How to litter train an older cat? this is turning into a rehoming thread

[Bazsmum]

This is heartbreaking!  I wish I could step in her shoes cos I'd give him what for....Even more so his mum! 

[Janeyk]

I'd contact rescues in their area asap to see if they'll put them on their homing pages or on a list stating they must go together, some will rehome direct so they'll stay with them until a suitable home is found, wouldn't they be prepared to do that?   

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

Looks like both cats are homeless now, the MIL has said she dont want them back- both of them and told my aunt to phone a rescue to sort them out 

My uncle, the son of the MIL, has said they are not keeping them and he wants them out, even asked me if I wanted them and there is no way I posibly could- so he said they will be going on a car ride and getting dumped  My aunt said no way thats going to happen and she wouldn't let them go to just anyone but I dont know how long her OH's patience will hold out.

She's really upset as her rabbit died last year and it totally broke her, she said she didn't want anymore pets ever as she cant bear to loose them  which I can understand.

This is where my Tia came from and my aunts OH wouldn't let her into the house at all, he would go ballistic even if she was in the garden, so I dont know how long these cats are safe for 

They are both 12 years old so I dont know what their chances in rescue would be  They are both very lovely cats and need to rehomed together, when they were first split Jay, the male was pinning for his sister but he seems happier now they are together 


Any suggestions?

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

Apparently he's using the litter tray now  just the first few days of being scared of the new surroundings I think 

The MIL still dont want him back tho and my uncle has said they dont think they would be keeping him either as he's a big cat  I actually think he's a bit scared of cats 

So whats to become of Jay, I dont know?  watch this space.....

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

Its not my cat Julie  but I did suggest a dog cage to them. They are not "up" on cats shall we say and I have never had this problem with any of mine, thank God.

Thanks for the tips I will pass them on 

[Pinkbear (Julie)]

Do you have a dog crate, CC? Cats are really smart and learn new stuff all the time, even at age 12... you just need to enclose him in a small enough area for a day or so with a tray and he'll get the message. As Mark suggests, put a little poop in the tray and it'll speed up the learning process. 

In fact, a lot of them that learn to use a tray late in life become obsessive diggers - once they've discovered what they've missed they can't use the tray enough.   

[Bazsmum]

  and  is all I can say! I thought she only had one cat?  Defo tell her not to give kitten food... Far too rich... His tum is poss stress related anyway! 

Poor thing must be scared stiff..... and how cold is it??? 

Tell her to put him in dining room over night with a tray of soil or such! 

Sorry for rant just so sad to read this! 

Tell you what.... I will ring her later! 

[Dawn F]

he could probably do with something bland like chicken or white fish - do you think that would be an option?  kitten food might be a bit rich

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

He's had the runs the past few days, so not able to pick them up  My Aunt said the MIL says he's never used a tray, where as the other cat does.

My aunt was told to put him outside on a night before they go to bed to aviod this, so its been going on for sometime  And this was the first night he got there, he went missing untill the next day 

Im not sure where he wee's, I think it would be outside? Ive given them some kitten food for him to try to calm his tummy down but I dont know if that would work? What would stop him from having the runs?

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

I think most cats prefer something loose that they can cover with.  If he's used to soil outside, maybe put some of that in the litter tray (or trays - best get a few and put them where he is going).  And put the poos in the tray like Mark says.  With the wees, if she can clean up with a paper towel and wring it out into the tray (sounds gross I know!) that might give him the idea of where to go.  I hope she manages to resolve the issue and the poor thing doesn't end up being dumped.

[Kay and Penny]

she might try earth or john innes compost if the cat was used to going outside in his previous home

[Mark]

I think the old trick of leaving a piece of poo in the tray works. I'm sure cats prefer a place where they can cover. What kind of litter does she use? - it might be an idea to start with garden dirt and gradually change over to litter.

[Fire Fox]

  Where does he wee? Does he go outside at all? Is there any chance this is stress-related (marking territory), down to having to share a litter tray or not liking the litter that has been supplied? I have to say I don't know how kittens are trained as I have never had one but I would say an adult is as trainable as a kitten with patience, so maybe go back to basics?

[CC & The Pussycat Guys & Dolls]

My aunt is looking after her MIL's cats, one of them will not use the litter tray and has apparently never been tought how to, and he is 12    He keeps pooing round the house and the MIL has said she doesn't want him back and once she gets into her new house, she is taking the female but is going to dump Jay (the one who poops) at a rescue- just dump him outside 

I think my aunt may keep these cats as the MIL is moving to OZ later on in the year, what would be the point in her having them back then?! 

Any suggestions on what to do?