How to get kittens to use the litter tray?

[ChampagneCommunist]

Two new kittens, occasionally one will use the tray - but more by luck that a conscious decision, I think.

They are using the area quite close to the tray, but not the tray itself.

Any ideas?

Are they actually litter trained?
With mine, every time they had eaten or drunk, I put them in a tray. I had them in a small space (living room, kitchen, hall only) do the 2 trays were very close at all times and if one looked likely to be about to go, I whizzed them into a tray quickly. Took about 3 days for them to be totally reliable, although they had been using a litter tray when I got them at 8 weeks.

@Crylittlesister I'm not sure that they are litter trained; it's so hot & miss

What age are they? I got mine at 8 weeks and they were already trained as their mum had taught them what to do. Maybe they don't like your choice of litter. How long have you had them?

They are about 10 weeks, I think.

I have had them a week and am using wood pellets.

You think they might be picky? They had catsan before I got them

You should start off with the litter they are used to and then gradually add in the litter you want to use.

Pop them in the litter tray every now and then. Let them get out of it themselves. Repeat for a few days and fingers crossed

Get whatever litter they are used to and gradually change it over to what you prefer, although some cats are v fussy about what the pee on and will protest pee if slave gets
It wrong!

Some cats are very particular about what litter they use for many reasons. Just because you want to use a certain type of litter doesn't mean you should. Some cats have very sensitive feet and it hurts using the litter. I have a cat with permanently swollen pads due to allergies and he won't use anything bigger in size than a powder. If you want them to use the litter tray give them a type of litter they are happy to use. If they are using the area around the litter tray they obviously know that is the area they should be using so you need to change the litter and make sure the tray is a decent size. Also wash down the area they are currently using with bio washing powder/ liquid as this breaks down the proteins in their urine, taking the smell away, do not use bleach that will encourage the peeing.

Off to get some catsan!

Get the catsan again and see if the litter is the problem.
They are gorgeous

Spitting images of my oap cats!! Lovely.

Let us know if things improve litter wise !

Mine hated wood pellets too. Had to be ultra clumping or I’d be cleaning up puddles.