Training cat not to poo inside

[PerditaMcLeod]

KittyMcLeod has been with us now for a few months. After being confined to barracks for a couple of months at the vet's recommendation (she was moved from a very rural home to the mean streets of Brighton and Hove) she is finally going outside. Cat flap installed and she has no problems going in an out, although she much prefers being curled up on a bed or sofa somewhere. The problem is she won't poo outside and most mornings i find a little present for us somewhere in the house.

Sunday's gift was a particularly impressive dirty protest on our bed.... I discovered this just after I had been telling DP how pleased I was that she was so clean and had obviously found no problems finding somewhere in the garden to go- serves me right for opening my big mouth!

Anyway, I was wondering if any of you fellow cat staff owners had faced similar problems and if so, how did you manage to convince your cat that inside the house is not the place for doing big smelly poos?!

[cozietoesie]

The Lodger, an ex street cat who came to live with use, decided that he actually preferred to do his duty inside the house. (Warm, dry safe, self-cleaning (!) etc etc so who can blame him.) Cats sometimes prefer that because they're more vulnerable when they're doing a poo - so if they're not too certain of themselves outside (eg other/mean cats around) then they can come back in. He used to go outside for the craic but then come back in again for his tray.

It may be you'll have to recognise that so I'd get a litter tray set up. I assume you're keeping her in of an evening anyway (more dangerous for cats outside at that time of day) so she would be grateful of it for then.

Otherwise - you could make sure that your garden beds are nice and dug over although it's a bad time of year for cats digging in them: mud and caked earth.

Personally, I don't mind cats using an inside tray. (It prevents any arguments with neighbours who might otherwise find poos in their flower beds or on their lawns and does enable you to keep an eye on their general health.) It's just preferable to have it controlled and not to be concerned about stepping on something moist when you're going to the loo at 3 in the morning!

[Fluffycloudland77]

I'd just get a tray.

One day it will be diarrhoea & I promise that will be easier to scoop and bag from a litter tray than the Axminster.

[TheDoctorsNewKidneys]

Get a litter tray. All cats should have one even if they're mostly "outside" cats.

Make sure you keep clean and you should find the "present" problem stops! Lots of cats don't like going outside, especially in new places, because they feel really vulnerable.

[whoislester]

also if you use a tray, make sure that you put the 'solid contents' in the same place in the garden every time.

we have two very considerate cats who seem to poo under the bush behind the shed. this is great becuase the kids cannot get in there at all.

[Cleanthatroomnow]

Get an inside tray but move it outside once the tray habit is established. Then, either keep the outside tray going or make it disappear eventually. Worked for us.

[PerditaMcLeod]

Thanks for all the advice. She had a litter tray and there was no problem with her using it. I think I will reinstigate it. Tbh I completly understand why she might not want to go outside, particularly in this weather!

[cozietoesie]

Best of luck then. Let us know how you get on.