New cat, nervous & pooing on the floor

[woodwaj]

Any tips? I've got 2 trays.. both quite large. They only arrived yesterday so I expect accidents but not sure how to nip it in the bud. 2 kittens both litter trained trays clean and in quiet places

Are the trays covered? Maybe they feel a bit exposed, even if the trays are in a quiet place. They may prefer one with a lid.

Have they used the trays yet, or just the floor? Could you put one of the poops in the tray so they can find it?!

It could just be nerves - maybe Feliway or some cat nip to calm them down.

Are the trays low enough for the kits to climb into? We used seed trays for the first month or so.

Lifting them into the litter tray regularly helps.

Keeping the trays clean is important.

Making sure you clean up all the accidents as soon as possible and use an antibacterial spray on the patch - we use dettol surface cleaner spray, which isn't overwhelmingly smelly but does keep them away from the same spot.

For the current pair of kittens (now 2yo) we set up a 6'x6' kitten area in the lounge with food and a litter tray at opposite ends, and a plastic party tablemat covering the carpet. That caught most of the accidents.

We put another litter (seed) tray in each room.

Should be fine within a week or two. Yes, fraid so.

If you reduce the count of litter trays, put a large box or something to cover the location where it was or they might continue doing their business there. Don't go under one tray per kitten though.

Thanks all. One tray is completely uncovered and the other has a lid but it's wide open. Both easy to access especially as they are fully qualified acrobats!! I'm hoping the timid one learns from the crazy one!!

It's very early days.

Is the litter to big and sharp for little paws? most behaviourists advise a litter as close to soil as possible which is the ultra clumping. Our cat likes it ankle deep. I bought all the different types before realising this on my own. Naturally ultra clumping is more expensive than gold.

The correct ratio for trays is one per cat, plus one extra.

I had three accidents with my more nervous one, for him I think he was too busy having a brilliant time chasing after his brother and finding the litter tray quickly wasn't his priority.

Cats are more attracted to a litter tray if it had their own scent, so might be worth transferring poos in there, even mixing around a little. If you get any wet patches, try getting some onto cloth and put that over their litter. Also go back to basics and limit rooms

Thanks very helpful. I have limited the rooms already we are lucky to have plenty of space so they still have lots of room to play. Is it pointless popping him in the tray after he's done it as a reminder.. seems a bit pointless once he's gone.

The offender....