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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

Prestel · 04/03/2021 19:20

There are so many occasions when you need to keep a cat in - such as when you're preparing to take them to the vet or cattery or if they're unwell, not to mention them getting shut in by accident- it seems just as well to have a litter tray around ready just in case. It's not especially gross if they never or rarely use it, it's just a little plastic tray full of clean gravel tucked away in a corner somewhere.

DrunkenKoala · 04/03/2021 19:21

Person A is reasonable.

We don’t have cats but a few of our neighbours do. We have to de poo the garden every morning and sometimes during the day (I’ve seen my neighbours’ cats pooing so I know some of it is them) and I’m sick of it.

I have an outdoor cat and no litter tray, they gross me out!
Where is your cat pooing?
If a neighbour complained would you be willing to go and clear it up?
If no, why not?

doctorhamster · 04/03/2021 19:23

How do you manage with keeping them in during firework season? Or when you need them in before a vet appointment etc?

DinosaurPantz · 04/03/2021 19:24

As someone who often found their neighbours cats turn on the front step, I don’t think a litter tray would cause person A and B too much havoc.

I understand they are an outdoor animal but, why would whichever person not want to clean up their own pets feces? People with dogs don’t particularly enjoy touching poo either but, it’s the basics of owning a dog, even when they poo outside.

Cats are different..... why?

DinosaurPantz · 04/03/2021 19:25

^ turd. Not turd. Oops.

DinosaurPantz · 04/03/2021 19:25

@DinosaurPantz

^ turd. Not turd. Oops.

I’ve misspelt again and now I give up.

Wolfiefan · 04/03/2021 19:26

Cats should be in at night so yes to litter tray.

CatSickYellowSocks · 04/03/2021 19:31

That does sound a bit of a different situation though OP, if they’re going other places in the house and not outside it looks like you need a litter tray inside. Could you get a covered one at least?

Cloudyrainsham · 04/03/2021 19:34

I’ve had cats my whole life and apart from the kitten days never had a litter tray.

Original poster

ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 19:37

There are two covered litter trays. Long haired cats drag the litter everywhere which is another complaint.

OP posts:

Symbion · 04/03/2021 19:37

Zooplus sells outdoor litter trays. Not sure how weatherproof they ar but might be a good compromise?

If some of the cats are used to using a litter tray, then surely they need a litter tray. If you get to the point where they stop using it, then you can give up on trays.

mamawithfive · 04/03/2021 19:40

I have a tray that comes out at night. My cat is older, sleeps in all day from 7ish until 4pm ish - I only put the tray inside if I’m going out for a long time.
Then he goes out at 4pm, comes in about 6pm for his dinner, back outside until 8pm ish and sleeps all night until about 5am when he goes out, then back for breakfast and day time sleep!
We keep the tray out at night just in case! But when he was younger we never did, just used to keep a little window open and he’d go out when he wanted to.

Purplecatshopaholic · 04/03/2021 19:44

I have outdoor cats and they have litter trays. Daft not to imo. If the weather is bad they will likely go in the house if no trays (well mine would!) Better for relationships with neighbours too…

Prestel · 04/03/2021 19:47

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.

As cats are territorial, Person B is being pretty unreasonable as when you have more than one outdoor cat it's not unusual for one of them to prefer going indoors in order to avoid coming into conflict with the one already established going in the garden. It was very unreasonable to remove the litter trays in this way and would have caused distress .The resultant toileting in the house was both predictable and deserved in my opinion. It might be possible to encourage the indoor cats to go outside eventually, there are various methods that can be tried but the litter trays need to be kept until they do at the very least.

RandomMess · 04/03/2021 19:49

I can't get over such an irresponsible owner that they refuse to have a litter tray for the household cats

speakout · 04/03/2021 19:52

One family member insists on litter trays.

I dislike them- I refuse to clean them out.
We have one family member who is a night owl, cats are let out and brought in at midnight.
I am a lark, let the cats out at 6am, so they are never left for more than 6 hours overnight.
I have watched my cats come in from outdoors on a good sunny day simply to crap.

Mumdiva99 · 04/03/2021 19:52

Put the trays back. The cats have been trained to use them - it is cruel to just remove them.

It is also responsible cat owning to let them poo in a litter tray and not in the neighbours gardens.

FireflyRainbow · 04/03/2021 19:54

Not necessary.

Twoginsonetonic · 04/03/2021 19:56

Firstly, cats would not be in at night if they had a choice. They are nocturnal and will be out at night if a flap is provided.

And usually no need for a litter tray if you have a flap.. Give it a try.

Original poster

ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 19:56

The litter trays were put outside, not removed completely.

OP posts:

Original poster

ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 19:57

Give what a try?

OP posts:

Birthdaygirl1210 · 04/03/2021 19:59

@ShutUpAlex

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.

Both A & B need to get a grip!

Cats need a litter tray for the times when they can’t or won’t go out and it needs to be clean , it’s not difficult , rubber gloves , black bag, pour used litter in bag and put clean litter in tray. Use liners in the tray .😾

Honeyroar · 04/03/2021 20:01

We have two outdoor cats. The female cat is adamant she has to go inside. It drives me mad. She will come inside to poop then go back out again. (and before people kick off we live on a farm and don’t have neighbours).

HeckyPeck · 04/03/2021 20:01

The advise is to always have a litter tray available, even if your cats can go outside.

This is because cats can be bullied by other cats, be feeling unwell or have another reason for not wanting to go outside either all the time or on certain days and then not being able to go can stress them out. Holding it in can be particularly bad for male cats too.

www.battersea.org.uk/pet-advice/cat-advice/cat-litter-trays#:~:text=Even%20if%20your%20cat%20normally,as%20bladder%20and%20bowel%20problems.

Yubaba · 04/03/2021 20:03

No litter tray here, we had one for 18 months and she never once used it so we got rid.
She poos in our back garden though, she has a corner that she particularly likes.

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