How to get an indoor/outdoor cat to go to the bathroom outside?

Hi folks,

With the streak of nice weather we've been having in New England, my cat has been enjoying spending his nights outside. However, even if he spends up to 12 hours outside, he waits until he comes inside to go to the bathroom!

I don't mind cleaning out the litter box at all, I just don't want him holding everything in until he wants to come inside!

Any ideas?

Would you like having to use an outhouse? Aren't they maddening!

My sister has another litterbox outside for her indoor/outdoor cats.

Originally Posted by Larke

Would you like having to use an outhouse? Aren't they maddening!

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Don't start with the indoor-only stuff.

Does your cat not have access to the indoors so that he can come in when he wants to use the tray? If not I'd provide an outside litter box. How do you know hes not going outside?

Hi there my kits are indoor/outdoor, and they are all very different when it comes to "loo" arrangement
Pepsi is the best, she does everything outside
Miss Moofi is a bit more picky, she prefers tinkling outside, but will come in for a poo
Dino, sounds like your kit, he loves mooching around the garden, but holds-on til he can get to his litter-tray
For Dino, I´ve even stayed in the garden with him, to see if it was anything to do with people being around, you know, like he expects to get in the house. But no, that didnt work, he just enjoyed the sunshine with us

Like you I dont mind, but jeeze, make your mind up kits eh !!!

One thing I did think it was, could it be about sharing trays - but it sounds like you just have one kit anyway

I´ll be interested to see if anyone else can offer some clues

Originally Posted by urbantigers

Does your cat not have access to the indoors so that he can come in when he wants to use the tray? If not I'd provide an outside litter box. How do you know hes not going outside?

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Well, I don't know for sure, but one of the first things he typically does when he comes back inside is head straight for the litter box. Funny, since I've made this thread he hasn't done that once

Try sprinkling some used litter outside, to give him an idea of the smell. ANd yes, the idea of an outside litterbox at first is a good one.