Litter tray advice anyone?

[duckyisback]

Our cat has been going outside for a few months now, but she still screams to come in to use the litter tray and will then go back outside.

We have moved the litter tray right next to the door, and had got rid of it a few weeks back, but once we got rid of it she just started weeing and pooing in the dogs beds and various other places in the house

Anyone have any experience of this or know what we could do to make her go to the toilet outside? Or are we just going to have to keep the litter box?

My previous cat was so easy, we just got rid of the litter box when he started going out and we had no problem

You are just going to have to keep the box. A lot of cats much prefer to toilet indoors, especially if it's raining or the ground is hard. At least then you will know if she has cystitis or other problems.

My current cat is 8 yrs old & has only ever used the litter box , she comes back in too , uses it then goes back out . Previous cats have been happy to go outside , but not all , very individual. We could never get rid of the litter tray - would cause her too much distress .

All my recent outside-going cats have used indoor facilities, including The Lodger who came to prefer them after raising himself on the street and presumably going 'au naturel' then.

I've never minded in the least. It enables you to keep an eye on their health via their inner workings, saves arguments with neighbours over poo in the rose beds, and they prefer it. It also makes life considerably easier if they're ill or old and have no option but to use them. At least they're used to them.

Thanks everyone. Every cat I had before just went outdoors so I had no idea they would do this! Will keep the litter box then

I had one like that, he was always out but would come in to use the tray. When I asked my vet about it she said he's scared. Apparently they are most vulnerable when doing their business and scardey cats like to come inside.

It was quite telling really as he wasn't a tough cat and never got into fights with other cats. Not like some of the other bruisers I've had.

The Lodger isn't/wasn't a scaredy cat but he preferred inside. I reckon, from knowing him, that he just recognised that outside was a potentially difficult place and liked to be able to keep his wits about him rather than being distracted by personal toileting needs.

My last cat I taught as a kitten by digging holes myself and sitting her on them when she wanted to use the tray. It sort of worked (there was a point where she just pooed on the lawn like a dog, the weirdo) and she stopped using the tray. She was a very timid cat and I think it was just too stressful when she got older, although if she found a nice raked patch of soil she'd use it. We brought the tray back as it helped with her slight incontinence.