I adopted a 4-month-old kitten two weeks ago. He didn't have a mum around and was taken in by a rescue centre with one of his brothers when he was just two weeks old.
So, he didn't really have the best start with his weaning.
Anyway,
He's a happy little thing who eats well, plays a lot and loves a cuddle...
The problem is, he’s not quite grasped how to use his litter tray properly. When he tries to cover his poo, he ends up stepping in it and flicking bits to the other side of the tray... he also gets litter all over his back paws. As a result, he smells quite a bit, and when I catch him in the act, I have to wipe his paws as soon as he hops out.
In his foster home, they used plant-based litter and a hooded litter tray, so they aren't sure if he was already doing this... at mine, I'm using Catsan* and a standard open tray which is in a quiet spot and, obviously, not in the same room as his food.
What can I do to help him understand that he needs to cover it up without walking in it?
I'm thinking of buying some wood pellet litter to see if that helps...
Thanks!!!
Translated from French
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Hi, I’m having the same problem mentioned earlier. My cat is nearly 7 months old, and when she has a poo she digs frantically without paying any attention, so she steps in it and gets it everywhere, and then she spreads it all over the flat. Every night I’m waking up to clean her and it’s honestly exhausting. Whenever she starts digging I tell her off and take her out of her litter tray, but she doesn't understand at all. I really need some help please, because I’m on the verge of sending her back to the rescue 😭
Same problem here, and he bolts as soon as I try to catch him to clean him up. He’s getting it absolutely everywhere (rugs, sofa, bed...), it’s a real struggle. If anyone’s got a solution, I’m all ears.
Hi, I’ve got exactly the same problem with my kitten, who’s nearly 4 months old.
He goes to the litter tray normally and does a poo which lands right by his back legs. Then, as soon as he turns around to sniff it, he manages to step right in it. After that, he starts scratching like a maniac. He gets it everywhere, steps in it (obviously), and goes back for another sniff. Because it’s not buried properly, he just keeps going until the poo ends up in a thousand tiny pieces!! When I catch him doing it, I let him try to bury it once and then I tell him off so he stops.
It’s honestly exhausting living with the constant worry of poo-covered paws, especially since his lordship can’t stand wipes and hates having his paws washed even more (he screams as if I’m torturing him).
Hi, I’m having the same problem with a kitten in the same boat; he was probably weaned a bit too early. It’s a real nightmare because he’s getting poo everywhere with his little paws... Could you let us know how things turned out in the end? Thanks.
Hi,
Regarding the issue of them stepping in poo, I’m afraid I don't have much else to suggest beyond what’s already been mentioned above (scooping the litter tray daily and cleaning their dirty paws).
To stop litter sticking to their paws, I use a synthetic doormat like this one from a DIY shop (it’s much cheaper than the gadgets you see on specialist pet websites) and it catches 99% of the litter from my cats' paws when they hop out of their trays.
I’m having the same problem with my cat, who is already 6 months old. I use a hooded litter tray.
Whenever I notice he’s just stepped in his poo, I pick him up and take him into the shower. He’s not a big fan of me washing his paws, but I don’t have any other choice.
I pretty much agree with the other comments. Your kitten has already figured out that he’s supposed to do his business in the litter tray. The issue might not actually be down to his weaning. I’ve adopted stray cats that were properly weaned by their mum and lived outdoors, and they picked it up very quickly. Just give your kitty a bit of time. You could perhaps try a hooded litter tray. Maybe give silica crystal litter a go too. It doesn't stick to their paws, which is much nicer. It is a bit more pricey, though. Also, try to scoop out any mess as often as possible... he’ll surely get the hang of doing it properly as he gets older.
Thanks for your reply. I probably didn't make myself very clear. He does cover his business, so that’s not the problem. The issue is he’s just so clumsy; he steps in his poo every single time and flings some of it to the other side of the litter tray while he's digging. The most annoying thing is that he steps right in it while he’s covering up and gets litter all over his back paws too. It means I’m always having to wipe his paws for him.
