how to untoilet train your kittens :advice please

[tigerdriver]

they are four months old. Collected them from a lovely breeder about a month or so ago. They are perfectly housetrained and we haven't had an accident at all, but they insist on only using their litter tray and not pooing in the great outdoors. They are going to be outdoor cats and I don't want to put up with a litter tray for much longer. We have a big garden and there's a field next to the house, so there is plenty of room for the poo and I boot them out as much as possible. any tips? Should I sprinkle some used litter in the "designated" poo area (like that'll work!) and see if they use it. One of them has been out all day but has been crying to get in, but only so he could stick his bum in the litter.

help!

let them use the tray
they like it
it's not your carpet

and if they poo outdoors it will be in someone else's flowerbed/ children's sandpit, which isn't wildly neighbourly

your cats - you pick up the poo

I speak as a devoted cat owner, BTW

Why not try moving their litter tray outside, somewhere that's covered over ideally, so that it won't flood when it rains!

Yes, I agree with Martha tbh. I used to have a cat like this. Drove me mad. But I have since heard (from more than one source) that cats rarely poo in their own garden, they go next door, or find a nice gravel drive, or local sandpit etc. So fair's fair (imo) your cat - you deal with the poo.

I found that the "problem" decreased when I chance my dcat to dried food rather than tinned/pouches. They poo less on dried food.

If they like the tray let them use the tray. Is very handy having cats that will use the tray at times. When they have to be kept in for whatever reason etc.
But litter trays arn't nice to have in the house. What I've always done with mine, is to move the tray bit by bit over a few days closer to the back door, until after a few days of it being near door, during the day put the tray outside.
Then bring it in at night with moggy.

Oh and also buy a covered cat loo thing. I have one like this
Stops all smells and is fine to put outside because rain can't get in

hth

thanks for suggestions all

Martha,there arent really any neighbours to worry about, just a field. We live in the sticks, and yes I know we are lucky. There are other houses within sight but no-one has had an alien cat poo problem IYSWIM

I really just loathe the smell of cat litter, the mess (cos they like to play in it, the angels) and the collecting up the poo from the litter and shoving it in bags. If they poo outside in the field or our garden, I'd be quite happy. I don't grow veg so we won't have cat poo in the carrots.

My 13 yo cat and his recently deceased sister never use a litter tray unless confined to barracks and I've never seen any poo from them. Dried food already.

I'll try the tray outside routine if it's dry, and maybe stick some used litter in the loo area, and see what gives but any more suggestions would be appreciated. As far as I'm concerned, cats are outdoor pets, so need to poo outside!

Hey Underthebored - that looks great. I will investigate. My big boy kitten has just cried until I let him in - from the biggest cat loo he could want - and produced the worlds greatest stinker as I type. Action is needed.

but not motion

Move the tray nearer the catflap gradually, until it is right by it. Then move it outside right next to the cat flap.

Give each new position about a week.

I am telling you this only because you don't think pooing in neighbours gardens will be problem

thanks Jux.

It wont be, honest.

The only pooing that goes on in neighbours' gardens is the peacocks. Not mine, you understand, but they are lodging here and crapping profusively.

I think the allweather cat loo might be the biz. I've had to shut the cats in the hall now as the poo stench is putting me off my typing.

I think given time, they'll make the switch. You'll just have to be patient. Once they feel your garden is their territory (not just the house) they'll mark it accordingly...