Poo

[ATownCalledGallus]

How do you reconcile being a responsible, civic-minded, neighbourly citizen with having a cat that might poo regularly in your neighbours' gardens?

I'm in such a dilemma. We want a cat, I know it's natural for them to go outside, but I'd be mortified if I started causing my neighbours problems with cat poo. Especially my NDN who has amazing, beautiful manicured flower beds.

We have absolutely nowhere in the house i'd be happy to put a litter tray, I'm afraid - no room at all.

I kind of want to be persuaded that it's ok to let them run free outside, and the poo is fairly benign and decomposes v quickly ... but I suspect I'm deluding myself on that front ... How do you all rationalise it to yourselves, please??

Put a nice hooded litter tray in your garden.

Simples.

Thanks, Queen - would I need to install a cat flap in the back door for that to work? Or can you just let them out first thing/when they ask ...

(Can you tell I'm a total cat virgin?!?)

Also, wouldn't other cats get in to the tray if it was outside? And would it really be sturdy enough to survive the worst of winter weather without disintegrating/leaking/going mouldy?? Any links to good quality ones would be much appreciated!

You will need to have the option of having a litter tray inside. This is for the first 2-3 weeks when you should keep your cat inside after you first get them. You also need to keep the option available if your cat ever becomes ill or injured. If they get used to the litter tray inside, they are more likely to use it outside

(** disclaimer, cats do not always read the same instruction manuals as we do ....... my cat would come inside to poo. others wouldn't).

for what its worth i live in a very small terrace, and have the litter tray right by the backdoor in the small kitchen. Not ideal, but you have to keep the overlord happy .....

you don't have to have a cat flap.

If you do get a catflap, i strongly recommend one with a micro-chip sensor. This is to stop other cats coming inside the house.

do you have a feeling if there are many other cats in the neighbourhood?

You need a litter tray indoors. Like the previous poster said you have to keep them in for a few weeks when you first get them
we have a litter tray behind the sofa. I can’t see how you would get away with not having one.
Will you keep them in at night? They will need a tray then. Mind you I had one cat that used to wake me in the middle of the night to go out. He did use the tray in the day time.
My neighbour has a cat that constantly poos in our garden by the front door and it doesn’t decompose very quickly and it stinks too.
Hope that helps

welcome to the confusing world of being owned by a cat. if I were you I would put a catflap in the door unless you are at home all day. Are you planning on letting your cat run around outside, if so then they will piddle in places they probably shouldnt anyway, this marks their territory. If you buy a really good quality litter tray with a hood on it you can put it inside a shelter, something like a dog kennel (you can get them cat sized) and try and train it to use that, our cat spent all day outdoors but always came in for the loo. You could put this near the backdoor, cats don't generally like having to get wet in the rain.
Is there nowhere in the house you could put a tray, the toilet, bathroom, near the backdoor as someone else suggested.

We have our cat litter tray in the bathroom. Not a big bathroom either.
And a nearby dustpan and brush to sweep up stray litter granules. As well as a mat that collects litter as best it can.
She goes when we go. It's pretty comical.

Queenofaccidentaldeathstares I'd be doing a death stare at you now if I could see you:). Of course you have to have a cat flap if you don't have a litter tray. Cats want to go when they want to go, so they always need the option of either a flap or a tray.

OP - any cat would have to be kept inside for at least the first three weeks, so you would have to have a tray then anyway. And, as said above, you always have to be willing to have a tray, even though you may be able to get away without having one, you absolutely can't bank on it. Some cats don't like to go outside in the rain, or when the ground is frozen, or if another scary cat is in the garden. In which case, if you don't have a tray, the cat may well decide to piss on the floor, or even on your bed instead. And when the cat gets old, or ill, you will almost certainly need a tray.

In short, if you aren't prepared to have a tray, don't get a cat. This has nothing whatsoever to do with being a good neighbour and everything to do with the welfare of the cat, especially as you are likely to try to get rid of it if it does start to toilet on your sofa or wherever.

If you want a cat you need to accept all that comes with them wee and poo included. A tray is essential especially before letting them outside. Even after it is sensible and safer to keep them in overnight so tray is needed.
As for outdoors I have found making sure we have some easy to dig in soil in our own garden stops them going elsewhere. (Well it worked for the last two not sure on the young hooligan as he's not been out yet).

Ah, ok. I didn't realise a litter tray was a necessity in all cases - didn't think about them getting sick etc. Total newbie here! Thanks for the advice, though. If it was in the kitchen it would be right next to our dining table - yeuccch - and the bathroom's pretty small. I feel I may need to think again ...

Our bathroom is tiny and the tray is in there. Next time you are ... er....contemplating, have a fresh look at where it might go.

Insurance is an absolute must. Petplan is great in what I hope is the unlikely event you need it.

thecatneuterer I have always provided the feline overlord with litter tray and/or catflap. I just know someone who doesn't (i'll admit this doesn't seem a sensible idea to me, but it works for them... ). Am happy to learn that they might be an exception/unusual. And thinking about it, perhaps not to be recommended for newbies.