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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

Original poster

Advice for keeping DCat inside

55 replies

Absoluteunit · 08/04/2020 07:50

Hi, I am hoping for some advice from experienced cat owners please?

We "inherited" DCat a couple of years ago. We were looking after him temporarily when his owner was going through some problems but in the end she wanted us to keep him. Love him to bits but the long and short of it is I'm not an experienced cat owner.

He's a gorgeous boy and very friendly. He loves to visit all the neignbours in our cul de sac for fuss and to chance his arm for some food!

I've just seen on the bbc news that we should try to keep him indoors now because of COVID 19. He's not going to like that especially now the sun is out so be can sunbathe outside all day!

Anyway, he used to use a litter tray when he first came to stay but when he started to go outside we stopped using it. If I put them out for him now do you think he will start to use it when he can't go outside or is there a way I can encourage him again?

Sorry if this is a stupid question! Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
lubeybooby · 08/04/2020 07:56

Mine don't roam very much so I'm going to continue letting them out. It's vet advice, not government. I'm also rural with very sparse population so that helps my decision. I think the risk is extremely low even in more built up areas

bellinisurge · 08/04/2020 07:59

I'd beef up your hand hygiene around him. Particularly if you think he often gets petted by other people.
It's not formal advice as op has said.
Jackson Galaxy on YouTube has helped me with my set up for my 100% indoor cat but it seems like the advice is suggestion rather than order. And good hand hygiene- as if we weren't all already washing our hands into stumps! - seems to be the idea.
I, for one, will resist even further the temptation to pet any cats I see when out on a walk.

Grumpyoldpersonwithcats · 08/04/2020 08:28

This is a comment from one senior vet who has said people should 'try' to keep cats in.

Bloody irresponsible BBC reporting.

If the Government mandate that my cats stay in I'll do it. If one vet says try (without any real evidence to say it's a problem) then I ignore the advice.

The only upshot of this advice is that more cats will be killed and injured by idiots taking this is an excuse for animal cruelty.

thecatneuterer · 08/04/2020 08:34

The only upshot of this advice is that more cats will be killed and injured by idiots taking this is an excuse for animal cruelty. Unfortunately this. This has just panicked me. This is thoughtless reporting. 'Don't stroke other people's cats' would have been all that needed to be said.

Veterinari · 08/04/2020 08:36

The headlines are inaccurate and do not reflect recommendations fromBVA or RCVS

Jamonit · 08/04/2020 08:37

The only upshot of this advice is that more cats will be killed and injured by idiots taking this is an excuse for animal cruelty.

This has made my heart sink too.

Schoolchoicesucks · 08/04/2020 08:39

Yes! Why has the advice come out to keep cats in rather than not to stroke strange pets? (Which is, you know, useful advice and works for other animals too!).

My cat is rather skittish and anti-social so unlikely to let someone else stroke her. I do not intend to make her stay inside (would have to go and make an otherwise non essential large supermarket trip to buy litter tray and litter too!)

BovaryX · 08/04/2020 08:43

The only upshot of this advice is that more cats will be killed and injured by idiots taking this is an excuse for animal cruelty

I agree. I think it's highly irresponsible of the BBC. There are some people who hate animals and this kind of stuff can 'legitimise' cruelty. I fear that all around the world cats are being dumped and being hurt because of this. They are another victim of this blasted virus. It is appalling the BBC had been so irresponsible given its official government status as a 'trusted' news source.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/04/2020 08:51

I'm fed up with the irresponsible reporting everywhere. My garden is thankfully cat-proofed so Harry can't get out as I'd be worried sick about what might happen to him.

Tonyaster · 08/04/2020 08:54

Going out for exercise for an hour only also isn't offical government advice but people on here seem to think it is.

I think it's sensible to plan how you might have to keep your cat in if it becomes necessary.

keentohelp · 08/04/2020 08:57

Any ideas on how we issue a complaint to the bbc about this? It's pretty shocking reporting that is already being misinterpreted by many.

Tonyaster · 08/04/2020 09:01

It seems common sense to me. If you stroke your cat then it goes out and meets another cat or goes and sits on someone's garden furniture it could spread the virus. Probably risk is low but people are, quite rightly, nervous.

FlamingoAndJohn · 08/04/2020 09:01

The article is confusing nonsense.

The only way you will catch it from your cat is if some random infected person touches your cat.

BovaryX · 08/04/2020 09:02

keen
Follow this link to complain. Their reporting is highly irresponsible and as you say, it will be shared and interpreted as cats posing a risk which will have dire consequences. Not just in the UK. The BBC should be ashamed of their sloppy, inaccurate reporting and the consequences it will have for cats.

www.bbc.com/news/20039682

GrateBallsofMozzarella · 08/04/2020 09:02

Yes I certainly don’t want to be vilified by my nasty neighbour for not keeping mine in. The advice should be don’t stroke/sneeze/cough on other people’s cats. Then there is no risk to the owners or other people.

Tonyaster · 08/04/2020 09:03

FlamingoAndJohn what if you are infected and then stroke your cat?

DaphneFanshaw · 08/04/2020 09:05

I agree with others awful irresponsible reporting by the BBC.

Tonyaster · 08/04/2020 09:07

Jesus, surely at this time when people are suffering so much, the idea of having to keep your cat in shouldn't be this difficult? Dog owners are managing to walk their dogs only once a day!

FlamingoAndJohn · 08/04/2020 09:08

@Tonyasterf I’m infected and then stroke my cat it’s the same as if I sit on a chair or open the curtains. Nothing unless someone else touches that item.
The article should have said ‘don’t touch cats that aren’t yours’.

FlamingoAndJohn · 08/04/2020 09:10

Dogs and cats are different.
My cat only goes in my garden. Why should I keep her in?

Tonyaster · 08/04/2020 09:11

FlamingoAndJohn well no, because if your cat then goes out and sits on someone's garden furniture or rubs against their bin, or goes into their house (which cats sometimes do), then presumably the virus can be transmitted that way.

Tonyaster · 08/04/2020 09:11

If your cat can be contained in your garden then it's fine!

FlamingoAndJohn · 08/04/2020 09:12

My cat doesn’t do that, Tony. She stays in my garden.

NotMeNoNo · 08/04/2020 09:16

Its from a stupid misleading article on the BBC website, none of the expert advice quoted actually backs it up.

TheSultanofPingu · 08/04/2020 09:25

I'm not keeping my cat in. What's your point Tony? Dogs are allowed out only once a day, therefore cats shouldn't be allowed out at all?