My cat cant seem to cover up his waste in the litter tray - hes 3. Its beyond a joke now. Help!?

Question

He originally used to go outside but i moved into a flat 2 years ago so he uses the tray. Thing is he tries to cover up his "crap" but completely misses the litter - instead catching the edge of the tray. I got a bigger tray but it makes no difference. Its like once hes done his thing he wont stand in the litter. In the end my other cat covers it up when she needs the tray. I dont know what else to do - this has been going on for nearly 2 years. It was funny at first but its beyond a joke as everytime he catches the edge of the tray its really noisy so if in bed it wakes me up.

Answer 1

My cats do this to, its like they can't be arsed to cover it up any more. I think its because their trays get scooped regularly and they think why bother taking the time to cover it up when they know that is gonna be scooped out soon.

Answer 2

make sure that the box is placed in a private area, and kept clean. Sometimes it is good to get the auto litter box, it helps, that way it takes care of it and it goes in a tray. Use litter that is not strong scented, this is bad for them. I buy the Tidy cat that has the Tidy lock writing on the front of the container, it don't have a harsh smell, and it works well. Get the auto litter box or constantly go back there and scoop it. Get another one for himm to pee in. make sure he is neutered. P.S. Don't get the mega elite box, it is garbage, if you can get the megs box by littermaid, you will have good luck, use the plug in, not the batteries. The box will keep your cat happy and your house from smelling. Always fil it below the fill line. I have used them for years and wish I would have always used them. It is worth it. Keeps the area clean too, litter not evrywhere and the poop get dispensed by the try itself. Just empty the tray every other day or as you see fit. You can reuse the trays but put a touch orf litter in the used one or some baking soda. This will take care of all your problems! Good Luck.

Answer 3

I have two cats. One does an expert job at covering his 'business', the other completely misses. Whether she's using the garden or the litter tray, she can spend twenty minutes kicking at the soil/litter over and over again and the 'business' still sits on top of the soil/litter. I think some cats get it and others just don't have the knack. I'm used to it now, I hear her scratching at the side of the tray, the wall, the sink stand and it can wake me up. (And let's face it, pinging the side of the tray isn't going to cover the litter!?!) If I'm in bed I'll just call her name reassuringly and she'll usually stop (takes a while to train but persevere!) And if I'm up I just go up to her and say gently, "it's okay" and she'll stop. She understands that word, whether it's about firework noises, or covering up poo, she knows that means don't worry. ..And then I remove it :) or cover it up for her!



I used to put the litter tray in a cardboard box from the supermarket and cut a door in the box. That way, most of the litter would at least stay in the box as she kicked for England!



Oh the things we do for love!

Answer 4

mine doesnt either. When i got her from the rspca 2 months ago she did for the first couple of weeks then stopped covering. I asked about it here and some people say its because she is no longer threatened and is settled in so will not cover up in the house unless i get another cat who is more dominant.

Maybe the cat who doesnt cover up is the more dominant?

I also started using litter tray liners so maybe thats why she stopped but i like using them, they are easy to clean up after! She scratched the liner and doesnt cover up her faeces!

Answer 5

Yep, my cat NIBBLER did the same thing. We made her go outside, but you don't have that option.



- Use shredded paper instead of cat litter, more difficult to throw out of the tray.



Or



- Put less litter in the tray in the first place.



- Pur paper down around the tray so its easy to clear up.

Answer 6

I once had a cat, Lucy, and she used to 'go' in the bath. In the dead of night: the sound of running wee, a few plops, then scratching the side of the bath as if she was 'burying' it. I would flush the poo down the loo each morning.



The solution was to give her to my brother who had seven cats, and a huge garden.



What you could try is to take the cat to the tray and move his paw over the litter with one hand to mimic burying the poo. Do this each time, and he may get the message eventually.

Answer 7

It may be that he doesn't like sharing a tray with your other cat. Cats in care at Cats' Protection always have a tray each. Could you provide another tray?

Answer 8

Lots of cats dont cover their poo or wee.Id suggest you use the covered in trays .putting two down if you have two cats its not fair to expect the older cat to use a dirty tray.

Also use soil in a coverd tray if its what hes been used to with going out ,you don't need a lot.but please provide both cats with trays.you wouldn't like to use a toilet that wouldn't flush.and wasn't smelling clean.

Answer 9

Some cats just don't cover their poo. I have a cat that doesn't. I have an OCD cat that goes in there right after him and inspects and covers it up.



What about getting one of those automated litter boxes?

Answer 10

ha ha my kitten sometimes buries her poop with air, like she is just pawing at nothing as if she is covering it up, she scratches against the wall as well and the floor around the litter tray ha ha she is so funny. it would be annoying if they didn't cover it ever though- not to mention smelly!

Answer 11

lol, my cat is 10yrs old and he cant cover his doings in a litterbox,(cant even do it properly in the garden) not to mention cant aim to pee in the box. I suppose because he was a rescue kitten and his mother wasnt around to teach him. Male cats are often like this though...and its not only male cats!!!! Husbands have similar problems!!!

Answer 12

Is the cat de-clawed? I've always heard that they can have issues with the litter box. My ex-roommates cat did the same thing and he was de-clawed.

Answer 13

Mine did the same thing. Put lots of gravel in the tray, or when u think he needs a-----, put him outside :)

Answer 14

Maybe try another kind of litter? Mine hated those recycled paper ones and like the clumping kinds.