Litter tray questions and more

[yallamamma]

Hi there,

I started another thread a few days ago, but essentially our stray/adopted garden cat is back from the vets (spayed/vaccinated) and I'm really unsure of the best way to look after her. She has recovered well from surgery indoors for 3 days, and yesterday we let her back out into the garden.

She is very happy outdoors and very active, so I'd like to keep her outside as much as possible. But last night she cried at the door so we let her in to sleep in the kitchen. I've just bought a litter tray which I'll prepare for her sleeping in the kitchen again tonight, but in the long run, would a cat flap be better for a cat that's used to going outside for the toilet? Would rather avoid litter tray if possible.

A bit confused, this is completely new territory for me - any advice would be gratefully received!

[cozietoesie]

Aargh. Just lost a whole post. Back later.

[LittleCandle]

My cats are happiest coming and going through the cat flap as they please. They did have a litter tray inside, and when I didn't have a cat flap they used it, but as soon as the flap was there they went outside and we got rid of the litter tray. If the cat is happy outside, but is also happy to come in for a bit, I would install the cat flap. Most cats get the hang of it pretty easily (although one of ours could be intensely dim and some days just had no clue what to do, even though he had used it perfectly well the day before!).

[Fluffycloudland77]

What about the winter?.

I'd do tray & flap. Covered clean trays aren't that offensive.

[GingerKitCat]

Same as LittleCandle! My cat has 24hr access through his catflap. I do have a tray but it's been put away since he demonstrated that he's far happier heading outside for the toilet, whatever the weather! I think it helps that there's a bit of cover on the patio (shrubbery, table with an outdoor cover on it) for him to dive under when it's raining. He doesn't spend long out there if the weather's bad. Enough for a quick wee and back in again! Do you have any shelter from the elements near the flap? Mine used to enjoy sitting in my plastic greenhouse
When I relocated it I considered getting one of those cat kennels or fashioning something waterproof for him to sit under. As it happens the shrubs and table cover are an acceptable substitute!

He's a bit lazy if I'm in the kitchen and will sit by the back door waiting for me to open it which I always do (sucker).

I'd play it by ear with yours. If she's not happy to go out in bad weather I'd keep the tray. I put the litter tray down for fireworks night/s as they terrify him and I have the catflap locked with him indoors. He reverts to using the tray no problem.

[Wolfiefan]

Cats should stay in overnight.
Three days after surgery she shouldn't be outside.

[GingerKitCat]

Just read that yours is more of a garden cat/ stray. I'd definitely invest in an outdoor cat shelter

[LittleCandle]

Wolfiefan in an ideal world, cats should be in overnight, but one of mine would then not come in at all, and I sat up until stupid hours, worrying over his non-arrival home. As soon as he was allowed to come and go as he pleased, he would almost always be in his basket inside come night time. I did try closing the cat flap, but he then took to staying away again. So I would be led by the cat and if it comes and goes happily, why shut it up at night?

[yallamamma]

Thanks everyone, we live in a very warm country so I'm not so worried about bad weather outdoors. I went and bought litter tray etc yesrterday, and typically she wanted to spend the night outdoors rather than inside!