Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Flip

1 2 3 4

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:

Original poster

ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 20:31

I’m the sister Person Q?

OP posts:

Original poster

ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 20:34

The arguing is literally effecting their marriage though.

OP posts:

Prestel · 04/03/2021 20:35

Person B also trying to get pregnant so will not be able to touch the litter trays anyway.

Ah, in that case Person A is just going to have to find the time to keep the litter trays clean, because although I think it could be possible to persuade Person A's cats to go outside eventually, it might take longer than nine months and in the meantime it's very important the trays are kept clean as cats will go elsewhere in the house if the trays get too dirty and you really don't want that when pregnant. It's unreasonable to expect the cats to suddenly learn to go outside but it really isn't unreasonable to expect Person A to take responsibility for the trays in this particular instance.

LucieStar · 04/03/2021 20:38

Why can't Person A just take responsibility for cleaning the tray then if they feel so strongly about having it?

Original poster

ShutUpAlex · 04/03/2021 20:39

Because person A is a lazy twat and will leave them to fester for days.

OP posts:

Leonberger · 04/03/2021 20:41

We live rurally with disused woodland either side and my cat still comes in to shit in a tray

I once tried to take it away and it shit in the shower tray instead, cats are strange.

Wolfiefan · 04/03/2021 21:07

Honestly if the non issue of litter trays is “affecting their marriage” they shouldn’t be trying for a baby.
Learn to discuss like adults.
Or separate.

CatSickYellowSocks · 04/03/2021 21:09

Hmmm sounds like Person A needs to pull their finger out and take care of their cats properly, horrid for poor kits to have dirty trays. Is person B sure they want a baby with someone too lazy to look after cats? Sounds like there’s more going on than a bit of cat poo.

LucieStar · 04/03/2021 21:10

Is person B sure they want a baby with someone too lazy to look after cats?

Very good point.

willstarttomorrow · 04/03/2021 21:11

My outdoor cat would not entertain a litter tray, although one is available when we go away. I do not know how she will cope when I am no longer working from home and open the front/back door or the various windows that she prefers that day over the cat flap. She was a little timid stray we found in the garden who has become a very confident and comfortable old girl. During recent heavy snow and bad weather I had to throw her out for 5 mins before she exploded!

user1471538283 · 04/03/2021 21:12

When we had a cat flap boy cat hated the litter tray. Now we don't have a cat flap but he comes in to use it! (I'm here in the day to let them in and out). Girl cat loves the litter tray. I think in part because it's very private. The litter is doing my head in though and I'll be glad to get a cat flap again.

Anothermother3 · 05/03/2021 10:09

I have a covered litter tray right outside the cat flap out the back door. Cat will pop in it and mainly wees in it and the garden but keeps the poo mainly in one place. She doesn’t really leave our garden much and the houses back into railway land so don’t think she bothers the neighbours. Why don’t you try this?

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 05/03/2021 10:22

We have four cats all of which go outside, and we have a (large) litter tray indoors for them that they use. I'd prefer to keep as much cat shit out of my neighbours' gardens as possible.

dementedpixie · 05/03/2021 10:26

My cats go outside but I still have a indoor tray for when the weather is terrible or they don't feel like going out. They don't use it much now

weaselish · 05/03/2021 11:01

Please use litter trays. Picking random cat shit out of your garden when you don't have cats is disgusting.

sunflowersandbuttercups · 05/03/2021 11:40

A should step up and clean the litter trays but person B also needs to get a grip and not leave them full of poo if say, person A is at work all day or out of the house.

We have three cats and they're my responsibility, but DH wouldn't leave a shit festering in the tray on "principle", just like he doesn't ignore them when he gets up in the morning either - he sorts their trays and feeds them because he's not a dick.

I change the trays, do all the other poo picking, feed them in the evening, buy all their food and medication, arrange and pay for vet appointments and insurance, and wash all their bowls etc.

Person B chose to live with someone whose cats use litter trays and quite frankly they need to stop being so precious. Cleaning a litter tray out is far easier and more pleasant than leaving them stinking to try and prove some kind of weird point.

Original poster

ShutUpAlex · 05/03/2021 13:19

@Anothermother3 they have tried that.

OP posts:

peak2021 · 05/03/2021 13:46

I think you should have one. As a cat gets older it may be needed, so why wait. Also situations such as bad weather.

GrolliffetheDragon · 05/03/2021 14:58

Person A has always had the litter trays since they were kittens so they have never learnt to go outside.

I have never had this problem with a cat. We have a couple of litter trays in doors and always have. They still crap in the garden, though hopefully not the neighbours garden - as far as I can tell they don't go next door as they have a dog.

thecatsthecats · 05/03/2021 15:02

My cats rarely use it by choice when they can go outside instead, so it doesn't get used.

Plus it came in handy the time my husband came home roaring drunk and threw up in it.

(my cats came to me disgusted at their father in the morning)

randomlyLostInWales · 05/03/2021 15:31

If there's money there are such things as fully automated litter trays:

Jlxl Automatic Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Box Fully enclosed Electric Cleaner Smart Cat Toilet With Deodorant for Cat Weight And Cleaning

and sort of semi automated

Self-Cleaning Cat Litter Boxes

I think you do need a litter tray indoors - and you may find cat poo else where indoors instead if they don't adapt to outside trays but also think Is person B sure they want a baby with someone too lazy to look after cats? is a good question.

Alwaysandforeverhere · 05/03/2021 15:46

I mean if A and B cannot agree over cat litter trays why the hell are they going to try for a baby...

Is person A is a lazy slob about cleaning the tray again why does person B want a baby with them...

Symbion · 05/03/2021 16:02

[quote ShutUpAlex]@Anothermother3 they have tried that.[/quote]
There are ways to do it though. Start with the tray in its normal place and move it slowly over several days or weeks. If you change boxes, put the new box in the same place as the old one, with old litter to start with. Start with it open if it's a covered tray, then put the hood on but leave the flap off... Baby steps all the way. But none of that is going to happen when they are both determined it's the other one's problem.

Original poster

ShutUpAlex · 05/03/2021 16:04

Yes they’ve tried that.

OP posts:

minipie · 05/03/2021 16:06

We put the litter tray away about 6 months after Dcat was allowed outdoors, since it hadn’t been used that entire time

Flip

1 2 3 4

Swipe left for the next trending thread