Three cats - one won't go outside - litter tray issue - help please!

[FreckledLeopard]

So, we have three cats. Eldest we've had for almost seven years. She's never been a big fan of the outdoor world but has had a cat flap and gone out to pee/poo.

We then got two kittens in June (brother and sister) who she loathes (the boy in particular - she will tolerate the girl). I've sprayed Feliway, tried to get her to tolerate them etc.

Anyhow, we moved house in October - all cats were kept indoors for the first month with litter tray - fine. Then, opened the cat flap in November and the kittens learned to use if within about 5 minutes and run in and out, explore the area and generally are fine. Problem is that our older cat won't go outside. I took the litter tray away in December and the kittens immediately used outdoors for a loo (flowerbeds). But older cat started pooing and peeing on the doormat.

So, I've had to reintroduce the litter tray, but of course now the kittens are using it from time to time, as well as going outside. It needs changing all the time (three cats, one litter tray - it gets very gross very quickly) and I really want to get rid of it.

So, any wise cat-owners - how do I get older cat to go outside? She's quite nervous and timid at the best of times, hates other cats, doesn't like change. I'd be very grateful for help. I'm thinking of trying to bribe her with tuna, but I'm not convinced she'd go out of the cat flap even if a whole fresh tuna fish was waiting for her on the otherside.

Sorry - if she knows all about going outside and doesn't like it, then I rather think you're stuck with the tray(s). You'll definitely need more than one though.

Really? Is there a way I can make the kittens continue to go outside, and reserve litter tray for cat?

I am so sick of changing litter. And she used to go outside at the last house

In my view, the slight difficulty you have with the kittens is that they've now had - say? - a couple of weeks or a month to learn that if they want to use inside, there's going to be a facility there. Your hope might be that they're still young enough to have security wobbles and the weather has been lousy. Once the nights lengthen, the temperature rises, the flowerbeds become dryer and more pleasant to use - and they become more confident - then you might see them using outside more than anything else. Regularly forking over the earth in the flowerbeds will help as it will make the soil easier to dig for them and drier on the surface; so more attractive to use.

As far as your older girl is concerned that's a different matter. You say that she didn't like outside much to begin with and she dislikes the other two. I suspect those two things have compounded so that she now sees outside as their territory and only feels secure enough to do her duty inside the house. She was trying after a fashion (only using one place) but couldn't just make it out.

I think you'll probably have to live with that one. I've had cats before who actually came in to pee and poo while going out to play and hang out - they just felt happier and safer using a tray inside. Sounds like she's a bit of a sensitive soul.

So - more trays for the duration (always good to have a spare or two anyway if they turn out to be not needed come spring) and have a look at your litter tray methods, maybe. Are you dumping out the whole tray daily or just scooping and refreshing until changeover time? Litter is a bit of a pain but shouldn't really drive you to distraction if you're using the right litter and methods.

Just my thoughts, anyway. Others may have different views or suggestions.

PS (and sorry for the tome)

I know you said she used outside at the last house but remember that the kittens are now much older/more feisty probably, they might gang up on her a little as litter mates, and they've all had to deal with a house move and its attendant adjustment issues. Which included a whole month inside with trays for her.

I think this may be the way things have now shaken out in this house and this new situation even though she went outside previously.

Put the litter tray just outside the cat flap and take her out lock cat flap until she goes?

You need at least one more tray, preferably upstairs if the other one is downstairs, also use the crystal litter, it doesnt need full changes for a couple weeks.

Thank you! I'm hoping that in the summer she'll get used to going out more and sunbathing. Is the crystal litter really worth the extra cost?

Thank you! I'm hoping that in the summer she'll get used to going out more and sunbathing. Is the crystal litter really worth the extra cost?

honestly it is. Remove poos as and when, a bag will do 2-3 trays and you wont need to change the lot for 2 weeks.