Litter tray success: how to keep good habits going

Your kitten already knows how — just don't undo it

Kittens learn to use a litter tray very quickly, usually from their mother. So a new owner's job is less about teaching and more about creating conditions in which the kitten keeps using the tray happily. Most "litter tray problems" actually come down to an uncomfortable tray, a poor location or dirty litter.

Choosing a tray

• Size. International Cat Care recommends a tray about one and a half times the length of your cat from nose to the base of the tail. A small kitten can start with a smaller tray, but replace it as your kitten grows.
• Side height. Kittens — and short-legged munchkins even more so — find it easier to get into a tray with low sides or a cut-out entrance.
• Open or covered. A covered tray looks tidier, but some cats feel trapped inside. If your cat is reluctant to use a covered tray, try taking off the flap or the lid.

At first, it's best to skip disposable liners and self-cleaning automatic trays, as they can frighten a kitten.

How many trays, and where

The general rule is one tray per cat plus one extra. Even for a single cat, two trays in different places give it a choice: some cats prefer separate trays for different needs. If your home has more than one floor, put a tray on each.

The spot should be:

• quiet, away from walkways and noisy appliances such as the washing machine;
• away from food and water bowls;
• not next to the front door or large windows, where your cat might feel threatened;
• easy to reach: a kitten shouldn't have to search for the tray when it needs to go.

Don't put several trays right next to each other, as your cat may see them as one big tray. And don't move the tray unless you have to. If a move can't be avoided, set up a new tray in the new spot first and remove the old one once your cat has started using it.

Litter

For the first few weeks, use the same litter your kitten had at the cattery: it will recognize it and know what it's for. If you want to switch later, do it gradually by mixing the new litter into the old.

Most cats prefer fine, unscented, sand-like litter, and many like clumping litter. Scented litters are often off-putting to cats, whose sense of smell is far more sensitive than ours. Aim for a layer about 3 cm deep so your kitten can dig and cover.

Keeping it clean

Cats dislike dirty trays and may start avoiding them. So:

• scoop out clumps and solids at least once a day, ideally twice;
• regularly replace all the litter and wash the tray — how often depends on the type of litter, as clumping litter needs a full change less often than non-clumping;
• wash the tray with hot water and a mild detergent, and rinse it well.

Be careful with disinfectants: some, including phenolic products that turn cloudy in water, are toxic to cats. Choose pet-safe products and always rinse them off thoroughly.

Homes with more than one pet

If you already have cats, your kitten needs a tray of its own. Spread trays around different parts of the home so no cat can "guard" the way to the toilet. Make sure older cats, a dog or children don't bother your kitten while it's using the tray: a cat that gets a fright in the tray may start looking for somewhere else to go. And avoid spots where your kitten could easily be cornered.

If there's an accident

Never punish your cat. Shouting, rubbing its nose in it or any other punishment will only frighten it and make things worse. Instead:

• clean the spot with an enzymatic cleaner made for cat urine, and avoid ammonia-based products — to a cat they smell like urine and may draw it back to the same spot;
• think about what has changed: the tray's location, the litter, cleanliness, visitors, renovation work, a new pet;
• for a few days, gently place your kitten in the tray after it wakes up and after meals;
• if accidents keep happening, see your vet: litter tray problems sometimes have a medical cause, and that's the first thing to rule out.

If your cat is straining in the tray and producing little or no urine, contact a vet urgently — don't wait.

The takeaway

A roomy tray with a low entrance, a quiet spot away from food, familiar unscented litter and daily scooping are the four ingredients of a good habit. If something goes wrong, look for the cause together with your vet rather than punishing your cat.