Litter tray avoidance

[postitnot]

Help! Our cat keeps pooing not in the litter tray!

Background: he's only lived with us from the start of July. He's stayed in the house so far as he seems scared of the garden and has his litter trays (2) in the utility room. He was absolutely fine using them at first, but has had a bit of diahorrea in the last fortnight so on advice from the vet he's had just chicken for a few days. But I think he had an accident last week in the kitchen, and now he seems to think he can go there! We have to watch where we walk!

How do I encourage him to go in his tray? I don't really want to move them as I'll be tripping over them in the kitchen....

Argh, just got home from the shops and he's done another poo in the kitchen!

Is his litter too rough and it hurts his paws?

1. Change the type/brand of litter
2. Make sure there is a decent amount in, some cats hate shallow litter
3. Change the litter tray itself, some have sides that are too high
4. Put trays in a difference place, it might feel vulnerable where you have them now

If all else fails get the vet to do a health check. Some cats when in pain start avoiding the litter tray. Its a very good clue.

mine is very picky with his tray - it must be 100% clean and he doesn't like certain cat litters (sensitive paws)

My boy was particular. Had to be talc scented ultra clumping ankle deep in a tray cleaned every day or he’d pee on the hob. When he went to the cattery he chucked his poo everywhere in protest at having to use woodchip.

He was a big tough Bengal too. Beautiful moggy girl is less particular in her needs.

Thanks everyone, will give it a go :(