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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Litter trays for outdoor cats?

100 replies

ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 18:51

One of us insists on litter trays inside despite the cats being outdoor cats.

One of us is adamant that it’s not necessary and it’s gross.

Which one is being unreasonable?

OP posts:
25yearsnhsworker · 04/03/2021 18:53

No need for one indoors. Have you got cat flap? We haven't but cat sleeps all day and out all night.
We did bring one back when old cat was old and didn't want to go out

LucieStar · 04/03/2021 18:53

Our outdoor cat has a litter tray because he only goes out overnight so he needs somewhere to do his business during the day time.

marly11 · 04/03/2021 18:55

I have one that is very rarely used but very occasionally they do.. for no explicable reason. I would rather it was there in reserve in a room that is not used by visitors, than find a deposit on a bed... which has happened twice in three years.

HolidayHopeSpringsEternal · 04/03/2021 18:56

My parents always had outside cats & I never saw a litter tray in my life. My new (ish) kitten had a litter tray until he could go outside then I left it outside for a few days, then got rid of it.

RandomMess · 04/03/2021 18:57

Mine have a litter tray - it's one less poo that they have deposited in a neighbours garden.

We shut ours in overnight as it reduces the chance of them being hit by car, attacked by foxes etc.

Original poster
ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 18:57

There’s 2 cat flaps plus windows always open.

OP posts:
Pippa12 · 04/03/2021 18:58

I have an outdoor cat and no litter tray, they gross me out!

Tottington · 04/03/2021 18:58

We have an outdoor litter tray for our outdoor cats. Mainly because one is too precious to go across the field when it's wet (we live on a farm so they're not toiletting in anyone's garden).

pawsies · 04/03/2021 19:00

Depends how much you care about your neighbours really

If you don't want sour relations then obviously have litter trays indoors and outdoors

maddiemookins16mum · 04/03/2021 19:00

We have a litter tray, a large (enclosed) garden and cat flap. They use all three. A litter tray is needed for us to keep an eye on their general health as much as anything.

CatSickYellowSocks · 04/03/2021 19:01

We have a litter tray, I’d rather they did at least some of their poo in there rather than our neighbours gardens.

pawsies · 04/03/2021 19:01

Not quite sure why you would have a pet and then not want to take responsibility for it though.

Seems a bit weird to expect your neighbours to have to clear up after your pet.

Lamentations · 04/03/2021 19:02

No litter tray for ours. I've got nowhere for it to go that I'd consider acceptable and they have a cat flap. They are gross so I'd only use one if they were stuck indoors and then I'd just nip out and buy a £3 one from the pet shop.

SpudsandGravy · 04/03/2021 19:02

If they're outdoor cats, why would they come inside?

FWIW, I have an ordinary cat i.e. he goes out and about and then he comes in. He's a bit nervy (a rescue) and so I have a litter tray for him inside. Sometimes he uses it and other times he doesn't. I suspect it depends upon how he's feeling, and what other cats are hanging around outside.

redcandlelight · 04/03/2021 19:03

you need a litter tray.

ProfYaffle · 04/03/2021 19:03

We have cat proofed our garden and have a waterproof outdoor litter tray like this to prevent (well, minimise) random poo scattered about the garden.

LucieStar · 04/03/2021 19:03

The other reason we have one is that when it's bad weather (rain / snow etc) he won't go outside, so he needs an alternative.

Beseigedbykillersquirrels · 04/03/2021 19:04

@Pippa12

I have an outdoor cat and no litter tray, they gross me out!
Whereas I'm sure your neighbours love finding turds in their gardens.
GuidonianHand · 04/03/2021 19:05

Having an indoor litter tray is a responsible way of making an effort to keep some/most of a cat's shit out of your neighbours' gardens. Assuming that the cat (s) will use it.

minniemango · 04/03/2021 19:05

I have an outdoor cat and only get the litter tray out if we have to keep her in for some reason like vet treatment or we go away for a weekend.

Original poster
ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 19:05

Person A has always had the litter trays since they were kittens so they have never learnt to go outside. When person B moved the litter trays outside they just started toileting in the house. Person B’s cats have been trained to go outside from a you g age so is very against the litter trays being inside the house.

OP posts:
Onefliesoverthecuckoosnest · 04/03/2021 19:09

I think it is a bit unfair on neighbours, plus ours don't go out when it is raining.

We have indoor trays and one in the garden, which is the preferred one.

Original poster
ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 19:15

Another issue. Person B absolutely refuses to touch the litter tray but person A works long hours and is a bit slack at keeping on top of cleaning it.

OP posts:
Scarlettpixie · 04/03/2021 19:15

We had 2 outdoor cats. One preferred to go outside and the other inside. We had a litter tray and later 2 when she got older to prevent accidents in the house.

Emeraldshamrock · 04/03/2021 19:17

It is well for outdoor cat owners without a litter tray expecting their furry pet to shit in another garden while on their rightful roam.