Getting rid of litter tray advice

[Dixie29]

We rescued our 3 Yr old cat 3 weeks ago and kept him in. We now have a cat flap and I'm desperate to get rid of the litter tray. It's not really ideal for us to have one as we only have one open plan room living /dining/kitchen so it's quite imposing.

Should I just get rid of it straight away now he's going out so he has no option inside or keep it for a while and hope it doesn't get used? I'm worried if he has one inside he'll just keep using it rather than learning the only option is outside.

I know it may be a good idea to have one anyway but we really can't accommodate it in our house cos of the lay out and I have young children.

Thanks

Has he got an area outside for him to go?
our old cat never used her tray even though it was always clean and in a quiet area.We made sure she had a patch of raked over soil . Other cats of course might use it. Your cat might use the neighbouring gardens.

our current pair use their trays. They’ll waltz in, do their biz and waltz out .

have you considered one of those enclosed top door ones? Looks like a mop bucket ! I’m not sure if mine could get on with one of those ( each)

have you cat proofed your garden to make sure this outside spot is your problem, not your neighbors?

if you are going to keep a cat, then you need to clean up your cat’s waste. You need to have a litter tray.

take some responsibility and stop making your fellow cat owners look bad

I'd personally keep one indoors.

I do also think that before deciding to get a cat and this should of been considered if it's such an inconvenience to you. Your cat may decide to be indoors a lot more since the weathers getting cold..

Some cats prefer a litter tray, and many will need one overnight and/or if the weather is bad. He will also need one if he gets ill or injured and when he's older. This is stuff that should be taken into consideration when deciding to have a cat.

I kept ours until they stopped using it and hadn't used it for months. I wouldn't remove it if they are actively still using it.

Litter trays are part of responsible cat ownership imo. You will spot any healrh issues more easily such as cystitis, which can be potentially fatal if left.
You can also get furniture to put litter trays in, which keeps it hidden and away from children, something like Hol from ikea with a hole cut in one end would work.

IMO if you dont have space for a litter tray you dont have space for a cat...

Ours dont use the litter tray, but its there for them if they want. Its their choice. Yours may prefer to go outside, or they may prefer to continue with the litter tray.

Our cat hated the litter tray, it would stay unused for weeks during summer but reluctantly used it when it was really raining or very cold. If it is snowy or the ground is frozen they won't want to or be able to go outdoors. If you have a cat, you have a litter tray. You might want to keep him in for longer than three weeks too or he might not find his way back.

Ours mainly goes outside but I still keep one for when weather is bad. Get one with a lid and a doorway. Ours is tucked away in a corner.

Some cat charities have it as a condition of adoption that a litter tray is always kept available, it's so important. There are lots of times cats may not want to do their business outdoors and not having access to a tray will cause stress and potential urinary health issues.

I hope you are planning to keep your cat in overnight for his safety? If so, he will obviously need a litter tray. We are soon into fireworks season and especially in such a new home he's at risk of being spooked and running into roads or getting lost.

I have a litter tray for the cat in the hall. She rarely uses it, prefers the garden (or neighbours garden) but at least it’s there if she needs it.

A lidded covered one kept in a corner is a good idea.

Please don't get rid of the litter tray - it's not fair. Cats should always have a safe, warm, quiet space to go to the toilet if they need it.

Take half the litter and pour it on the patch of soil you want him to use. But keep the tray. Get a covered one if you dislike the smell or visible poos. We keep our one in the hall and I used to have one in the bathroom too. It doesn't need to be in the way

My cat's tray is in the bathroom. He point blank refused to use one anywhere else!

If your cat uses a tray it's not really fair to get rid of it until you know they prefer to go outside. Besides, what about horrible weather or illness? What are you expecting them to do then?

Three weeks is not enough time to keep a cat in when they've moved to a new home.

Are you sure you really want a cat, it weirdly sounds like you've had yours three weeks but don't really want it in your house.

I retired my litter tray after a solid year of zero usage. My cat prefers to use my back garden, even in snow and torrential rain. But I still have it and can easily put it out again if needed.

You really must let your cat acclimatise gradually to the outside and give him the choice.

Thanks, this has been interesting. I naively did not realise how important it was to have a permanent litter tray. I spoke to around 6/7 friends and family members that had cats and do not have one, so I didn't realise it was the norm. The RSPCA didn't mention it.
The hall is a good idea. I don't live in a tiny house but it's just not got an obvious place for one

I have two cats snd keep a tray inside, but I put it in a cupboard with a cat flap type door in the downstairs loo. They don't use it though. I kept it as I thought they might if wet outside, but they don't seem to mind the rain. But with my other in and out cats I never kept one until one got old and infirm.

It's also important to have one if there are other cats around, as a cats don't like to toilet unless they feel safe. Vets bills for cystitis are very expensive!