Will my cat remember how to use the litter tray?

[Judystilldreamsofhorses]

We’ve had our lovely cat just over a year. When we got her she was mainly an indoor cat, and used a litter tray. After a couple of months, we started letting her out - she doesn’t roam beyond a couple of gardens either side, but now prefers to toilet outside. We don’t have a cat flap, so she tends to go out in the morning before we leave for work, again after work, then likes a wander just before bedtime.

We’re going away for a few days and MIL will be coming in twice a day to feed and fuss her. I am concerned about her toilet habits though. I think MIL will be happy to let her out, but not to hang about waiting for her - we leave her to it and she comes to the kitchen window when she wants in. Does anyone know, will she remember how to use the tray? We’ve always kept her tray available, but even in the deep snow earlier in the year she didn’t want to use it, and DP ended up digging her an outside toilet and carrying her out!

We leave on Sunday lunchtime and are back Wednesday afternoon, so she has two full days with just a twice-daily visitor. Both of us work full time, so she’s used to being home alone and indoors through the day. DP says I am worrying about nothing. Will she be okay?

In my experience they don't forget. I think it's instinctive. If you can put a couple of trays down for her, that'll probably be better, but not near her food, as they don't like to toilet close to where they eat.

Enjoy your break.

She wont have forgotten, no way.
I had a cat and she was out all the time and just came back for meals etc. She had to go to the vet and board overnight and they said she used the tray fine. This was after years of just going outside.
I'd tell MIL she needs to be cleaning the tray everyday though, Cats do not like a dirty tray.

Thanks for your replies - they make me feel much better! MIL has two cats of her own, so is well-versed with the ways of the tray and fussy felines.

When my poor old boy got really poorly I started to set up a litter tray as I didn't want him to feel he had to venture outside to go to the toilet.

He was very old, confused and poorly. Hasn't used a litter tray for many years.

I fetched the tray from the loft and went to my car to get the litter. By the time I came back he has climbed in the empty tray and done a huge wee.

So, I don't think they forget!