Set up before they arrive
Place a tray in a quiet corner away from noisy appliances and food bowls. Kittens and anxious rescues need the tray obvious — not hidden behind a closed door they cannot open.
A common rule of thumb is one tray per cat, plus one spare, spread through the home once they have free roam.
Early days checklist
- Show the cat the tray when you arrive home; do not punish accidents.
- Scoop daily; full litter refreshes on a schedule that keeps odour down.
- If you change litter brand, transition gradually — sudden texture changes put some cats off.
- Keep the base room tray available until the cat is confidently using the whole house.
Accidents that need a vet
Straining, blood, frequent tiny wees, or a cat crying in the tray can be a urinary emergency — especially in male cats. Behavioural litter problems also deserve a proper workup before you assume “spite.”
Not veterinary advice. Sudden litter changes can be medical — contact a vet promptly when unsure.