Cats and Litter Trays

[Kelley24]

I have 3 cats aged 13, 10 and 8. They have all been trained to go to the toilet outside but there have been a few changes in our house since then. Firstly i moved into a flat for approx 2 months with them. It took a while to get them litter trained again since they have always gone outside since they was old enough to go. Now we have finally moved into our new house, we've been here 4 weeks. the cats have been allowed outside for all this time but have to be locked in at night due to no cat flap yet. The problem is that i want them ony to use the litter trays at night time or when we are out and go outside to the toilet during the day. This is harder than it sounds, but the youngest, Ramsey, is very very lazy. Has anyone got any ideas on what i can do to get them outside during the day??????

Kelley xx

[bowiefan]

why not try putting the litter tray just outside the back door in the daytime when the cats are in the garden. then either way they have got to go outside to use the toilet. then, as they get used to that gradually put the tray further and further away from the house

[Mrs_Pegasus]

To be honest I would prioritise the fitting of the cat flap.

You are asking quite a lot of them because cats can be quite particular where they go and I think you could be asking a lot for a short term stop-gap i.e. before you get the cat flap fitted.

We recently had a kitten and the older cat automatically started using its litter tray and wouldnt go toilet outside!  So I had to wean BOTH of them off the tray!! LOL  The older cat took longer!

You have enough on your plate with the new house so before unpacking another box - get a cat flap!  That will be one less thing to worry about and the little darlings can get on with settling in!

Hope you are all very happy in your new home.

[dmsjps]

If you have cats, when you first move away, you should always keep them in for at leat 3 weeks anyway, just to rid them of their instinct to go home to your old house.

 

I agree with the replies so far though: if they've been in their new home for four weeks now - plus the fact they're actually reluctant to go outside - that shows you they've made your new home their home too. It's time to have that cat flap fitted and get them using it like they used to at the old place.

 

People who don't know cats say they don't care about anything or anyone, but they do. You have your proof.

[Kelley24]

Thank you for all the replies. Our top proirity is havin a cat flap fitted. But is can't be fitted in the excisting door as it is steel door (!!!!!!) we have asked 5 compaines so far and all have said it cant be done due to the way the door is made. So now have to save up for a new UPVC door which could set us back �500.

i am goting to try the idea of putting the trays outside, therefore i aint cleaning up litter of the floor all day.

i let my cats out virtually straight away, but only because i know my cats so well. You have to remember that i have had the oldest since i was 11 and i hand reared her too. All 3 of my cats are neutered, (not sure how to spell that. lol), and are female so are less likely to wander too far from the house.

On the comment about people who say that cats dont care about anything or anyone, i agree that they are totally wrong. Cats are very loyal. at night i dont allow them into my bedroom as they moult too much, so all 3 sleep outside our bedroom door. and although the eldest dont particually like the younger 2, she alwyas protects them if another cats comes into the garden.

I'll stop rambling now. Thank You for advice.

Kelley xx