{"product_id":"back-in-the-tray-a-28-day-guide-for-a-cat-going-outside-the-litter-tray","title":"Back in the Tray: a 28-day guide for a cat going outside the litter tray","description":"\u003cstyle\u003e\n.vn-eb{--navy:#021d3a;--teal:#0f3a3d;--ink:#0d1317;--mute:#5b6166;--orange:#ff3c20;--cream:#f7f3ec;--line:#e6e1d8;color:var(--ink);font:16px\/1.65 \"Open Sans\",Arial,sans-serif}\n.vn-eb *{box-sizing:border-box}\n.vn-eb h2,.vn-eb h3,.vn-eb .kick,.vn-eb .n,.vn-eb .cn{font-family:Montserrat,Arial,sans-serif}\n.vn-eb h2{font-size:28px;line-height:1.2;margin:0 0 14px;font-weight:700;color:var(--ink)}\n.vn-eb h3{font-size:19px;margin:8px 0 6px;color:inherit}\n.vn-eb p{margin:0 0 12px}\n.vn-eb .blk{padding:36px 28px;margin:0}\n.vn-eb .kick{font-size:12px;font-weight:600;letter-spacing:.16em;text-transform:uppercase;color:var(--orange);margin:0 0 8px}\n.vn-eb .stats{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:8px;background:var(--cream);padding:18px;text-align:center}\n.vn-eb .stats b{display:block;font:800 28px\/1 Montserrat,sans-serif;color:var(--teal)}\n.vn-eb .stats span{font-size:13px;color:var(--mute);text-transform:uppercase;letter-spacing:.08em}\n.vn-eb .steps{background:var(--navy);color:#fff}\n.vn-eb .steps h2{color:#fff}\n.vn-eb .grid4{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(4,1fr);gap:14px;margin-top:18px}\n.vn-eb .step{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-top:3px solid var(--orange);padding:18px 16px}\n.vn-eb .step .n{font-weight:800;font-size:26px;line-height:1;color:var(--orange)}\n.vn-eb .step h3{color:#fff}.vn-eb .step p{color:#cfd9e3;font-size:15px;margin:0}\n.vn-eb ul.gets{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:18px 0 0;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:14px 26px}\n.vn-eb ul.gets li{display:flex;gap:12px;margin:0}\n.vn-eb .tick{flex:0 0 26px;height:26px;border-radius:50%;background:#e6f2ef;color:var(--teal);display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-weight:800}\n.vn-eb .look{background:var(--cream)}\n.vn-eb .rail{display:grid;grid-template-columns:repeat(5,1fr);gap:16px}\n.vn-eb .rail figure{margin:0}.vn-eb .rail img{width:100%;aspect-ratio:210\/297;object-fit:cover;display:block;background:#fff;box-shadow:0 10px 22px rgba(0,0,0,.15)}\n.vn-eb .rail figcaption{font-size:13px;color:var(--mute);margin-top:8px}\n.vn-eb ul.toc{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:18px 0 0;display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr;gap:0 30px}\n.vn-eb ul.toc li{display:flex;gap:14px;padding:12px 0;border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);margin:0}\n.vn-eb .cn{flex:0 0 34px;height:34px;border-radius:50%;background:var(--teal);color:#fff;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-weight:700;font-size:13px}\n.vn-eb ul.toc strong{display:block}.vn-eb ul.toc span{color:var(--mute);font-size:14px}\n.vn-eb ul.prints{list-style:none;padding:0;margin:14px 0 0;display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;gap:8px}\n.vn-eb ul.prints li{border:1px solid var(--line);padding:6px 12px;border-radius:30px;font-size:14px;margin:0;background:#fff}\n.vn-eb ul.prints li b{color:var(--orange);margin-right:5px}\n.vn-eb .faq{background:var(--cream)}\n.vn-eb details{border-bottom:1px solid var(--line);padding:14px 0}\n.vn-eb summary{cursor:pointer;font:600 17px Montserrat,sans-serif;list-style:none;display:flex;justify-content:space-between;gap:14px}\n.vn-eb summary::-webkit-details-marker{display:none}\n.vn-eb summary:after{content:\"+\";color:var(--orange);font-size:22px;line-height:1}\n.vn-eb details[open] summary:after{content:\"\\2212\"}\n.vn-eb details p{margin:10px 0 0}\n.vn-eb .policy{font-size:14px;color:var(--mute);text-align:center;padding:16px}\n@media (max-width:760px){.vn-eb .grid4,.vn-eb .stats{grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr}.vn-eb ul.gets,.vn-eb ul.toc{grid-template-columns:1fr}.vn-eb .rail{grid-template-columns:repeat(2,1fr)}.vn-eb .blk{padding:26px 16px}}\n\u003c\/style\u003e\u003clink rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"https:\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css2?family=Montserrat:wght@600;700;800\u0026amp;family=Open+Sans:wght@400;600\u0026amp;display=swap\"\u003e\u003cdiv class=\"vn-eb\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"stats\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e58\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003epages\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e11\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003echapters\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e8\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003eprintables\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e29\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003esources\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003csection class=\"blk\"\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStop scrubbing the same patch of carpet.\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf your cat is weeing, pooing or spraying anywhere but the tray, you've probably tried a new litter, a plug-in, maybe a telling-off. Maybe a door in your house now stays shut. You're far from alone: 9% of UK cats weed outside the tray last year. And your cat isn't doing it to spite you. It's telling you something, and this book shows you how to read it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eBack in the Tray\u003c\/em\u003e turns the advice of iCatCare, Cats Protection and the international cat vets into one clear method: Rule out, Read, Reset, Reinforce.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"blk steps\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"kick\"\u003eThe method\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eFour steps, in the right order\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"grid4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"step\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"n\"\u003e01\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eRule out\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vet check first, with the emergency check before anything else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"step\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"n\"\u003e02\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eRead\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeven days of notes that turn \"it's everywhere\" into a pattern.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"step\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"n\"\u003e03\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eReset\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tray, the spots, the stress, spraying, water and food, and the special cases, as your clues direct.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"step\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"n\"\u003e04\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ch3\u003eReinforce\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKeep what worked, fade what was temporary, and catch any slip early.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"blk\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"kick\"\u003eWhat you get\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy the fixes you've tried haven't stuck\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMost cats that go outside the tray have two reasons at once. A sore bladder can leave a cat avoiding a tray it now links with pain. A cat in a two-cat home can be kept from the only tray and find the landing carpet works just as well. Fix one thing and it seems to change nothing. The book's map lets you follow every branch your cat is on.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"gets\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"tick\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStop guessing.\u003c\/strong\u003e A decision tree sorts your cat's clues into six branches (spraying, the tray, the place, poo only, household tension, special cases) and sends you to the chapters that fit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"tick\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMake the vet visit count.\u003c\/strong\u003e An incident log and a vet-visit sheet give your vet the evidence a consulting room can't, and a table tells you what each result means for what you do next.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"tick\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBuild a tray set-up your cat picks over the carpet:\u003c\/strong\u003e size, number, place, litter and cleaning, checked point by point on the tray audit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"tick\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMake old spots stop smelling like a toilet,\u003c\/strong\u003e with a cleaning protocol that goes deeper than the stain and a way to give each spot a new job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"tick\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTake the tension out of the house:\u003c\/strong\u003e other cats, cats at the window, changes at home, with a resource map and a tension checklist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"tick\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe extra moves\u003c\/strong\u003e for spraying, older and arthritic cats, kittens, moving house and indoor-only cats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"tick\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeep the result:\u003c\/strong\u003e what stays for good, what fades slowly, and a relapse routine that catches a slip in days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"tick\"\u003e✓\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSourced and British.\u003c\/strong\u003e Built on iCatCare, Cats Protection, the PDSA and the international cat vets' guidelines, with every source numbered at the back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"blk look\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"kick\"\u003eLook inside\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eA designed book, with tools you'll actually use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"rail\"\u003e\n\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vivanutrition.shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/back-in-the-tray-a-28-day-guid-page1.jpg\" alt=\"Chapter 1 opener\"\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003eChapter 1 opener\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vivanutrition.shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/back-in-the-tray-a-28-day-guid-page2.jpg\" alt=\"Printable 1: the decision tree\"\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003ePrintable 1: the decision tree\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vivanutrition.shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/back-in-the-tray-a-28-day-guid-page3.jpg\" alt=\"Chapter 4 opener\"\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003eChapter 4 opener\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vivanutrition.shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/back-in-the-tray-a-28-day-guid-page4.jpg\" alt=\"Printable 2: incident log\"\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003ePrintable 2: incident log\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\u003cfigure\u003e\u003cimg loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.vivanutrition.shop\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/back-in-the-tray-a-28-day-guid-page5.jpg\" alt=\"Printable 5: tray audit\"\u003e\u003cfigcaption\u003ePrintable 5: tray audit\u003c\/figcaption\u003e\u003c\/figure\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"blk\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"kick\"\u003eWhat's inside\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e11 chapters and your 28-day plan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"toc\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e1\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt isn't spite. It's a clue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe five causes, and the map that finds yours\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e2\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRule out\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe emergency check and a vet visit that gets a real answer\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e3\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRead\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhere, when, what and how much: the pattern in seven days\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e4\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReset the tray\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSize, number, place, litter and cleaning, point by point\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReset the spot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCleaning that the cat's nose agrees with\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e6\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReset the stress\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTension between cats, cats outside, changes at home\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e7\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpraying\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMarking versus toileting, and the triggers to take away\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater and food\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat helps a bladder, and water your cat wants to drink\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e9\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial cases\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOlder cats, kittens, moving house, indoor cats\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e10\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReinforce\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKeep, fade, watch, and your relapse routine\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e11\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMore help\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhen to ask for a referral, and what to bring\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"cn\"\u003e+\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eThe plan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYour 28 days, step by step\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3 style=\"margin-top:26px\"\u003eEight printables to use every day\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"prints\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e1\u003c\/b\u003eThe decision tree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e2\u003c\/b\u003eIncident log\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e3\u003c\/b\u003eHome map\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e4\u003c\/b\u003eVet-visit sheet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e5\u003c\/b\u003eTray audit\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e6\u003c\/b\u003eCleaning card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e7\u003c\/b\u003eResource map and tension check\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003e8\u003c\/b\u003e28-day tracker and relapse card\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003csection class=\"blk faq\"\u003e\u003cp class=\"kick\"\u003eQuestions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eBefore you buy\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs my cat doing it to spite me?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. The cat vets' guidelines list \"cats can be spiteful\" as a myth. The timing that feels pointed, your bed or the week you were away, is a clue to what changed for your cat, and Chapter 1 shows you how to read it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eDo I still need to see the vet?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes, and the book makes that visit count. A sore bladder is a common reason cats stop using the tray, so Step 1 is the vet check, with a log and a vet-visit sheet to take with you. If your cat is straining and passing little or no urine, ring your vet now: that's an emergency.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWill my cat be sorted in 28 days?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 28 days are the structure for finding and fixing the cause, in order. Some cats change quickly and some need longer, and cystitis can come and go. If day 28 arrives with no real change, Chapter 11 tells you exactly what to do next.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eIs this instead of a behaviourist?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor many owners it's the step before one. If you do need a referral, you'll walk in with the log, the home map, the tray audit and the vet notes, which is exactly what a behaviourist needs to see.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWe have more than one cat. Does it still work?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Tension between cats is one of the six branches, with its own chapter, a resource map and a checklist of the quiet signs owners often miss.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eMy cat is old. Is there anything for older cats?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eChapter 9 covers older and arthritic cats: low-entry trays, trays on every floor, and how to spot pain from your cat's face.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003cdetails\u003e\u003csummary\u003eWhat exactly do I get?\u003c\/summary\u003e\u003cp\u003eA 58-page A4 PDF with 11 chapters, a 28-day plan and 8 printables. Read it on your phone or computer, and print the pages you want to use.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/details\u003e\u003c\/section\u003e\u003cp class=\"policy\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDownload link on screen and by email as soon as you've paid.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"policy\"\u003eDigital products are non-refundable once downloaded; if a file is faulty, we always replace it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"VivaNutrition Guides","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":62712120508803,"sku":null,"price":19.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0723\/3365\/6364\/files\/cover.jpg?v=1790782759","url":"https:\/\/vivanutrition.shop\/products\/back-in-the-tray-a-28-day-guide-for-a-cat-going-outside-the-litter-tray","provider":"VivaNutrition","version":"1.0","type":"link"}