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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.

I think I have a defective kitten

16 replies

SleepyKat · 08/09/2019 18:25

I thought all kittens/cats were meant to be litter trained? I’ve had this kitten over a month now and was assured it was litter trained.

Brought him home and installed litter tray in the dining room (house is pretty much open plan downstairs) using the same litter he had at the breeders. He does use it and has done from day 1 but also goes on the floor in the utility room for both wees and poos.

I can’t keep him out of there as it’s the only place I can put cat food down that the dog can’t get to. So door is always open but a stair gate keeps the dog out.

So I started putting newspaper down to make it easier to clean up. He kept going on the newspaper. After a week or two I thought maybe the newspaper is encouraging this so removed it. Still went on the lino.

Haven’t really got room for a litter tray in there but got one yesterday in desperation. I have to move it before I can open the freeze so it’s a pita. Earlier today I heard the tell tale scratching on the Lino and shot in.....he’d squeezed himself between the freezer and the tray and was about to have a shit.

I picked him up and put him in the one in the dining room and he went in there quite happily. Sometimes he will use it on his own. If I catch him about to go on the floor and put him in the tray he will use it. It’s kept clean, etc. It’s in a private corner, it’s hooded. I guess it is facing the room.....would putting it facing the wall help?

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SleepyKat · 08/09/2019 18:26

Picture for cuteness.

I think I have a defective kitten
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Plump82 · 08/09/2019 18:31

It might be because it's hooded? I've not read many articles that say hooded are good for cats, only for humans. Why dont you try taking the hood off and see how he gets on. He's a gorgeous wee thing!!

TDogsInHats · 08/09/2019 18:32

Whenever I've had a kitten, I've been told to put the litter tray within a few feet of its food. I think at this age they have to go quickly after eating.
Once it's older you can gradually move the litter tray to where you want it.

SleepyKat · 08/09/2019 18:32

Can do, it’s worth a go. The second one in the utility room though isn’t hooded and he doesn’t seem keen on that one either even though it’s in his favourite spot!

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SleepyKat · 08/09/2019 18:33

And this second tray is right by the food.

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madcatladyforever · 08/09/2019 18:33

Eeeek so cute. Look at that little face,

Kittens often get it wrong, my first two (ferals) were always crapping under the sofa. If you point out the error of his ways often enough he will get the hang of it.

Give him a treat everytime you see him coming out of his proper litter tray and nothing when he does it in the other room. He'll soon get the message.

TDogsInHats · 08/09/2019 18:33

Also my dog loves eating cat poo 🤢

TheCatsACunt · 08/09/2019 18:34

He’s beautiful.

What age is he? He looks very young so I’m wondering if he had enough time for his mother to show him the ropes props?

Lunafortheloveogod · 08/09/2019 18:35

all of the above and are you cleaning it with an enzyme cleaner? If he can smell even the faintest trace that we can’t he’ll keep going back to the same spot.. cause it smells like the right idea to him.

OhMyGodTheyKilledKenny · 08/09/2019 18:38

Could it be that he prefers the utility room because the dog can't get in there?

It's quieter and no chance of being disturbed or distracted whilst pooping

SleepyKat · 08/09/2019 18:48

That photo was when we first got him, he was 9 weeks. So he’s now 13, 14 weeks?

Breeder did say his mum had been a terrible mum and ignored the kittens after 4 weeks. I will keep putting him in the tray then and see if he gets the message. Sometimes I randomly put him in and he goes....so I maybe need to do this more frequently.

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SleepyKat · 08/09/2019 18:49

And treats is a good idea!

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Coys61 · 08/09/2019 19:16

What a beautiful kitten. Could it maybe be the type of kitty litter you are using?

SleepyKat · 08/09/2019 19:27

I can certainly try a different one that’s an idea.

Though not sure why he’d sometimes use it and sometimes not. Bless him, I think he’s a bit dim. I got him a cat puzzle toy and all the reviews people are saying their cats worked it out in minutes. Mine just sits there and yowls! Grin

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reddA · 08/09/2019 19:28

No help but my tabby girl is 3 and perches on the edge of the litter tray and pisses against the wall ffs

SleepyKat · 08/09/2019 19:31

@redda have you tried a hooded tray?

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