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The litter tray

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Original poster

New cat won't go to the toilet!

21 replies

ohIdoliketobebesidethesea · 29/09/2021 16:38

This is the first time we have owned a cat. We picked her up today, she is approx 2 years (rescue).
I have two small children so I put her bed and scratching post ect in my bedroom upstairs so that she can settle in there and come down to see us at her own pace.
This seems to be working well as she has been sat in the sun on the window sill all day and occasionally comes downstairs for her food or for a bit of fuss.

However her litter tray is in the downstairs bathroom, I've shown her to it a couple of times. She's also come downstairs a couple of times and gone in there on her own to have a look around but she still hasn't been! She's eaten her food (wet food) but not really touched her water but I'm worried it's been 7 hours and she hasn't been yet.
She was using the litter tray at the rescue centre so she does know how to use it and the centre also gave us some of her litter to put on top of the new stuff so she gets her scent ect.

OP posts:
PippaOwl · 29/09/2021 16:40

You picked her up today?

What's the rush? Honestly, try and relax. Cats will go in their own time. She knows where it is. They're very good at holding it for a long old time so you could have quite the wait on your hands.

Original poster
ohIdoliketobebesidethesea · 29/09/2021 16:41

@PippaOwl

You picked her up today?

What's the rush? Honestly, try and relax. Cats will go in their own time. She knows where it is. They're very good at holding it for a long old time so you could have quite the wait on your hands.

Sorry I probably seem a bit crazy! But the only pets I'm used to are dogs/puppies so I'm used to having to watch them to see when they need to go ect
OP posts:
Beamur · 29/09/2021 16:43

Cats can hold for quite a while. She may be waiting for night time

Allergictoironing · 29/09/2021 17:04

Mine didn't use the tray for either wee or poo for 2 days when they came home, but have never had an accident in over 5 years, so don't worry yet.

gogohm · 29/09/2021 17:39

Dcat didn't go for at least 2 days when we took her in and refused to use the litter tray, after about 4 weeks she started using the garden rather than the carpet! (Not a kitten also refuses to use the cat flap!)

TroysMammy · 29/09/2021 17:45

Haribo doesn't like anyone knowing he's using his litter tray. It was raining heavily yesterday and he didn't want to go out and get wet. He fussed around for ages but I went to the shop for milk and when I got back he'd weed in his tray in my absence.

Fluffycloudland77 · 29/09/2021 22:10

She’ll go when your in bed.

Mumdiva99 · 30/09/2021 06:50

I would be tempted to pop another tray upstairs for now. So it's a safer journey for her....not so far from the bedroom. (But you might find it was used in the night anyway....)

Mybalconyiscracking · 30/09/2021 06:51

You probably need a litter tray upstairs as well for a couple of days.

KatherineJaneway · 30/09/2021 07:03

She was waiting for nighttime I suspect.

ArblemarchTFruitbat · 30/09/2021 07:07

A new cat can take ages to use the litter tray - it took my boy cat about three days! They can hold their wee and poo in much longer than we can - in the wild, it's a marker for predators so they are programmed to hold it when they sense a risk. A new cat will be checking things out and deciding whether it's safe to go at this stage.

You're doing the right thing giving her plenty of space away from your DC. Make sure no one approaches her when she's exploring - let her come to you. She needs to feel she's undisturbed and safe before she puts herself in the vulnerable position of using the litter tray.

Original poster
ohIdoliketobebesidethesea · 30/09/2021 07:22

Thanks for all the replies. She has finally gone to the toilet this morning! She's still mainly staying upstairs in one room but she has come down a couple of times and nearly come in to the room we are all in so I think we are definitely making progress

OP posts:
Cazzovuoi · 30/09/2021 07:24

It takes time. They need space and time to adjust. Just go about your day and she’ll come round.

I am surprised that you’ve posted about a new cat and not shared any photos. Don’t you know the litter box rules op? Grin

Original poster
ohIdoliketobebesidethesea · 30/09/2021 07:41

@Cazzovuoi

It takes time. They need space and time to adjust. Just go about your day and she’ll come round.

I am surprised that you’ve posted about a new cat and not shared any photos. Don’t you know the litter box rules op? Grin

Haha sorry I'm new to the litter box so I'm still learning! Grin
New cat won't go to the toilet!
OP posts:
Rookie93 · 30/09/2021 07:45

She's lovely, Flowers

ArblemarchTFruitbat · 30/09/2021 07:46

Oh, she's got a little eye-patch - that's so cute!

Cazzovuoi · 30/09/2021 08:00

She is gorgeous Grin congratulations op

icedcoffees · 30/09/2021 08:19

Gorgeous!

Cats can hold it for hours - my adults often only go once a day Smile

Mumdiva99 · 30/09/2021 08:29

What a cutie. How old is she?

Mumdiva99 · 30/09/2021 08:30

Sorry ignore just aren't she's 2.

BorderlineHappy · 02/10/2021 12:24

Ah what a beauty 😻

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