Winter litter tray arrangements

[TheFurryMenace]

We did away with our litter tray when our cat started going out earlier in the year as she no longer used it. She's usually a real outdoor lover, but now its winter, she's not keen to go out so much (and really not keen today with the snow and all). She's been out a couple of times just for a few minutes today. Im a bit worried she might start doing her business indoors again, and I obviously dont want to make her go out when we go out if the weather is terrible. Should I put her litter tray back out again? If I do, is there a chance she will over rely on it again come spring? What do other people do? We cant have a cat flap btw.

I would put the tray back. Mines locked in overnight so we've always had a tray.

I wouldn't fancy going outside to wee in this weather either.

I would also put the tray back. In fact if you don't have a cat flap of course you have to have a tray!! What if she wants to go when you're out, or in bed? It's, now I'm not going to use the word 'cruel' but it's getting that way, to not provide either a tray or a flap.

Our cat is four and she’s always reverted to the tray in winter, no problems going outside again when the weather perked up. She’d rather I was running out to the bin with dirty litter than go out herself!

W don’t have a cat flap, just open the back door as requested. We have a litter tray as back up even though it rarely gets used.

Papergirl - that's fine. You have the tray as back up. That's what you have to do. It's terribly stressful for a cat to sometimes have no access to toilet facilities at all.

She should have a litter tray.

Yes litter tray. She'll go outside again when weather better.

But she should have a permanent litter tray all year round, for the times when no one is around to open the door.

My cats are always in at night. They have always had litter trays. It's part of having a cat!

My older cat vastly prefers going outside, even in this weather - but she has a tray in case I'm late home from work or in bed etc. It's rarely used - I am amazed at her abilities to keep her legs crossed!

I’m stunned you have to ask, quite frankly. Of course she needs a tray inside for winter, regardless if it inconveniences you. Sheesh.

Thank you for the advice.