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Hi! I have two cats who I adopted together as kittens, who have ALWAYS peed outside the litterbox (poop inside), on any material on the floor, though we have 2 older cats who go in the boxes. On a whim, I bought weewee pads and placed them where the cats had been going on the floor, and I realized that they must have been fostered as babies with pads (grrrr). I would like to get some area rugs and want to know how to keep them off!

Hi! I have two cats who I adopted together as kittens, who have ALWAYS peed outside the litterbox (poop inside), on any material on the floor, though we have 2 older cats who go in the boxes. On a whim, I bought weewee pads and placed them where the cats had been going on the floor, and I realized that they must have been fostered as babies with pads (grrrr). I would like to get some area rugs and want to know how to keep them off!

Updated On October 16th, 2023

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Answered By Jessica Desrosiers

Veterinary Technician

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Substrate preference can be very difficult for cats! I would start by moving the pee pads into an empty litter box to get the kittens used to going in and out of it, and then gradually begin to add in a little litter over the pee pads, until they can be transitioned from it to the litter fully. You may also need to try a few litter types, such as paper or corn cob litter, that may be closer in substrate feel to the peed pads and may encourage them to use it. Daily scooping and making sure the other cats aren't bullying the kittens away from the box can also help reduce accidents. I would also keep any area rugs and the like away from the potty areas so they don't confuse the two. You can also use an enzymatic cleaner to help clean up any accidents and break down urine particles that may be encouraging them to keep using the spot.

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