How to persuade cat to stop using litter tray and go outside?

[ProperLavs]

Both my kittens are 6 months old and happily spend a lot of time outside. Then boy goes outside to do his business and has for a while. The girl uses the tray. I've even seen her having fun outside, come in to use the tray and then go out again.
I really want to be rid of this damn stinky tray business. I had really hoped once both cats could go out that they would naturally stop using the tray.
Has anyone successfully weaned their cats off the tray and onto the garden? Any tips would be not welcome!

We went cold turkey. I sprinkled some cat litter on the border and took the tray away.

We did similar, sprinkled some on a bed of soil and hoped for the best. One of them has got it, the other is a bit slow, he'll get there.

I think taking a tray away from a cat that prefers to go inside is a bad idea. It might work out OK but you run the risk that she'll start urinating or soiling indoors on carpets or furniture. Litter trays aren't especially pleasant but they shouldn't "stink" if the cat is fed a good diet and they are scooped regularly. Some cats are more nervous and don't like to toilet outside.

I personally would always have a tray inside it's not stinky if kept clean. In my opinion it's a sign of good cat ownership as if they don't do their business in the tray they will be doing their business in one of your neighbours gardens.

Why is the litter tray stinky? It shouldn't be if it's cleaned and changed.
As for pooing outside, if you're neighbours are lucky and the cats will stick yo your garden you'll still have to clean up the poo because they aren't always that great at burying them.
Of course you could be hoping the cats use everyone elses garden in which case you don't hsve to deal with the poo at all. 😐

OK, i'll replace the word stinky if that would help. The tray is not stinky, poo is removed as soon as it appears and it is changed and refreshed regularly. I just don't want to have to have it in the house any more.

If you really don't want one then you can try sprinkling litter outside where you'd like her to go. If she still prefers to go inside then your only real option is to take the tray away, cross your fingers, and hope she'd rather go outdoors than on your carpets or furniture. I'd keep the tray so that you can put it back in place if you get problem toileting. Some cats just don't respond well to litter trays being removed though, many end up in shelters because they've soiled soft furnishings because they have fear of or general aversion to going outside. Some cats will live quite happily without a tray and others will need a tray for their whole lives

Put the litter tray outside?

Thanks, I'll maybe start with the tray outside and move it slowly further away from the house. They have a good sized garden and open countryside at the back.

Move the litter tray a few centimetres towards to garden door each day until so that eventually the litter tray makes its way outside. Cats by nature like their routines and don't like sudden changes. Good luck!

I gradually moved the tray outside so she got used to it, started inside but by the back door, then at the other side of the door outside, and gradually further away and onto the grass. It got her used to meowing at the door when she needed to use it first. Then I removed it altogether and she has never had an accident in the house. I think they get used to it quickly.

Be prepared for dirty protests, especially as the weather gets colder and wetter... are they both neutered if they're going outside?

I'll do the tray moving. There are cat flaps they happily use. Both neutered, etc. thanks

You can buy outside litter trays. I'd hate fir mine to be going outside to the toilet especially in this weather. It also ensures that they come in so I can lock them in on a night.

Yeah, should have started this in the summer!