Hey lots of these posts seem to be toilet orientated but can’t quite find the answers I am looking for. I have two female cats Millie & Dexter just over a year old, both spayed and both toilet trained to go outside…or so I thought. I have had cats in the past that were amazing with regards to going to the toilet and these two were certainly more of a challenge persuading them to go outside rather than use their litter tray.

I am around 90% certain that the problem is with Dexter and every couple of months she kind of ‘relapses’ and ends up pooping around the house. Her main point of call seems to be our converted attic room which we tend to use for storage at the moment and as a result we do not go up their often. I went up their earlier today as she tried to go to the toilet in my handbag!!!! so I thought I had better check the attic as she is obviously struggling. It is an absolute mess! We do try to keep them both from going upstairs after all these incidents and although they are both shut downstairs throughout the day with access to their cat flap Dexter has developed a skill which means she can open all doors (oh yes she is a clever bunny!) so by the time I get home from work she is out and roaming free.

I am so frustrated with her, just when I think she has got it she seems to loose it all again and we are back to square one. She had a check up at the vets recently and he said she is one of the healthiest cats he has ever seen and she is an extremely chilled cat and very very good natured. I will admit I do not like litter trays, although I am considering putting one in the attic I would rather not as it seems a step back. I am very asthmatic and the litter really affects me which is another reason I do not like it in the house.

Any suggestions people may have with regards to training would be very much appreciated as I am lost.

Charlotte x

I would try wood based litter. If you can't get to a pet store Morrisons (and probably most supermarkets) do a big bag for a fiver, and it's surprisingly very economical. Smells of pine, and there's none of the horrible dust that you get with standard litter. I think it's probably much better for the cats as well.
I wouldn't bother putting it in the attic tbh, I'd put it where is convenient for you. As soon as you've put it down and any time she does the circling thing, put her in it. And clean the attic as best you can... Perhaps you could get a little slide lock for it? I doubt she'd figure that out!
Just in case you don't know the best way to clean messes is with biological washing powder; it not only smells quite nice it also kills the enzyme in the poo/wee which should prevent the cat from returning * I have used a little vinegar or a couple of drop of tea tree oil in the mix to cover smells also I've noticed ppl saying put on surgical spirit afterwards though I've never tried it - I have found the bio powder to work fine by itself. xxx

She is telling you she doesnt want to toilet outside and would prefer to do it inside - so it has to be a litter tray I'm afraid. Its always a good idea to keep a tray indoors anyway, even for cats that normaly toilet outside. You can get non dusty litters now, the wood pellet ones like Lady Rogue mentioned, not sure how the silica ones would be for someone with asthma, but they are not dusty.

Have you looked into a feline pheromone such as feliway? It is often helpful for cats with elimination problems.

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I agree that a litter tray is needed inside...