To think my cat sitter was in the wrong?

[Tabbyz]

I got back from holiday yesterday and I used a cat sitter for my 2 cats. The instructions were clear, one cat can come and go as she pleases and the other one can come in while cat sitter is there but must put her back out before leaving.

The first day they came, they did a visit in the morning and evening and in the evening report it said that there was a poo outside of the litter tray and they had cleaned it up. I messaged her to say that will be because you kept Olivia inside and if you keep her outside, she will toilet outside.

I got back yesterday to a poo in my living room and Olivia was inside!! I contacted her asking why my instructions were not adhered to and she said she didn’t think it was in Olivia’s best interest to be outside as she didn’t want to go and when she placed her outside she was crying to come back in. But it’s not up to her to make that decision. Those were my wishes and the cat would’ve been absolutely fine, it was only 4 days . What is the point in leaving them instructions? AIBU to leave a bad review and not use them again?

Leaving a cat outside for 4 days with only two short breaks inside would be considered cruel by a lot of people.There’s been a heatwave and it would make a cat more vulnerable to foxes etc, with no opportunity for safe shelter. If your cat died due to being outside all the time, the sitter would be negligent. The cat’s safety is the number one priority. A couple of litter box accidents are more easily resolved.

I do think your sitter should’ve said upfront she didn’t agree with your cat being outside all the time, so you could make a decision whether to hire her or not.

The issue isn't the cat being inside/ outside. The issue is that the cat pooped inside, an inconvenience to OP. @Tabbyz You do know it's one litter tray per cat, preferably in a different area of your home to sort the issue.

They have two litter trays downstairs and two upstairs. I have taken her to the vets a few times for it just to make sure she isn’t unwell or anything but they say it’s behavioural. I think because she spends a lot of time outside, when she’s in she just doesn’t want to use it. I have tried getting some soil too and mixing it in with the litter. The problem is, if it was just a solid poo on the floor it’s not a problem because I could just pick it up. But she sometimes has runny poo and will do it on the couch or the bed. I didn’t want to come home to runny poos all over the furniture. If my other cat had this issue, I wouldn’t have made the decision to put her outside, because she doesn’t like being outside. She much prefers to be in. I made the decision to keep Olivia out because she prefers to be outside and always has done so figured it solves the poo issue plus she would probably be happier being out for 4 days rather than being shut inside for 4 days. That would have caused her stress. However, I have taken onboard that a cat flap would solve this issue

she just refuses to use her litter tray for poos

perhaps change the litter. My cat won’t poo in the tray if the litter isn’t to her liking.

Glad to hear you are taking on board the cat flap option!!!!
I think your cats will love it! Though it may take a bit for them to get used to it. You have to persevere a bit.
Microchip ones are the only real option. Because magnetic ones, that I had, other kitties managed to get in too....

Could I suggest that when you get a cat flap, make sure the door is clear perspex. I had a rather dim cat that wouldn't use a cat flap that she couldn't see out of!

You made a judgment, your cat usually has free reign to come and go as she pleases and spends most of her time outside. She'd be better spending most of her time outside while I'm gone.

She is not usually shut outside for extended periods though.

The catsitter made a judgement, it is hot, the cat is distressed and crying to come in, I do not know this cat well enough to know that in this surprising heatwave the cat will be fine outside. It is better to come home to a poo in the house than a sickly cat in the garden. I can be sued for a sickly cat in the garden, I cannot be sued for a poo on the floor.

Very much this…… FFS

Our cat loves to be outside but she’s already been caused so much debate on our neighbourhood FB page: “Cats shouldn’t be allowed to roam freely! Cat owners should keep their cats indoors! Cats are decimating our local flora and fauna!” 🙄

I love all the posters queueing up to scold the OP even though they have no idea of the circumstances 🤣

It’s perfectly possible that poor Olivia has the choice of any number of shady bushes to shelter under when it’s hot, which would be far cooler than in the house. And there are these marvellous inventions called bowls that you can will with water…

But no. Clearly the OP lives in a place where the houses are surrounded by nothing but concrete, with no shade anywhere, no water… 😁

That’s not being dim, it’s being cautions in case of predators on the other side , it shows sense not to just dash through without seeing what’s there.