I have a 4-month-old kitten. I’ve had him since he was 2 months old and he was fully litter-trained and weaned back then.
One evening, I noticed a smell of urine and saw he’d gone in his bed. I gave him a telling-off and cleaned everything up (put his bed in the washing machine).
A few days went by with no issues, but then this morning I caught him getting into position in his bed to pee. I picked him up by the scruff of his neck, showed him what he'd done and scolded him. I then put him in his litter tray to try and show him that's where he should go, but I don’t think he really got the message ^^
- I know I’m going to have him neutered, but I’m not sure what age they can have it done.
If you have any ideas, advice or anything else, I’d really appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!
Translated from French
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I second everything that’s been said.
Telling him off is counterproductive. The cat might think that going to the toilet is wrong, and he’ll just start hiding away to do it anywhere he can. It’ll stress him out, so basically, avoid it.
And scruffing him will just hurt him. It doesn't mean "punishment" to him at all (a mother cat only picks up kittens by the scruff to move them, and that’s it).
Ideally, he should have stayed with his mum until at least 3 months old to be properly socialised, but never mind, it can’t be helped now!
Get him neutered at 6 months, even if this doesn't look like urine marking in this case.
In the short term: take away his bed and protect your fabrics with a plastic sheet if the accidents keep happening.
If there is an accident, don't react, just clean it up.
If he goes on the floor, you can soak up some of the urine with some kitchen roll and put it in the litter tray, so he understands that's where he’s meant to go! Same goes for any poos.
In the future, he might be more comfortable with two litter trays. Some cats don’t like to mix their wees and poos.
Also, go for trays without lids, otherwise the cat might feel too enclosed and go elsewhere!
Hope that helps :)
Hello,
Don’t give them a bed with high sides (it looks far too much like a litter tray).
Try offering them sleeping spots up high, rather than on the floor: cushions on a chair, a cat tree...
Kind regards
Hi there,
First off, don't scold him and never pick a cat up by the scruff of the neck. Also, full weaning (the behavioural side) takes three months, not two.
Most vets will neuter from 6 months onwards, once the testicles are clearly visible. But you can always check with your own vet to see if they’d be willing to do it sooner.
Clean his bed with white vinegar. Add a drop of bleach when you clean out the litter tray to attract him to it. Make sure it’s kept clean (you should scoop out any waste several times a day). You could also try adding a second litter tray with a different type of litter.
