Cat Litter Trays

[Gill1941]

Could anyone, please, help. One of my cats is refusing to use the litter tray. I am at my wits end as it is not easy for me to clean the floor after her.
I have 2 cats with 2 litter trays and everything has been good for over 9 months. Both enclosed trays but she won't even use it when I take the lid off. In fact she goes in the empty lid which I had left beside the tray.
Any suggestions, please? Also, can anyone recommend a good litter, perhaps she is tired of this one.

[pastafreak]

Is this a recent change in behaviour? How old is she?
This article may offer some help...

https://www.hillspet.com/cat-care/healthcare/cat-not-using-litter-box

[sue11]

Do you know if one cat is using both litter trays and putting off the other cat? May be worth keeping an eye on this, if it could be the case.
Also if you do not do so, try cleaning it each time it is used. May be a hassle but if she feels it is dirty, it could be putting her off.
One of my cats started to refuse to use the litter tray and I managed to solve the problem by constantly putting her in it after she had eaten. She then got the message and started to use it again!

[pastafreak]

^^^ a bit like training kittens. They need introducing to it ;)

[Gill1941]

Thanks for quick reply, pasta.
I have read a similar article and cannot find any reason for this happening.
Yes, very recent change about 5 or 6 days. Am going to try new litter tray but having removed lid from other without success don't think it is going to work. I wondered if new litter would help.
Cannot understand it as she has been fine with trays, litter and location for 9 months and the tom is still happy with it all.

[Gill1941]

Gosh I must type faster. Cannot keep up with replies.
Sue, I remove solids quickly but not changing it after every pee.
Good idea putting her in after she has eaten.
Suddenly happening without any change which I cannot understand. She seems well. Eating, drinking as behaving as normal.
She is about 9 years old. A rescue cat.

[MrsLadyBug]

Oh dear aren't cats such strange creatures sometimes.But we still love them.
I sympathise with you. My 6yr old rescue tom is behaving funny lately.
Had a job to get him to use catflap but he does now except he is afraid to go out sometimes as there is an un-neutered cat locally who sits outside the back door hoping to sneak in for food.
If I give in to my cat with a litter tray it will make my other cat think it is for her too.
We live in country so don't usually need litter trays unless they are small.

[Gill1941]

Yes, MrsLB they are strange sometimes. I will get to the bottom (no pun intended!) of it I hope. Just hope she doesn't need a visit to the vet as have been reading there could be an underlying medical reason. She is fine apart from this.
Cats I've had in the past didn't have trays but these 2 rescued together and used to trays. It's better in summer, of course, but they hate the rain and wind. Don't blame them.
It's overnight it happens. I like to keep them in at night. She is a home bird anyway.

[calmck]

Can you try a third box. I put puppy training pads round and under my trays, one cat uses these and not the tray!!
Also try Feliway plug in near the trays. Put the third tray away from the others. Good luck