swisslet
Our cat - who is 1 and we picked up from the RSPCA yesterday - is using our shower tray as a toilet. She is apparently litter trained, and has a tray available filled with her usual litter. Any suggestions how we break this habit? She’s going to be indoors for the next 4-6 weeks, and although there are worse places she could be going, it would be better if we could break this before it becomes a habit. #cats #catsofmastodon
Dec 20, 2022 at 12:15pmWeb
Show threadAlvi cat channelDec 20, 2022
@swisslet
There are many different reasons for this behavior. What might help is too use cat litter that is a as smooth & sandy as possible. This combined with spraying some lemon juice on the shower tray. Good luck!
Show threadswissletDec 20, 2022
@alvicatchannel thanks. Apparently she’s used to using woodchips, but I’ll give that a go.
Show threadAlvi cat channelDec 20, 2022
@swisslet Just think of what you would prefer to have under your feet and then think of what the cat (with far more sensitive paws than a human) would prefer.... Probably the same! There's always some reason for a cat's behavior, but it can be difficult to find out... Hope you'll succeed :)
Show threadMattDec 20, 2022
@swisslet "trained" is one thing. But not all cats are trained with cat litter. My mum used to use old newspaper. Maybe your cat doesn't like the litter in the tray. *shrug
Show threadPeteDec 20, 2022
@swisslet keep the bathroom door closed. Remove the opportunity.
Show threadSianDec 20, 2022
@swisslet can you put the litter tray in the shower tray for now (while you're not using it, obviously!) If you only got her yesterday it's probably just nerves. If you put her tray where she's going, till she uses it, then slowly move it to where you want it, that might work.
Show threadthat weird queer (they/them)Dec 20, 2022
@Funktious @swisslet — This. Tho I’m lazy and would put it next to vs in the tray. 😅 There’s also “Litter Attract” which is an additive that I’ve had success with before.
Show threaderzsebel she/herDec 21, 2022
@swisslet could be a stress behaviour. Our vets suggested a pheromone plugin when Henry kept pissing on the curtains. Also making his litter tray as private as possible, keeping it very clean, and keeping him out of the area he had decided was his toilet. Nothing really worked, but Henry was one screwed up cat.
Show threadswissletDec 21, 2022
@erzsebel the RSPCA told us in the check up call that she was like this when they first got her too. She seems otherwise relaxed, so we’re getting another tray and will give her every opportunity. She’ll likely be okay once she can go outside anyway, but let’s hope she cracks it before then, as that’s a month away.
Show threadswissletDec 21, 2022
@erzsebel (we have a plug-in. She pee-d right by it this morning!)
Show threaderzsebel she/herDec 21, 2022
@swisslet yes, we were advised to put a litter tray by the place he kept peeing. That might have been when I drew the line, the house is not big enough for multiple litter trays, alongside washing the long curtains every few days. I hope she settles soon, I'm sure she will.
Show threadswissletDec 21, 2022
@erzsebel right now.
Show threaderzsebel she/herDec 21, 2022
@swisslet gorgeous kitty 🐈
Show threadswissletDec 21, 2022
@erzsebel I just caught her on the kitchen counter licking the butter. We both have a lot to learn.
Show threaderzsebel she/herDec 21, 2022
@swisslet She is more agile than you are used to cats being.
Show threadswissletDec 21, 2022
@erzsebel she sure is. Even before she was old, our last cat wasn’t this lithe and climby. I don’t think I ever saw her on a kitchen counter.