How to I get my kittens to stop using the litter tray?

[sweetheart]

My kittens are 5 months old now, fully vaccinated, neutered, chipped etc and have been going outside for about 4 weeks now. They have mastered the art of using the cat flap so can let themselves in and out independently. I have already moved their litter tray to outside the back door about a week or so ago but they are still using it. Anyone know what the next step is? Do I just take it away or should I move it further down the garden.....stop cleaning it out and changing the litter???

They'll stop on their own. Just keep cleaning it out as normal.

I don't understand why you won't just have a tray in the house even if it's not being used. They come in handy.

When we shut our cats in they miaowed at 5am to be let out.

When we shut them out they miaowed at 5am to be let in.

We got a cat flap

OP, if you want them to stop using the litter tray take it away. They'll find somewhere else to poo.

I keep mine in at night and don't have a tray. Both my cats wee in the toilet if they need to but tbh they both just sleep all night.

Litter trays are disgusting things, even my cat this been housebound with a cone of shame for a week hates the things and had made me escort her to the garden to do her business rather than use the tray.

We

Pyjamacat just stopped using her tray on her own. I still keep one out for her but she only uses it for sleeping occasionally

Put the litter box on the flower bed. Once it's been well used empty it into the flower bed. They'll get the idea. Oh, and mine is locked in over night (night fall till 7.30ish am with no litter box. No accidents ever in 5 years.

Litter trays are recommended even if your cat has outdoor access icatcare.org/advice/choose-litter-tray
If it's raining, stormy or cold cats may not want to go outdoors just to toilet, also if they have any conflicts with neighbour cats they may prefer not to go out, so it's better to offer them an indoor option too.

If I were you, I think I'd keep one around so that he's used to it, bonzo. You can never really forecast when they might decide that they don't want to go out for some reason - or they're not well and can't hold it in/you need to keep them in - and a first accident can be a heck of a shock to the system. (Especially at 2 in the morning. )

I can't believe some people on this thread lock their cats in at night without providing a litter tray. It's cruel and frankly asking for an accident to happen one day, which will be unpleasant for the cat and owner. If you think litter trays are so disgusting (they're not, they're easy to keep clean if you get good clumping litter) don't have a cat!

Oh please. Dos you not read he part where o said both my cats use the toilets?

Hey Palomb, how did you teach your cats to do that?

That's amazing

I've got the worlds most intelligent and stroppy tortoiseshell cat and she has always done it since she was tiny. The other cat is a rather dim witted but absolutely lovely black and white cat and I think the torti must have shown her what to do. If we leave the toilet seat down they both wee down the plug hole in the bath. They must just do all their pooing during the day as I don't think they use the toilet for that.. Unless they've mastered flushing too

It wasn't something we planned but it definitely makes life easier!

Palomb I was mainly talking about bonzo. Amazed that your cats use the toilet! I did see an online tool to help train them to use the toilet, but didn't think it would work. Do you have a cat flap in your bathroom door or just leave the door open?

Correction: I saw a tool online. Not an online tool. It was a toilet seat not a YouTube video!!

cozie she uses the tray when at the Cattery (1-2x a year) and I get it out if there's any major upheaval as she tends to stay in when stressed (we had builders, a house move and a new baby this summer). I know they vary, but I've never had one that forgot what to do with a tray. In fact I once had a feral one that had never used one and he got it within 24 hours.

I know - but eg you never know when an illness is going to strike. You can quickly nip to the loo if you get an attack of the collywobbles but you have to cater for her knowing what to do also, I think. There may come a day when she just can't last for some reason.

OP, to answer your original question, I found that both my cats - who have always had free access to outdoors - stopped using the litter tray of their own accord at about six months of age. After several weeks of the tray not being used at all, I put it away. I haven't had a litter tray indoors since, though I have kept it in case either of the cats ever need it. You might find that your kittens do the same.

To answer the original question just get rid of it. If yiu have an area you would prefer them to use in the garden empty a bit of the litter and " contents" there.
I've had cats for over 30 years and have always had a cat flap. Never lost one yet to a fox or car.

Unless you have no neighbours and live in the countryside, don't let your cats out to shit in everyone else's garden. Why not deal with it in your own house. What's wrong with that?

Sorry if that sounds OTT but I have bad pregnancy sickness at the moment and I just had to move yet another stinking cat turd from the garden. And no, we don't have a cat.
Normally I guess it wouldn't piss me off so much!
Can cats have outside litter trays or is that asking for trouble??

They can, there are covered ones, or you can put one under cover somewhere accessible, although you might get other cats using them, that's the advantage of having them inside. We have two in the house (2 cats) and some big plant pots with bare soil in the garden which they (or others, we don't know) use and we clear, it's far better than finding shit in your veg patch.