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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

putting cats out at night

20 replies

Bronte · 30/01/2011 11:41

Have just started putting our 3 cats out to save much needed pennies ie not buying cat litter. They have got cat beds in the green house for shelter and so far they don't appear to be bothered. I just feel really mean shooing them out when they're all asleep in the lounge! Please reassure me that I'm just being a big softie!

OP posts:

purpleknittingmum · 30/01/2011 11:46

I am no help, our cat is a spoilt house cat!

catwhiskers10 · 30/01/2011 11:56

You are just being a softie, sounds like you have made adequate arrangements for their comfort.
I still feel guilty about my cats being confined to the kitchen with access to a cat flap though because they used to be spoilt house cats and don't get half as much attention as they used to, but since having DD I don't want them having the run of the house and the place stays a lot cleaner without them lounging on beds and leaving nose prints all over the windows.
I console myself by thinking that some people live in worse conditions than them.
They probably enjoy being outside better than stuck in the house.

Original poster

Bronte · 30/01/2011 12:14

Thank you catwhiskers! The kitchen certainly smells a lot more pleasant! Spring not too far round the corner now anyway!

OP posts:

TwoIfBySea · 30/01/2011 12:18

My two youngest ones are just getting used to going out after moving house. They used to be house cats whereas the oldest wouldn't stay in a house regardless.

You've done more than I have though, with the beds in the green house!

I keep mine in at night though because we have a few foxes in the area and it is better to be safe!

BluddyMoFo · 30/01/2011 12:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

thirtysomething · 30/01/2011 12:40

I have 3 and keep them in at night but they don't need cat litter. They just seem to have got used to not needing to relieve themselves at night! One occasionally leaves a pile of vomit (lovely) during the night - ongoing food tolerance issues - but other than that we have never had any probs. But it sounds like yours are fine out at night and probably snooze on their outside beds anyway!

simpson · 30/01/2011 20:56

I also keep mine in at night. But don't have anyhwhere outside to make them comfy/warm iyswim.

But I have started shooing them outside in the day now to save on cat litter (mainly the smell )and it does seem to be working

They have adapted pretty well and I call them in for meals etc (don't have cat flap) and they go back outside after they have eaten.

I let them in from about 7pm onwards or when ever they make an appearance

It also means they are nicely tired in the eves and don't wake the DC up just as they are going to bed by charging around like mad things.

GrimmaTheNome · 30/01/2011 21:01

Our cats were always let out whenever they wanted in the day and shut in the shed at night (with a warm nest of old woolies in a cardboard box)

I don't think cat litter had been invented.

If you leave your cats out at night they may end up in fights if there's a territorial tom. And it gives them all the more chance to prey on birds.

They should be fine shut in the greenhouse.

mablemurple · 30/01/2011 21:15

Well I'm glad they've got somewhere to go, but why do you have to lock them out? We don't have a litter tray either but don't put our cats out at night as they have access to the outside via the cat flap. Can't you install one somewhere?

Original poster

Bronte · 31/01/2011 12:23

Great to hear how everyone else manages.
I'm feeling less guilty about pushing them out now!

OP posts:

seeker · 31/01/2011 12:25

Get a cat flap. Cats should come and go as they please.

sazm · 31/01/2011 23:15

mine go out through the day,but i like them in at night,its pretty cold out there through the night and we feed them at bedtime,so they come in and stay in while its really cold (is about -6 here tonight)

i buy tesco value cat litter which is about £1.40 a bag,it lasts us a week or so - we have 8 cats (yes 8!!!)

if you bought that you would prob hardly notice the cost!!!

purpleknittingmum · 01/02/2011 20:24

That is cheap cat litter! Is it clumping or non clumping?

I found the clumping one was awful, chucking away about all the lumps of wee!

Shall have to look around, don't shop in Tesco!

sazm · 01/02/2011 20:31

its non clumping,just standard cat litter!!they have just changed it slightly and its better now,
tbh we usually have to empty the tray (all 8 seem to poop through the night!!)so i totally clean it in the morning,usually throughout the day i scoop it a few times,but the bag lasts a week in our house,so will def last you that long!!

purpleknittingmum · 01/02/2011 20:57

sounds good!

8 cats!! I would love more but no can do!!

My mum shops in Tesco, might get her to look out for it for us!

Thanks!

alicatte · 01/02/2011 21:03

I have begun using the crystal cat litter. Mine only use it in the winter but I have always kept them in at night. They are huntresses and too many dead and half dead prey animals convinced me to keep them under curfew.

This crystal cat litter is expensive but it really is odourless, really odourless. I couldn't believe it myself but it has transformed my mornings in the winter.

sazm · 01/02/2011 21:06

lol we started off with 2,then our cat had kittens so HAD to keep one!!

hubby works on a farm and brings home any farm kittens and irear them and we rehome them - well thats whats meant to happen,we have kept one from each litter! one time we kept 2 as they were quite big when he found them,and they took a while to tame,one is now a big lazy house cat lol.
the last litter there was a really ill one,it was so scraggy and poorly,hubby had to syringe feed it every few hours,was very touch and go,its now a daft fluff ball,hasnt grown much but hubby cant bear to part with him!!!

purpleknittingmum · 01/02/2011 21:22

Aww! I will try and work out how to put a photo on my profile of our cat!

I use flickr and they are all on there, can we link it from here...is that OK? I am stil new on here!

ullainga · 02/02/2011 12:14

I hated cleaning the litter box, so the first thing we got when we moved was a cat flap. Cats can come and go as they please, no shooing necessary. They have never had an accident indoors.

sazm · 03/02/2011 08:51

we are moving in a couple of weeks and the new house already has a cat flap,might be interesting trying to teach them all to use it (one is a huge cat and i have visions of him getting stuck,and also the dog trying to follow and getting his head stuck!)
am just hoping they all stay with us and dont try to find their way home:(

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