Hi,
I wonder if anyone out there can help.
I have 2 cats, our older cat uses an indoor litter tray for her toilet, the younger cat, Sophie, likes to go outdoors in our garden. Unfortunately our garden is currently under about a foot of snow, and Sophie really doesn't like the stuff!
So here's the problem - Sophie won't use the litter tray at all, doesn't like it even when it's been freshly changed, won't set a paw in it. She seems to be managing ok for weeing as there is a part of the path that isn't covered in snow and I suspect she is weeing there. However, she won't walk on the snow so doesn't seem to be able to get anywhere outside for soiling. We've just managed to stop her going behind our TV (who knows why she wants to go there?!?) and I shut her in the kitchen with me, but putting her in the litter tray had her going into the most amazing contortions and getting pretty stressed out, even though she was desperate to go. She ended up going on a piece of newpaper, which at least was easy to clean up!
I can't make her use the litter tray, I don't like her going elsewhere but given the choice of newspaper in the kitchen and behind my TV I'd prefer the former!
Any thoughts on how I can make this easier for her please? And no, clearing a path in the garden for her isn't really an option.
With love,
Amber
Hi Amber Lady
If your cat is used to outside soil, then she may prefer plant soil in the tray ( without the cover).
Leave her to explore the tray. Reward her for going near the tray.
She could be putt off using it bcs your other cat uses it.
🙂 x
Penny has said what I was going to say, try her with some soil in a tray.
She may find that more acceptable.
Good luck.
Or, stick with the newspaper, and confine her to the kitchen. We have two male cats. The old guy will use the tray, but the younger one won't - even as a kitten he would only use newspaper, so he was confined to the kitchen and washroom at night-time, or if we were out of the house, with newspaper everywhere, and even a litter tray with shredded newspaper in it (which he did use alot). He seems to like the snow, and if we leave him outside long enough, he has to poo! I make sure that he is out of the house when I take the dog for a walk, which is usually for an hour, and during that time he generally does what he needs to do, then sits on the window sill till we get back. Penny1 has a point - some cats won't use the same tray as others, no matter how thoroughly you may clean it.
I'm having the same problem with one of my kitties, caught him twice trying to go on the fire logs we store in the lounge, must enjoy that earthy smell! and he's even peed in the bath before now! fact is, cats just hate going out in this weather! They just love their creature comforts too much if you ask me lol. I think soil may be better in the tray for yours though, as the smell is familiar.
Thanks everyone...not sure where we get soil from though given that the ground is covered in snow and frozen solid and we can't get off the drive to go to the garden centre!
I don't think it's just that the litter tray is used by the other cat - we have had a second litter tray in the past and she's still gone on the paper that was next to the new, fresh litter tray.
Newspaper in the kitchen it is then...hope we have a thaw soon!
:033:
My cats must be mad - they love going out in the snow!
My cats must be mad - they love going out in the snow!
My ginger tom thinks her can fly over the snow, well he works hard trying to do it:eek: