Why Won’t my Cat Use Her Litter Tray? 3 Step Plan

One of the most perplexing events of cat ownership is when elimination happens outside of the cat litter tray. One or two instances may not set off alarm bells, but if you’re finding “surprises” regularly, it’s time to take action.

1) Clean House

The first step is to scrub the spots that kitty treated as a toilet, and empty, clean, and refill the cat litter tray. Do not use vinegar, which will increase the acidity in the area and invite bacteria and odour. Use soap and water or an extractor with or without enzymes made specifically for pet messes. Dry by blotting or with a hair dryer to reduce likelihood of bacteria growth.

The cat litter tray can be cleaned with soap and water, a solution mixed from the cat mess cleaner, or a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts water. Make sure that the clean tray is rinsed thoroughly, as many cats won’t like the smell of soap or bleach left over in the tray.

2) Experiment with Tray Types, Numbers, Placement, and Litter

Believe it or not, even a cat who has only had one litter tray for most of his life might like another. The rule among “cat folk” is that the amount of trays in the home should equal the number of cats plus one. Ideally, the trays should be placed in different rooms, but having a couple in one room may be fine for multiple cats.

There are many reasons to supply cats with extra trays:
1) Some cats don’t like sharing a litter tray with other cats.
2) As a cat ages, he might prefer that the tray be closer as it becomes harder to “hold it.”
3) If the litter tray is placed near a loud appliance the cat may not feel safe going there. Or, he may simply prefer one spot over another, being the finicky type that most cats are.

You might also think about experimenting with different litter types. There are crystals, scoopable, wood chips, and recycled papers. Some cats have sensitive paws or dislike certain textures for mysterious reasons known only to felines. Some cats have a urine chemistry that mixes poorly with some litter brands, causing smells that turn off both the cat and you!

Cats can be picky about the build of the litter tray as well. Some cats are too big to fit in covered trays well, while other cats may prefer the privacy. Older cats may prefer a tray with lower sides that’s easier to walk into and out of.

3) Examine Health & Stress Factors

Some cats begin “forgetting” where the cat litter tray is because of health reasons. For example, if slight constipation causes pain when going, a cat might try to “escape” the pain by escaping from the place she was when the pain occurred. The same thing goes for stomach pain and diarrhea. These two issues have countless causes, and your cat should be seen by a vet if this is happening.

And finally, some alpha cats will stalk another cat from outside the litter tray, making the cat in the tray feel stressed. Would you want someone staring at you while you were busy in the toilet? Even the most social of cats need privacy at times.

Another cause of stress that should be looked into could include a sudden change or move, either in dwellings, another pet or human in the home, or the litter tray itself. Cats are complex creatures. They love to explore as much as they love predictability. They love company as much as they love independence. And they will love you for helping them keep their litter trays clean, happy, and safe.

Choosing a Cat Litter Tray

Dealing with cat litter is probably one of the biggest drawbacks to owning a cat.  While we love their furry faces, affectionate nose bumping and playful moments,  few cat owners relish the task of cleaning up their pet´s toilet area.  Fortunately there are a large variety of litter trays that reduce odour and make cleaning quick and easy.

Basic rectangular plastic litter trays cost just a few pounds,  but it is well worth upgrading to a slightly more expensive version to save on mess, smells and hassle.  Cat urine is slightly corrosive, so line a plastic litter tray with newspaper or a litter tray liner to keep the tray from becoming pitted and difficult to clean.  Using a clumping litter allows you to scoop out any urine regularly without the need to fully empty and clean the tray, keeping the litter tray fresher.  Some cat litter also contains deodorizing ingredients which help to reduce nasty smells, and this type of cat litter is well worth investing in, especially if you have more than one cat in your home.

A cat litter tray with a rim can stop litter from being kicked out of the tray while your cat is scratching.  Some cat litter trays also feature higher walls at the back and sides to protect against this problem even further.

However, the peak of cat litter tray design is the fully enclosed style which provides a little privacy for cats while keeping everything discreetly hidden from any humans in the room.  These litter trays come with a hood or cover which stops any litter from escaping, and air filters to help eliminate odors.  The downsize is that these litter trays resemble cat carriers, so some cats may be put off switching from a conventional open tray to an enclosed one.