Early morning accidents?!

[killerjane]

After a house move in august, we finally had our two cats (6 & 7) settled, cat flap acquainted and in and out during the day like bl**dy yo-yo’s. They’ve had a couple of run ins with neighbouring cats, been scared, but then got over it and are now a-okay with their new digs.

Then one day we had a little wee accident in one of our spare bedrooms early morning (my boyfriend is up at 05.30 for work). We didn’t think much of it and both cats were in and out for the rest of the day from when I get up around 8am.

Then this morning, the culprit was scratching on the spare bedroom door (which has remained closed since - why is cat pee such a bugger to clean!?) and was visibly running around looking for somewhere to toilet.

Eventually I donned the dressing gown and tempted them both out into the cold, dark morning with dreamies. At which point, she had a rather large ‘toilet’ in our abandoned veg patch.

So what do I do? Is this a potential medical issues (we’re due at the vets in half term), or lazy cats not wanting to go out into the cold/dark. Do I give in and get a litter tray (which I really don’t want to do, now they’re going out during the day) or try feliway!?

Any advice very much appreciated!!!

My mums cats can be lazy. They are about 14 now so getting on a bit and they tend to not go out as much so she has had to put a cat litter in the back hallway and just removes it in the morning.

That’s actually a really good idea - might float it with the OH.

I was so proud of them actually finally going out that I didn’t want to sully it with the litter box coming back out, but if it was only overnight that could work!

Could be there was a cat in the garden and that's why they didn't want to go out.

Even if your cats toilet outside most of the time, it is always a good idea to keep a litter tray indoors even if it is rarely used.

There is one cat that is a bugger so definitely could have been that!

Do you find they go back to relying on peeing/pooing indoors though if there’s a litter tray inside constantly?? I’m starting to agree, especially over winter, but worried they’ll become lazy and won’t bother going out...

Mine current cats are indoor cats but my friend has outdoor cats and they occasionally use the tray. I think they do use it more in winter due to rain / cold etc.

Yes you should have a tray if they don't have free access to outside or the weather is bad. We still have ours which gets used occasionally. I'd rather have litter than have to clean pee/poo off the floor

My cats very rarely use the tray but its there if they need it. It has not encouraged them to use it more by it being available

My two are outdoor cats and still occasionally use their tray, even in the daytime when they're allowed out. They get a bit bullied by next doors cats or sometimes it's just too wet / cold. I would provide them a litter tray for now, you might find as time goes on and they settle in more that they use it less.

Litter tray. I think it's pretty mean to only allow cats to use the toilet at your convenince. I wouldn't expect to be denied access to a toilet if I needed it. Not sure it's good for bladders either.

You always need a tray. Cats will do it in the house if you don’t provide facilities.

Outdoor toilets were never very popular for humans either.

Definitely get a tray... It won't necessarily mean they revert to using it all the time. I have two cats who have access to a cat flap at all times but still have two litter trays. One cat uses the tray exclusively and always has, the other will only use it very occasionally...

Thank you! Looks like it might be the best option going forward into these awful dark mornings 🥶