I'd be really glad of some advice from cat experts, if anyone has a moment.
Our elderly cat (14 and a half) is healthy, normal weight etc and doesn't usually have any problems going out to do her thing...we have a big garden which is all hers.
Recently we had to replace the back door. The old one was falling apart and so I managed finally to get a second hand one which is very very thick and solid.
I tried to fit a cat flap in it but failed epically. I have cut through worktops before with my jigsaw, but this door is resistant and the cuts were going off at such an awful angle that I had to give up as I was butchering it. The wood is very dense I think.
Anyway we now have no flap. So I bought her a covered tray, took the flap off that as she didn't like it - and she is having real trouble.
She has pooed on the carpet, not sure where else she has weed but though she tries her best I think she has resorted to other places once or twice. She scratches around in the night, trying and failing to go - she has had cystitis twice - an old problem she used to get when stressed. (it's only been a few weeks)
She is also being odd in the sense of being sick next to it from time to time, also stress I think. I don't know what to do.
I am here most of the time so can let her in and out but that doesn't seem to be enough and obvs at night it's risky.
I don't want to lock her out all night, especially when it gets colder - I'm not sure what to do. She has always been an in and out cat and this new lifestyle is not suiting her at all.
Any thoughts appreciated. Thankyou.