We have recently obtained a Maine Coone kitten who is now 18 weeks
old. When we first got him at 13 weeks old, where we had some initial
problems with him not using his litter tray. We kept using the litter
that had been recommended by the breeder but very gradually weined him
onto a wood based litter, which our other cats use. He now uses this
litter and has no more accidents on the floor, the bed, or anywhere
else he used to have them! However, when he does use the tray, he
doesn't use it in a way that I have known cats to normally use it.
Instead of covering up what he has done, he simply digs a hole down to
the plastic of the tray, does his business in there and doesn't cover
it up. Then he preceeds, every time, to tread in it, get it
everywhere, tread it into the carpets, the bedding, the window sill,
via the radiator, the curtains and anywhere within a 5 meter distance
of him, until I can get to clear it up! This has been going on for a
few weeks now, and is gradually really frustrating me as I really
don't know why he's doing it. I understand that he is only just a
baby, and that occasionally getting it on his long fur at the back
could be a problem, but why does he consistantly try to dance it it,
tread and flick it everywhere and desist in cleaning himself?

I have gone through so many wipes and tissues cleaning him up – could
this be the reason he doesn't clean it up himself? I can understand
that it wouldn't be nice for him to clean it off, but why does he do
it!? Is it because he knows I will clean him? And everything within a
mile radius of him!

I am intending to show him and we have our first show next Saturday, I
am extremely anxious that this may happen on the way there, or even
worse, at the show after spending hours grooming and getting him
ready!

His motions are reasonably ‘wet' and this does not help matters. I am
currently feeding him Whiskas Adult (as recommended by the breeder)
and Eukaneuba Complete Kitten. I can only think that this adult food
which the breeder has recommended is too rich for him and doesn't
agree with his tummy. I have decided therefore, to take him off this
and try and ‘dry him up' a bit with just the Eukaneuba. Hopefully,
then if he does tread in it, it won't be as messy if it's more dry!

If anyone has experienced this before or could give any advice?

Thanks, Faye.