FAQs

1. Q:

   My cat refuses to use the litter tray. Why is that?

   A:

   There are a number of reasons why your feline friend might not use their litter tray. It could be an issue with the litter tray itself. Maybe it’s too small, difficult to access or in a location that’s too busy or too close to your cat’s food? Or maybe something scared your cat while they were trying to use the litter tray? This could anything from the washing machine hitting its spin cycle to someone playing an instrument in the same room.

   The other thing which will put a cat off its litter box is if it’s a bit whiffy – cats are very clean.

   If none of these things are the problem, you need to think about what might have affected your cat’s behaviour. Has there been a house move, a new pet or a new family member? Unneutered male cats might be marking their territory and non-spray marking can also lead to elimination outside of the litter box.

   Sometimes a cat not using their litter tray can be a sign of a health problem such as bladder discomfort, urinary tract problems or digestive issues. So when you’re cleaning up after an accident, use a white tissue and be on the lookout for tell-tale red dots of blood in the urine (this is one of the reasons we make Catsan™ Hygiene litter white). If you suspect there is a health problem, don’t hesitate to talk to your vet.

2. Q:

   Why does my cat eliminate outside the litter tray?

   A:

   Cats are very clean so if they’re weeing or pooing outside their litter tray, it could well be because their litter tray isn’t clean enough for them. Once you know it meets your cat’s exacting standards, think about other things that might be putting your cat off. Is the litter tray positioned somewhere too busy? Is it too small for your cat to turn around in and dig? Have you recently changed your cat litter?

   Once you’ve ruled out all these issues, the next step is to take your cat to the vet to make sure your cat isn’t territory marking or suffering from a health problem (arthritis, for example, could make it trickly for your cat to get in and out of their litter tray).

3. Q:

   How can I teach my cat to use the litter tray?

   A:

   If you’ve only recently got your kitten or cat and they don’t yet know how to use a litter tray, you’ll need to show them how. The best way to do this is to establish a routine where you set your feline friend in the litter tray immediately after mealtimes or after waking up from a nap. They’ll soon get the idea and, in the meantime, if there are any ‘accidents’ along the way, don’t yell or punish your cat – they respond much better to positive encouragement.

4. Q:

   How do I teach an outdoor cat to use the litter tray?

   A:

   Sometimes you need to teach a cat who has always gone to the toilet outside how to use a litter box. As well as following the tips above, it’s worth picking up one of your cat’s ‘gifts’ from the garden (make sure it’s definitely from your cat!) and placing it in the litter box – your cat will quickly get the hint. In fact, the whole housetraining process is likely to be a speedy one. Cats far outshine their doggy counterparts in this area!