Weaning off the litter tray

[masteryoda]

Hi guys,

we've got a couple of kittens - Ollie & Domino - that are now 9 months old and over the past 2 weeks we've started letting them outside during the day. We had them for 3 months in total.

The problem we've got is they still come back inside to use the litter tray for both numbers 1s and 2s. The quantity deposited has reduced since we let them out so assume they are "going" outside as well.

At the weekend I was cleaning the trays and left them outside to dry. Domino came back and forth to house and garden meowing, I followed him outside and he was fussing around the trays in the garden and after a short while decided to do his business in a flower bed next to the tray. However since then i've replenished the trays in the house and he continues to use.

I don't let them out at night just yet so I'm keeping the tray in the house for night time requirements.

Is there anything I need to do to wean them off or will they just stop using it if I took it away completely (and gave them full access outside at night)?

Cheers
Matt

[otherman]

You're nearly there. Just leave the litter tray outside. At nine months they can go out at night anyways. Then after a while take the tray away.

[Mobile Chicane]

I'd say keep them in at night, with a litter tray.

They could be attacked by wild animals; hit by cars. There's no way I'd leave my cat out at night.

[bexVN]

I made my cats go cold turkey! They never had an accident in the house. I didn't leave the trays outside though.

That was a few yrs ago since then and now they are older (and no longer living in the countryside) I have litter trays available all the time for them.

[Who me ?]

Why not leave the trays outside . I've got ( by law )to pick up my dog's mess. The cats will come back and use the trays, meaning that you've not got neighbours with dug up seed beds, or poo on their garden to deal with .IT'S CALLED BEING A GOOD NEIGHBOUR. And don't forget, that cat poo can carry the feline version of the disease that causes blindness in kids . I've got to be a responsible dog owner - time some cat owners took responsibility for the deposits their cats leave behind . Then all folks will learn to love pets ,rather than to look at ways to stop them entering their premises.And that might be harmful to the cat . Pet ownership is not just about looking out for your pet - it's about stopping your pet causing problems to other folks.

[bexVN]

^^to be honest that's why I still keep litter trays, my cats can go outside but most of the time they use the trays, reduces the chances of them upsetting my extremely garden proud neighbour!

Also gives me knowledge such any of them have a bad stomach!!

[ali_kat]

bexVN said:

^^to be honest that's why I still keep litter trays, my cats can go outside but most of the time they use the trays, reduces the chances of them upsetting my extremely garden proud neighbour!

Also gives me knowledge such any of them have a bad stomach!!

I have Gardeners (supplied as part of my rental) and think as I'm not doing the flower beds, it's not fair!

Mine come in to do their business anyway

[Who me ?]

Nice to see. Down where my sister lives most folk have a cat or cats. The residents provide litter trays and cats are quick to use them .No neighbour problems. In my neck of the woods, the cats are left to fend for themselves. I used to have bark chippings on top of a membrane, till it got full of cat muck . I also had an open border under the front windows ,till we couldn't open the windows in summer for the stink .I changed the bark for stone, erected a small fence ,and when one came in the garden ,went upstairs with a jug of water .After a soaking/near miss or two ,they learnt to go else where. Now I notice one or two are back. Time methinks to close gates, look out for cat and let Toby persuade them this garden is not for peeing .

[DannyScene]

My cat is 8/9 and still uses her litter tray regularly, if she likes peeing in there I dont have an issue with emptying it.