, pooing outside :(

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cozietoesie · 02/03/2014 21:15

Oh Dear. How long for? (There may well be the odd accident if it's just the one poo.)

Maybe an outside tray is the thing?

Original poster

Wordsaremything · 03/03/2014 19:12

About four times. But I refreshed the litter in her indoor trays and she's pooed in it again today. Hurrah ! Maybe she's super-fussy over cleanliness ? which is an issue as I can't be a stay at home slave much as they all would love me to be. I think I will get one of those outside trays and see what happens? Thanks so much for your ongoing advice on this Cozie .

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Original poster

Wordsaremything · 03/03/2014 19:15

And tOmorrow will thoroughly clean yard of dead leaves, abandoned earth filled plant pots etc etc and provide two sparkling trays upstairs ( am at home tomorrow so will see what happens)

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cozietoesie · 03/03/2014 19:21

A fusspot then. As I said, Seniorboy expects his tray to be cleaned directly after it's used. Luckily, there's someone around the house pretty well all day to do what he wants.

I'd keep the indoor trays even when you get the outdoor one. (Just in case there's an errant zephyr which might disturb Her Highness and make her want to use the indoor facilities.)

I'd also mention it to the vet at her next checkup. Myself, I think I'd get her checked over reasonably soon as well. Nothing against that previous vet but her gammy leg could have changed in the time she's been with you so I think it would be worth taking her for a general look-see.

Good luck with her.

Original poster

Wordsaremything · 03/03/2014 20:04

Hi yes I realise I've ignored the vet advice bit. I'll get her checked and report back. Am reluctant only as fab vet is some miles distant and I hate to traumatise them with a long car journey lest I have to.

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NearTheWindymill · 03/03/2014 20:13

Sorry, are you chaps saying that if your babies use the litter tray you don't remove/clean up immediately insofar as you can - work permitting etc?

cozietoesie · 03/03/2014 20:19

I do but not everyone does - and it can depend on the type of litter they use or what's been deposited. I've been well trained, though, and over many years.

Original poster

Wordsaremything · 03/03/2014 20:31

Catsan is of course the current favourite!

I think Cozie is onto something actually. She'll poo once inside in the ( convenient warm scratchy litter tray) then go outside if she needs to poo again that day - to avoid the horrid smell and keep in touch with her wild side.

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cozietoesie · 11/03/2014 20:38

Well that's excellent news about her pooing inside.

You might still get the odd accident of course (we mostly all see those from time to time when they're taken short) but it's good progress.

cozietoesie · 11/03/2014 20:41

PS - I just noticed that she's got a bad tummy, though. How long has that been for?

Original poster

Wordsaremything · 12/03/2014 20:52

Hi Cozie - I put cat repellent in the yard to discourage her there and encourage inside. She's been runny ever since ( 2 days) so roast chick and rice for now.

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