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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.

Original poster

Can't cope with cat any more - what can we do?

131 replies

nostaples · 28/12/2017 20:49

Hi, we adopted a cat a few years ago. She was a stray kitten and we took her on after nobody claimed her following posters etc. She wasn't chipped. We've had her neutered. All well and then a couple of years ago she stopped toileting outside so we have a litter tray. Not great but could put up with that. Now she has stopped using her litter tray and craps all over the bathroom floor. Have tried everything - changing tray more regularly etc but there is a limit as we both work full time long hours. If we give her up what can we do? Do we have to have her put down or will an animal shelter take her on? Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 28/12/2017 20:50

Is she left on her own a lot?

IntoTheFloodAgain · 28/12/2017 20:50

have you taken her to the vet?

AtSea1979 · 28/12/2017 20:50

Not enough info to advise!
What does the vet say?

Catzpyjamas · 28/12/2017 20:52

You need to take her to the vet for a check up and advice. She may be unwell or she may be stressed. No one online can tell unfortunately.

Floralnomad · 28/12/2017 20:53

Is it because the tray is used because really you need to just have multiple trays when you are out so she can always find a clean one to use .

mineofuselessinformation · 28/12/2017 20:53

Does she have one tray or two?
My cat doesn't like to do wees and poos in the same tray.

Greenshoots1 · 28/12/2017 20:53

maybe she doesn't like the litter? try another type? try putting strips of tin foil down over the bathroom floor when you go out?

mineofuselessinformation · 28/12/2017 20:53

X-post with floral.

Insertawittynamehere · 28/12/2017 20:53

Have you taken her to the vet to check there aren't any physical reasons?

Have you tried to re-train her?

There are loads of things you can try before giving her up or having her put down.

Fatso1978 · 28/12/2017 20:56

I wouldn't bother trying to help the OP. I think they will just give the poor cat up. Pets are fun and games until there are issues for a lot of people.

Who would even think of giving up their pet because it's started having toileting problems?

IntoTheFloodAgain · 28/12/2017 20:59

@fatso it does come across like that doesn’t it

allglitteredout · 28/12/2017 20:59

Have you tried closing bathroom door before you go out? I agree with previous posts in getting her checked out, she may be poorly and need your help. Don’t just talk about putting her down just because she has a problem with the toilet.

Appleandcinnamon · 28/12/2017 21:01

Can you train the cat to shit outside please don’t tell me it’s a fucking house cat

Shinesweetfreedom · 28/12/2017 21:06

Can you speak to Cats Protection for advice,they really are good.

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 28/12/2017 21:07

Agree with Fatso any caring owner would have taken their cat to the vet for a check up but not with this poster they decide to give it to an animal shelter or put it down, no thought for the cat at all just thinking about themselves and the “inconvenience” the cat is causing them, poor poor cat.

HarrietKettleWasHere · 28/12/2017 21:11

My cat is a house cat by choice. She's more than welcome to go outside but she doesn't choose to. She's a rescue and I'm not sure she ever got the option to go outside in her precious life.

She has 3 litter trays. If one is dirty it upsets her and she won't use it.

HarrietKettleWasHere · 28/12/2017 21:12

*previous life.

Brazenhussy0 · 28/12/2017 21:12

Visit to the vet (peeing in random places can be a sign of some underlying health issue)

2x litter trays (if you're out for long periods the cat might be upset about the prospect of peeing/pooing in an already used litter tray)

Do not give up the cat. (You took her on. She is your responsibility through the good times and the bad. Be a bloody adult about it.)

cafeaulaitpourvous · 28/12/2017 21:16

Poor puss ☹️

Shinesweetfreedom · 28/12/2017 21:21

Please speak to cats protection.There may even be a local Facebook Cats Protection that you can send a pm to.

Original poster
nostaples · 28/12/2017 21:22

Thanks for those of you who have given genuine advice. Can't really believe those of you having a go. For information this was originally a stray that we have taken on and looked after for years even though we didn't really want a pet. We have looked after her and she has had a happy life that she wouldn't have had otherwise but we have two children and busy working lives. It's becoming unbearable to come home to the smell and reality of cat shit everywhere all the time. We really have tried everything.

OP posts:
Appleandcinnamon · 28/12/2017 21:28

I’m confused why the cat can’t go outside in the day while you are at work. It’s a cat. They like exploring

SparklyMagpie · 28/12/2017 21:29

I can't believe you're having a go about people having a go

IntoTheFloodAgain · 28/12/2017 21:29

OP have you taken her to the vets recently to check for health problems?
Cats don’t generally just shit everywhere for no reason.

HardAsSnails · 28/12/2017 21:29

My can only poos once of twice a day, which I assume is normal, so you must be leaving the cat, the trays and/or the poo for ages if it's everywhere.

Do you have a catflap? More than one tray? Tried different litters? What are you feeding?

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