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Cat General => General Cat Chat => Topic started by: Kally on December 30, 2008, 21:56:31 PM

Title: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Kally on December 30, 2008, 21:56:31 PM
this isnt an emergency cause most of the time if he needs toilet in the evening we let him out for 20 mins and he comes straight back but i have a cat that has previously had cystitus hes fine now but we will no longer use the litter tray if hes locked in he would rather use something thats on floor like if theres top on floor infront of the washing machine i can cope with it if no one has any ideas but would obviously rather not have to so i was wondering if anyone had any ideas how i could re-train him hes nearly 4yrs old and very stubborn its almost like hes affraid of using it.
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Desley (booktigger) on December 31, 2008, 11:00:26 AM
Maybe a different tray an litter would work. If not, the other way of re-training a cat is to cage them.
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Millys Mum on December 31, 2008, 18:30:10 PM
Changing the tray so it looks different, different litter or different location, wouldnt say take away current setup but add seconds and see what he thinks. They can often associate the tray with the nasty pain they suffer with cystitis.
With his history it wouldnt hurt to get a sample checked out
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Kally on December 31, 2008, 20:04:11 PM
me and the vet thought he might be associating the tray with pain aswell do you think trying with wood based litter would help its the only other litter we have do you think it would be best also to place it in the spot where he has been peeing in the other room
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Millys Mum on January 01, 2009, 17:33:44 PM
All the experts books iv read say the best litter to try with problem cats is a very fine clay litter which is closest to a cats natural toilet - sand.
Tesco sell tubs called sophisticat choice, which if you get success with is available cheaper on zooplus.

I wouldnt move his tray from the original position but add an extra one at the scene of the crime
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 01, 2009, 17:37:10 PM
My lot all HATE wood based litter.  I would go for something very fine .... Zooplus do a great selection of ultrafine, clumping litters. 
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Kally on January 01, 2009, 21:08:41 PM
i will try it when i can as i say its not desperate cause wen he is desperate he finds his spot and uses that so i can put up with that for know (or i just let him out for 10-20 mins) i might try wood based first cause of the fact that i have some of that right now i have one that will only use woodbased cause its one of the most fragrant cause she has poor(ish) eyesight but thanks if he doesnt go for woodbased i will get the fine litter
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Sam (Fussy_Furball) on January 01, 2009, 21:26:56 PM
With these cases it's often a case of trial and error to see what works best.  Good luck ... I'm sure it'll be OK in the end  :hug:
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Kally on January 01, 2009, 21:42:19 PM
i hope it works out aswell because wed like him to feel comfortable using the litter tray as you never know one day i might have to move from here and definately will take him with me so id rather he use a litter tray that spot on the floor
Title: Re: Re-litter training a cat
Post by: Angiew on January 02, 2009, 16:42:35 PM
try chucking a couple of handfulls of soil on top of the litter