Suddenly started using the litter tray

[RightsaidFreud]

We have three cats, and it's usually only little old lady cat (20years old) that uses the litter tray. Our other two have always tended to go outside, very very rarely boycat would use it, and in all the years we've had fluffy girl (about 4 years now, she came to us as an adult from next door) we've NEVER seen or heard her use the tray.

Until about a week ago. Now she seems to be using it everyday. Has anyone ever had any experience of this, outdoor cat suddenly using the indoor litter tray? She's fine in herself i think, eating normally, pooing and weeing normally. The only other thing a little out of the ordinary is shes been sleeping on our bedroom window sill. She doesn't cope very well in the heat, being so fluffy. We do have a rather large cat neighbourhood where we live, so I was thinking maybe she might have got into a scrap with one of them.

Just wondering if anyone else has ever come across this behaviour before.

[cozietoesie]

The Lodger started using a tray after raising himself on the streets. (He also went outside so had opportunity out there.) I couldn't blame him: dry, safe, self-cleaning (Huh!) - what wasn't to like about it?

It might indeed possibly mean that she's got 'opposition' out there which is making her a little nervy and that she prefers to do her duty inside which is safer and more relaxing. So be it.

I don't mind outside-going cats using a tray. Among other things, it enable you to keep a general eye on their health and also saves any arguments with neighbours over poo in the rose beds. I don't mind tray cleaning though.

[cozietoesie]

PS - and Darling Twoago who went outside always came inside to use his tray. He just preferred it despite having the opportunity to use the flower beds.

[RightsaidFreud]

oh we don't mind her using it- that's what it's there for afterall! I think old lady cats nose was put a little out of joint though, she's had the whole thing to herself for quite some time! It's a huge litter tray though, so there is enough room for them both to use it, and we're good at cleaning it if we spot anything in it. It was just the sudden change in her behaviour i found quite baffling! Will keep an eye on those neighbourhood cats! We do have an uneautred ginger tom doing the rounds, fluffy girl is neutered herself, but he might still be a bother to her. We've tried catching him, but to no avail!

[cozietoesie]

I'd get at least another tray (maybe a cheapo smaller one if the current one is covered) as you have two cats using it now. Some of them can be pretty fussy about not using a dirty tray and if old lady cat's nose is out of joint a little, it's a good measure to take. (Always handy to have a spare anyway - even if other cat stops.)

I don't think it's anything to really worry about though. Some of them just seem to prefer an inside tray once they 'discover' it. Doesn't mean that they never use outside eg if they're caught short a ways from home but - they just like inside.