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The litter tray

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Original poster

New Cat - Won't Poo in Tray!

11 replies

HerbyWitch · Yesterday 21:27

Can anyone give me any pointers pretty please?

I got my new cat last Sunday - 19th April. He is 4 in August. He was a rescue, a former stray. He's lovely. However I am struggling to get him to poop in his litter tray. He will use the tray for wees, no problem, but he is pooping wherever he feels like. Ovbiously, we have only had him for a week tomorrow, so it could be settling in issues. He has had maybe 2 poops in the tray since I got him, the rest are in the kitchen, in the fireplace, under the stairs....

I don't make any fuss, I just clean it up, spray etc. and get on with it. Truthfully, i'd rather it was poop than pee, but I don't want this to continue! Any ideas?

OP posts:
HipsterHighStreet · Yesterday 21:30

There are lots of possible reasons… one of my cats will only poo in an open litter box. He’ll wee in a box with a cover but not poo in it. It took me forever to figure out what the issue was.

Original poster
HerbyWitch · Yesterday 21:32

I've just ordered another box off amazon, to arrive tomorrow, which I'm going to slot into the side of the open fireplace in the dining room. I'm not really bothered, which sounds gross, but hopefully people know what I mean! I expect issues with any rescue cat/dog, i'm more worried that he is stressed and afraid to toilet comfortably!

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HipsterHighStreet · Yesterday 21:33

Also wondering - is he your only cat?
Aforementioned cat used to poo on our beds when we first got him (I know, I know). In that case it was pretty easy to see that he was claiming us in a show of dominance over our other cat, although they got on well. Luckily that phase didn’t last 😅

Judystilldreamsofhorses · Yesterday 21:33

Do you have more than one tray? Some cats like one for wee and one for poo. My friend’s rescue refused to poo in the tray initially (was going on her - friend’s - bed) and she ended up filling the tray with compost/soil because the cat had previously been used to toileting outdoors. Once she started using the tray she began to mix in litter, reducing the soil gradually. Cat now toilets in the tray happily with no soil, just regular litter.

HipsterHighStreet · Yesterday 21:34

I do know what you mean - new pets take time to settle in. If you’re used to animals then you accept that. It’s a bit like potty training a child!

Original poster
HerbyWitch · Yesterday 21:36

HipsterHighStreet · Yesterday 21:33

Also wondering - is he your only cat?
Aforementioned cat used to poo on our beds when we first got him (I know, I know). In that case it was pretty easy to see that he was claiming us in a show of dominance over our other cat, although they got on well. Luckily that phase didn’t last 😅

Yes, only cat. I did lose my boy last Saturday, he was knocked down :-( So the house will very much still smell like him.

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Original poster
HerbyWitch · Yesterday 21:37

Judystilldreamsofhorses · Yesterday 21:33

Do you have more than one tray? Some cats like one for wee and one for poo. My friend’s rescue refused to poo in the tray initially (was going on her - friend’s - bed) and she ended up filling the tray with compost/soil because the cat had previously been used to toileting outdoors. Once she started using the tray she began to mix in litter, reducing the soil gradually. Cat now toilets in the tray happily with no soil, just regular litter.

Only one tray. I have just ordered another though which is coming tomorrow, and I intend to pop into where he has been choosing to use as his toilet!

OP posts:
Original poster
HerbyWitch · Yesterday 21:38

HipsterHighStreet · Yesterday 21:34

I do know what you mean - new pets take time to settle in. If you’re used to animals then you accept that. It’s a bit like potty training a child!

Exactly! Plus, i'd rather be dealing with (sorry) solid, easy to pick up poops, than cat wee!

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jellybeanlover2 · Yesterday 21:40

I had this with two rescue cats, put lots of litter trays down, change the litter often, be patient, it took a few months to sort out. also they didn’t like the clumping litter.

Original poster
HerbyWitch · Yesterday 21:46

jellybeanlover2 · Yesterday 21:40

I had this with two rescue cats, put lots of litter trays down, change the litter often, be patient, it took a few months to sort out. also they didn’t like the clumping litter.

Oh really? That's interesting, thank you. I asked the rescue about the litter and they said they just use whatever is donated, and that he had used the tray with no problems. I bought Catit clumping litter, which is great to deal with, but maybe he doesn't like that. Poor little boy had been found straying, adopted at christmas time, and returned after a week, until I got him last week. He's bound to be unsettled. Plus he's super cute!

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Original poster
HerbyWitch · Yesterday 22:08

It won't let me post the obligatory photo but he is black and white. Mostly black. White little tippy toes. Some white on his chest. He also likes to sit with his tongue slightly poking out Grin He is OBSESSED with food. (ex-stray - understandable!) He has firmly bonded with me, I cannot go for a wee without him on my feet. He has the most ANNOYING meow Grin

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