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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

Struggling with toilet training kittens

15 replies

41sunnydays · 03/07/2021 16:34

Our kittens are about 18 weeks old and after a few accidents when then moved in, they have been really good with using the litter tray for poo and wee's. But one is using a couple of areas in the house for wee's and I'm struggling with how to deter him from doing this. I can't tell if it's one or both of them as they won't keep a collar on at the moment and looks so similar.

Any suggestions or advice?

Also any advice for what to use to neutralise the smell as we can't open any windows at the moment due to them not going yet, so my husband is not pleased at having a stinky house 😢

OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 03/07/2021 16:57

Amazon or pets at home sell simple solution for odours, I used to clean with it then spray it on neat.

Were the kittens fully trained when you got them? Usually they learn from mum.

dementedpixie · 03/07/2021 18:07

Could you get a second tray and put it where they are doing the toilet? Maybe they have an issue with the litter you are using too. What type do you use?

Original poster
41sunnydays · 03/07/2021 20:37

I'm not sure how trained they were from their mum....

We have found 4 areas that they are doing wee's in so a litter tray in each would be a bit of a nightmare. Especially as they are next to our sofa!

OP posts:
Original poster
41sunnydays · 03/07/2021 20:38

@dementedpixie

Could you get a second tray and put it where they are doing the toilet? Maybe they have an issue with the litter you are using too. What type do you use?
We are using catsan as that was what I was told they used before they came to us
OP posts:
Fluffycloudland77 · 03/07/2021 21:10

Where did you get them from?. Was it rural?.

ScottishNewbie · 03/07/2021 21:36

How strange! My kittens have never gone outside of the litter tray. Usually, cats are very clean and prefer to do their business in an allocated area.
I highly recommend Biokat Litter from Amazon. Catsan didn't work for us at all.
My two boys share a litter tray. I tip in a full bag which then lasts me 2 ish weeks. I scoop out the clumps every night and there are no smells at all.

I would recommend a litter change to see if that helps!

ScottishNewbie · 03/07/2021 21:44

I would also highly recommend Pet Remedy plugins. It will help with any stress they may have Smile

SimonJT · 03/07/2021 21:46

How many litter trays do you have?
Where are they situated?
How often as they cleaned?
What are you cleaning accidents with?

Kenji · 03/07/2021 21:53

You need at least one tray per cat, and many people would say an extra one too. Try keep the kittens in 1 room, such as a kitchen, with everything they need in the room, trays, food, water, toys. It could be they're so busy playing they can't make it back to the tray in time so by containing them this could help. Make sure you're cleaning the accidents with an appropriate cleaner as bleach will only encourage them to use that spot again. If the problem persist then a visit to the vet would be a good idea as it can be a sign of illness or stress also.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 03/07/2021 23:25

We adopted two adult cats three weeks ago. The Monday just gone was the first day they were allowed outside.

They don't really want to go to the toilet outside. They have litter trays at night as we haven't yet had a cat flap fitted. We leave the patio door open all day when we are here.

However, there are still accidents. (Or is it deliberate ?) Seems deliberate, though. I accept we need to be patient but anyone got any tips ?

Are we confusing them by having the litter trays at night ? They still poo and wee on the kitchen floor where the litter trays are placed. One of them did a wee on the front door mat.

A PP said plug in a Pet Remedy plug ins. Anything else ?

dementedpixie · 04/07/2021 08:47

Do you mean you are taking the trays away during the day?

Leave the trays in place day and night. They might choose to do the toilet outside but they may not. It took a few months before mine decided they would prefer to do the toilet outside. We still have a tray though

ToffeeNotCoffee · 04/07/2021 10:16

Yes, we take the litter trays during the day when we are here and the patio door is open.

We've now reinstated the litter trays so they can choose whether to go to the toilet inside or outside.

(Sorry for the thread hi-jack OP)

OnTheSeaShore · 04/07/2021 10:33

Check up with the vet. My kitten did this due to a urinary infection

Fluffycloudland77 · 04/07/2021 10:52

@ToffeeNotCoffee, it’s desperation. Kittens raised indoors don’t instinctively know they can do their business outside because they’ve only seen litter trays.

ToffeeNotCoffee · 05/07/2021 10:08

@DementedPixie and @Fluffycloudland77 many thanks.

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