Advice pls - cat pooing and weeing on sofa

[cordiality]

Our cats are 9 years old, sisters, they are outdoor cats and have not used litter trays since they were kittens (we got them from the shelter when they were about 6mo and soon stopped using litter trays after that).

We've never had any issue with their toileting until this week, when we found a big poo on a blanket on the sofa (my new heated one! 😨) on Thursday and now a wee on the sofa (again, on a blanket) today.

I don't know which cat it was unfortunately, I have my suspicions, but they're both booked in for standard check ups at the vets on Monday so will of course discuss this with him then and have them checked for any medical issues.

I'm wondering if perhaps something has spooked them outside? Sometimes a strange cat will come into the garden and scare the living crap out of them and they'll run helter skeltering inside, but it's never stopped them going out before. Or maybe they've just had enough of the rain? Wouldn't blame them.

Should I go buy a litter tray and some litter tomorrow morning? Will they know what it is and use it if they need to?! One of them had a tooth op once and we kept her in overnight and gave her a litter tray that the vet lent to us but she didn't go near it. What sort of litter/tray should I buy? They're both quite fat large framed.

Also any advice you might have or other thoughts as to why this has happened would be very much appreciated. I'd hate to think that one of them was feeling sad or worried or unwell. They both seem fine!

Finally, if you know a magic cleaner that will get the stink of cat piss out of sofa cushions, let me know, I'm gonna need it!

Tin foil placed over the area they have used or likely to use, it puts them off. But I’d put a tray down too.

It's probably too cold for them outside ! Have a litter tray inside. Just get a wide open one to start. Stick them both in it to remind them of the feel of it .

All cats should have access to somewhere safe, warm and dry to go to the toilet, whether they use it or not.

Thanks so much for all these thoughts. We now have litter tray set up which has already been used for a wee (by a cat) so definitely the right thing to have done.

Been to the vet this morning who said they’re both looking well and agrees it’s probably because it’s too rainy or that there’s something scary outside.

I don’t think I really realised that they’re not young brave strong girls any more and perhaps would like a bit of a gentler life bless them. I’m on it now. Thanks again x

Our cat has also toileted outside since she was young. No issues until a few weeks ago when she has pooed indoors. No evidence of wee anywhere atm.
we think it’s because it’s been very cold and she’s getting on a bit and just can’t be arsed getting her little feet cold and wet.

I have older sibling cats who love going outdoors but the girl cat prefers to use the litter tray indoors and her brother still prefers to ‘go’ outdoors.

I use one of those trays that has a full cover and a flap to enter/exit. It keeps the mess inside and I use wood pellets for litter.

If you’re a bit eco conscious and have a wood burning stove(!), you can save the spent wood litter and burn it in the stove.

I do this in the winter months. There’s no smell because the stove has the door closed.

My cat started doing this a few months ago and cat wee is so hard to get rid of. I always have throws on my sofas so luckily that soaked some of it up. I used bicarb and vinegar and bio washing liquid several times and finally a carpet cleaner. I hate litter trays, my cat was an inside cat but used to go in the garden. After she kept leaving us presents in the living room I got her a tray and didn't allow her outside the kitchen when we weren't in. She had a nice cushion there and access to the cat flap. She did have constipation though and this was definitely part of it. She was 16 though and was probably too tired to go outside and didn't want to go out in the rain. Sometimes you just have to relent and get a tray it's better than cleaning up cat piss.