Litter tray problems!

[JonSnowsCloak]

We have adopted two kittens from rescue (brother and sister) and seem to be settling in OK, very playful and curious but the sister doesn't seem to want use either litter tray. She either poos or wees right next to it or has taken to going behind the TV in the corner. Tried moving them to more secluded spots, putting her next to the litter tray after food, not sure what else to try? They seem bonded in that they sleep together and play together a lot, but I have noticed he bullies her a bit with food and I'm not sure whether that is an issue? I've tried putting the trays in seperate rooms (they have free run of downstairs after slowly introducing each room). They are 11 weeks and we've had them about 10 days now. Brother seems fine with it all I had to stalk them to spot who it was! We don't leave them alone for long periods either as I work from home so longest has only been a couple of hours so far. I've had kittens before but a few years back and I don't remember any issues apart from a couple of accidents. Just after any advice really if we may have stressed them out somehow or its something else?

What litter are you using? Is it the same one that are used to? She might not like the texture of your current one so you could add another tray with different litter in it. I think they generally prefer finer textured litter. Also try a covered litter box or open if you are currently using a covered one.

Make sure you thoroughly clean the area with a specific pet cleaner to ensure the scent doesn't draw her back there.

The general rule is a litter box per cat and then an extra one. That is what we have with our two who we got very recently, although our previous two indoor cats shared one tray between them 🤷

Can they actually get into the tray. Are the sides too high for them. I second trying very fine grained litter. I also think it's a myth that there needs to be two trays. I've only ever had one tray. When I tried a second it wasn't touched.

It sounds like the boy cat is dominating the space leaving girl cat feeling insecure and unable to establish any territory for herself. Are they both fed in the same place? Cats aren't always happy eating near other cats so as well as trying more litter trays spread out in different parts of the house, it may be worth trying to feed them separately as well, or at least place their food bowls as far apart as possible. Location of litter trays is also important, so not where lots of people are walking by but also not in a crowded corner which limits exit opportunities as this can make a cat feel vulnerable. They're still settling in so I'm sure things will improve as she gains confidence in her new surroundings.

Use the same litter that they were using at the rescue and then slowly swap it over to whatever you want to use.

Thank you all :) the rescue advised using the wood pellets they were on but we've tried Catsan and moving the litter tray to a quieter corner and it seems to have done the trick!!