Help with training adult cats to toilet outside please!

[ShutUpAlex]

My SIL has gone away for the week, she’s pregnant and when she gets back my brother is going to be working long, 12 hour shifts.
She wants the litter tarts gone as she can’t deal with them being pregnant and after 12 hours they absolutely stink. My cats were trained to go outside but we did this from when they were kittens, brothers cats are 3+.
I said I’d help him over the next week. He is useless, probably should t have the cats in the first place but he is too soft and has taken them all in off other people. 6 cats altogether.

Does anyone have experience with this?

All cats should have access to an indoor litter tray. Cats should also be shut in overnight.
Sounds like none of you are prepared to provide what these cats need.

My cats are long haired (one especially) - she gets brushed pretty much every day, her rear end is trimmed every couple of months to keep it easy for her to clean, and I don't have a problem with litter tracking - the 'wee only' tray (their choice) is the crystal litter, and they both have techniques that actually keep their paws out of the litter while they wee. The enclosed tray (enter in the front, exit out the top, although they both really only use the top in either case) has clumping clay, and similarly, it largely stays in there - it's certainly not tracked around the house on their fur!

Try some more litter types, but it sounds like she does just need to change the litter more - I understand the toxoplasmosis thing, but TBH if she's been living with 6 cats who track litter everywhere, surely she's already been exposed, and may as well make her life more pleasant! Maybe just suck up the cost, get the bio litter and just empty it entirely every day.

Why should she, who is feeling sick at the smell, change her DH's cats' litter trays?

yes, fair enough - as the cats are there because of her DH, it is him that needs to take responsibility for it - it just doesn't sound like he is, and it's her that's suffering for it.

@drspouse

Why should she, who is feeling sick at the smell, change her DH's cats' litter trays?

In my opinion, if you choose to live in a household with animals, you need to take some responsibility for them.

What if her DH ended up in hospital and couldn't look after the cats for several days, or even weeks/months? Would she just never feed them or sort the trays?

OP's DH is out working 12 hours shifts - he's not sat at home ignoring the trays on purpose. Personally I think it's pretty shitty to live in a home with animals and ignore their basic needs.

When we moved our two had a litter tray even though BoyCat hates it. As soon as the weather got better they went outside but still have the tray for the nights (as we do not currently have a catflap).

I would put the tray outside for a bit so they get used to being out there. Once they have found a place to go they should be okay. But they will probably need it again when the weather gets worse.