My Cats Won't Do Their Business Outside

[OkyDoke]

Hello! This is my first post on the litter tray, but I do read it quite often!

Anyway, my two cats (/kittens, approx. 9 months old, both male, both neutered and microchipped) are beginning to go outside. But no matter how long they are out there, they wait until they come inside to do their business in the litter tray.

Any ideas on how to train them to go outside? They make such a mess with the litter, they kick it everywhere. Although better than the alternative cleaning up I admit.

Thanks everyone!

I used to prefer my cats using a litter tray, it meant neighbours weren't bothered by them using their gardens as a toilet.
You can get covered trays that reduce the scatter.

I think if they insist on using the litter tray a covered one will be the best idea! Perhaps they just need to get over the excitement of the outdoors? Good point about the neighbours though, they can't yet get over the fences (or haven't tried) so hadn't considered that!

My 12 year old moggie insists on using a litter tray so we put it outside. That way you don't get the smell in the house and the neighbours don't have to deal with cat poo in the flower beds

I've had two outside-going boys who both preferred to do their duty inside the house. (One of whom only started doing it when he came to live with us: having been a street cat he came to prefer it rather than going inside through habit.)

After all, warm, dry, safe, self-cleaning (Huh!) - I don't blame them. I've never minded because I don't mind cleaning trays, it saves any frosty stares from neighbours who've found poo in their rose beds, and it enables you to keep a general eye on their health via poo status etc.

I'd try to clear up the mess by seeing if they'll use a covered tray. By the way, if you have two cats going inside, you'll need two trays at least. (If they eventually start to go outside for most of their business, you can re-assess the situation and a spare tray is always useful to have in a cupboard in case of seriously bad weather or illness.)

Didn't know about the two litter trays, we were told it was okay when we got them to use just one. I suppose they become more territorial as they get older?

I think I'm going to have to just put up with the trays aren't I? :D

YY to covered litter tray. If you are desperate for them to go out (not sure why) then try putting some of their used litter where you would like them to go.

Whoever advised you probably thought they'd soon be doing their business outside but if they're going to go inside, you'll likely have to rethink a tad. The general rule for indoor cats is one per cat plus one (Seniorboy has two trays to himself and uses both as the mood takes him) so at least two for the duration seems sensible. Maybe buy a new covered tray but keep the old (uncovered) one going until you see how it shapes up?

I don't know why I'm desperate for them to go out really, I think I just grew up with cats without litter trays so thought it was the norm. I am clearly wrong.

Covered litter tray to be purchased on payday. :)

Depending on how big your garden is you can try something I have found that works. I take some of their used litter out to a hidden spot in my garden and spread it about there so they can find it and work it out for themselves, also gets them used to using the same spot and not bothering with the neighbours gardens.