Litter trays for outdoor cats?

[ShutUpAlex]

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?

I don’t think cats are nocturnal- I think they’re crepuscular, active at dusk and dawn.

@Twoginsonetonic

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.

Strictly speaking they're not nocturnal, they're crepuscular - which means they're most active at dawn and dusk.

Personally I think you should always have a litter tray available - at least they then have option if they don't feel safe going out. If they don't use it, it's hardly a hardship to keep it in a corner just in case.

@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.

What is person B's objection to cleaning the tray? It's not that bad really

We've not had a litter tray for maybe 4/5 years now, the cat just stopped using it at all, we did keep it for about a year but not once was it used again. toileting in the woods is much more fun apparently.

It's cruel to just take away the tray when they're not toileting outside. Person A needs to pull their finger out and clean the trays.

Person B is very unreasonable. Do they not care that their cats are shitting in other peoples gardens?

Outdoor cat here who will go to lengths to avoid using a litter tray. When he has been on house arrest he ends up holding his pee, so I take him out on a harness to use a flower bed.

Even so, he still has access to a litter tray - just in case.

Cleaning my house cat's litter tray is just no bother at all. I scoop it twice a day, clean it out fully once a week. Hooded box, deep layer of litter, barely smells, all bagged up and hygienically disposed of in the outside bin.

What's gross is my neighbour throwing his cat out to shit in my flowerbeds in my tiny garden. Why should I be responsible for cleaning up after his pet as well as my own? My kids play out there. Ugh.

Don't get a cat or dog, any animal, unless you're prepared to deal with poo is my view!

Person B feels that is person A was too lazy to train their cats to go outside then person A has to do the maintenance. Person B also trying to get pregnant so will not be able to touch the litter trays anyway.

Our cat likes to toilet at the back of our garden, but we have two trays inside - she’s always in overnight, and pre-Covid was generally in when we were out at work during the day. She rarely ever uses a tray tbh.

"Person B feels that is person A was too lazy to train their cats to go outside then person A has to do the maintenance. "

That's not laziness, how is it lazy to use trays?!

Person B aka op needs to get a bit of a grip and face facts that the cats have been tray trained and are unlikely to change. If b doesn't have time to clean and you are refusing then get a self cleaning litter tray.

Person B will have a shock with baby poo then if they’re trying to get pregnant and refuse to go near cat poo!

That is if A doesn't have time to clean.

The litter trays were put outside, not removed completely.

They were removed completely from the house, though. From the point of view of a cat which doesn't want to come into territorial conflict with another cat that already uses the garden that's the same thing really.
If the aim is for all the cats to go outside, it's going to take some work to achieve that and, realistically, it might be better to look at making maintaining the indoor trays less of a chore, at least in the short term. Some types of litter need to be changed less frequently, for instance.

You need to work together, you can move a tray slowly towards and then perhaps outside the back door over a few weeks, and/or use a covered tray. Figure out what a sustainable long term solution will be for both of you and work slowly towards it. Person B just expecting person A to do it all and moaning when they don't... that's not really a sustainable position is it? How are you going to negotiate nappy changes between you when there is a baby in the mix?

@ShutUpAlex

Person B feels that is person A was too lazy to train their cats to go outside then person A has to do the maintenance. Person B also trying to get pregnant so will not be able to touch the litter trays anyway.

If pregnant wear gloves to clean the tray and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Also wear gloves when gardening...I had to clean up neighbours cats poo from outside when pregnant...

@DinosaurPantz

Person B will have a shock with baby poo then if they’re trying to get pregnant and refuse to go near cat poo!

Pregnant women are advised not to clean cat litter trays - risk of toxoplasmosis which can cause miscarriage. So actually I understand temporarily not doing it whilst pregnant. I'm currently 33 weeks pregnant and DP has been the one sorting the tray.

LucieStar, it won’t let me quote you, sorry!

I know that, but they said that person B doesn’t want to touch it full stop, future pregnancy aside. I was simply saying if they can’t handle cat poo, good luck with the explosive baby poos.

Our cat goes outside but is kept inside at night or when we are out. He has a litter tray in the kitchen which he very rarely uses. He obviously prefers to do it outside.

@DinosaurPantz

LucieStar, it won’t let me quote you, sorry!

I know that, but they said that person B doesn’t want to touch it full stop, future pregnancy aside. I was simply saying if they can’t handle cat poo, good luck with the explosive baby poos.

Ahh yeah I get that! Longer term I think person B is being a bit daft. But whilst pregnant I'd find it completely reasonable to not do it temporarily.

Not me! Our cats are all outdoor cats and I’m a carer so poo doesn’t bother me

I've lost track with all the person A and person B but in my opinion if the litter tray is getting used then it's needed. My last cat we had from being a kitten but once he was allowed out he wouldn't use the litter tray and it sat unused for ages so we got rid of it. Current moggy is an adult rescue and still uses his litter tray but mainly for wees and he'll only poo in it on odd occasions but all the time it's getting used I'll keep it. I'm also 23 weeks pregnant and it's me that takes care of the litter tray I just wash my hands as soon as I've finished doing what needs doing with it.

Person B also already has kids so baby poop not a problem.

If I had a cat again and had to let it roam I wouldn't have an indoor tray but I'd put one in a dog kennel outside, because I'm having to clear up every day after the neighbours cat and I don't like surprises in the garden.

OP which person are you? The suspense is killing me