As the title says, we have a problem with one cat peeing in the turf basket!
With the cold weather that has set in recently, we have been using the fire more often. Lately, my partner has been getting turf in, and I've noticed that it was pretty damp, and commented to him that he should mention it to the turf guy. Came home from work yesterday and saw a puddle on the floor beside the half empty basket and realised that we don't have a problem with damp turf, we have a problem with wee Dub cat peeing on the turf itself.
We have three litter trays in the house, all cleaned daily and used quite happily (litter tray no 3 is an automated one, which Dubcats little and big find fascinating , I'd highly recommend getting one just for entertainment value!) Both cats are well settled, no health issues, and get on very well with each other. No upheavals in the house recently either, so i don't think it can be put down to that.
Wee Dub was a semi-rescue, in that she was foisted on us by a neighbour who bought her as a Christmas present for his little girl who hated her on sight because she wasn't fluffy and white and had sharp little claws. She was tormented by the youngest child and mostly ignored when they were back in their mothers house, so when we got her she had many issues-she has only recently allowed me to touch her belly without bolting and shivering in the corner, for example. Neighbour used a cardboard box filled with earth as a litter tray intermittently, so I think she now associates the scent of the turf with toileting, and is now using my lovely wicker turf basket as she thinks appropriate!
What can we do to encourage her to stay away? I'm loathe to use chemicals, as I prefer to be environmentally friendly when at all possible. I've tried orange peels, and Vicks vaporub on a tissue(Big Dub cat looooves Vicks!!) Black pepper doesn't work for either of them, and ends up all over the wood floor.