Litter boxes are so stinky. Can I let my kittens outside to go to the bathroom? One of them loves it outside and I am afraid he would become an outdoor cat if I let him out. Is it possible to let them out only for going to the bathroom, but keep them inside all the rest of the time? Does anyone have suggestions?
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Let kittens outside?
- Thread starter galt
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Galt...the only way I would recommend allowing a kitten outdoors is if it has received all of it's shots and is spayed/neutered. If possible....I would build an outdoor enclosure so the kitten could enjoy the great outdoors but could not get too far or accidentally get lost. You can find information on outdoor enclosures here:
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q...t+enclosure%22
I lost a cat when I let it outdoors...so my suggestion is to keep your cat indoors and try to find a way to address the food/litter issue.
Katie
How often do you change your litter for it to smell?. I have two boxes and scoup out twice a day and they don't smell.
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- #4
One will get spayed tomorrow and the other is too young, and they have their shots, so that isn't a concern. That is a good idea to have an enclosure for them. Sorry about the cat that you lost!
Does anyone else keep an indoor cat but let it outside for the bathroom?
Does anyone else keep an indoor cat but let it outside for the bathroom?
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It doesn't work like that. Cats aren't dogs. Even the cats that go outside would use an inside litter box.
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I'm of the opinion that if you adopt a cat as a pet, then you have vowed to protect it from danger to the best of your ability. There are many dangers that can befall cats outside, not just diseases. They can get killed by cars, other animals, or other people. If you want your cats to enjoy the outside, then build the enclosure, but I do not believe (and I apologize to those who let do let their cats outside who may disagree with me) that cats belong outside otherwise unless on a leash. Anyway, even if you did let your cats out, that does not let you off the hook from having a litter box. If they are indoors overnight and you are asleep they will need to use it then. If they are indoors and you are not at home they will need to use it then. They will not just hold it until you let them out. If there's no box and they are stuck inside they will find their own place to go to the bathroom. If you build the enclosure, you may have to scoop and clean your box less frequently but you will still need it.
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My husband had a cat that would go outside. He was a stray, but neutered when he found him. He said Frank would meow at the door and he'd let him out. Then a few minutes later, he'd come and meow to come back in. But he never once made a mess in the house, and never used the litter box. He didn't train him to do that though, that's just how Frank was.
The only way I'd let my cats out is if I had a good enclosure for them. Right now Gizmo does go out sometimes, but she just goes out on the back steps, which are surrounded by my dogs' outdoor run. She usually comes out to sit in the sun for a few minutes while I clean up the dog poo. She goes a whole 6 inches outside the door. I don't like it though, if she got scared she could easily scale the fence. I let her sit there for a minute or so, and make her go back inside. There's loose dogs, fast cars, and neighbors that hate cats around here, it's too dangerous.
Amber
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- #8
Yes, that's how my Mom's cat was, that's what gave me the idea. But it sounds like it just depends on the nature of the cat, whether it can be let in and out. If I let Riley out I'm afraid he'd become an outdoor cat. So I guess we'll just have to keep scooping litter.
You could also try another kind of litter for the smell. I am not sure what you use now. I use Wood Stove pellets..and it just smells like saw dust.Originally Posted by Galt
Yes, that's how my Mom's cat was, that's what gave me the idea. But it sounds like it just depends on the nature of the cat, whether it can be let in and out. If I let Riley out I'm afraid he'd become an outdoor cat. So I guess we'll just have to keep scooping litter.The things we do for our cats... heh heh, neh, I'm kidding, they are more than worth it.
I would never allow my cat or my foster Sphynxes to do their biz outside. My YY does go outside but on a leash. I know ferals have to attend to their toilette (so tp speak) outdoors but they have no choice. And some ppl have outdoor kitties and still have litter boxes. Kittens especially need to be indoors as much as possible 'tll they are accustomed to their surroundings - even after vaccinations, their immunity takers effect only after several weeks post vax. And there are so many dangers outdoors - poisons, fungi and bacteria in the ground which curious kittens might taste or even ingest without knowing about it. Even when my YY goes outdoors, I wipe pff her little paws to make sure she's OK (I know, I am protective but I realize there are so many dangers outside - even for as kitten on a leash.) Kittens are still testing their boundries - at the age yours are at, they are like teenagers.
If it just the smell, my recommendation is to find a solution for that. Clean the litter boxes often - I clean the ones we have every 2-3 days and if I am home, scoop as soon as the kitten has done her thing. I know that is not always possible or realistic of course and I am not fond of the smeel (who is?) but generally, the measures I follow ensure there is little smell. YY's main box is in "her" bathroom and I wash in there with products that smell nice and often, one would be hard pressed to know there is a litter box there.
I also follow the rule of thumb to have one litter box per cat plus one. Have you tried the various products that eliminate the smell - they never get it all but air fresheners help, open windows in this wonderful sunny time of the year. Some ppl use litter made for multiple cats even when they have only one kitty - you might try that.
Good luck but please be cautious with your kitten outside. It is not safe for rambunctious teens who are testing themselves AND you!
If it just the smell, my recommendation is to find a solution for that. Clean the litter boxes often - I clean the ones we have every 2-3 days and if I am home, scoop as soon as the kitten has done her thing. I know that is not always possible or realistic of course and I am not fond of the smeel (who is?) but generally, the measures I follow ensure there is little smell. YY's main box is in "her" bathroom and I wash in there with products that smell nice and often, one would be hard pressed to know there is a litter box there.
I also follow the rule of thumb to have one litter box per cat plus one. Have you tried the various products that eliminate the smell - they never get it all but air fresheners help, open windows in this wonderful sunny time of the year. Some ppl use litter made for multiple cats even when they have only one kitty - you might try that.
Good luck but please be cautious with your kitten outside. It is not safe for rambunctious teens who are testing themselves AND you!
I think there are way too many risks with letting cats outside. Where are your litterboxes located? Are they covered or uncovered? I have one in the bathroom and a covered one in the dining area (I never dine there). For a while, I used flushable litter in the bathroom box and scooped it everytime I happened to be in there using the toilet. Now, I've switched back to regular clumping litter. I use the empty buckets that the litter came in to store the used litter. The lid helps seal in the smell. Again, I scoop the box most of the time when I'm in the bathroom, so that helps keep it less odiferous.
One advantage of allowing cats to use an indoor litter tray is that you can pick up on any problems such as blood or diarrhea a lot quicker than if they are going outside. And like people have said, even if they go outside, they still need a tray in case you are out all day, and for nighttime. Plus if they are ill.
My three all go outside, but I have 5 indoor litter boxes that they use during the night or if they are indoors. I never let them stay out at night and introduced them gradually to the outdoors once they are 6 months old. But I think it would be difficult to train to go out only when they need a toilet. Litter boxes should no smell if you have enough of them (at least one for each cat though they all use all of htem) and claen them outproperly. AS well as Catsan litter I use a litter deodorant and I have no smell.
Maybe you can try changing the food, if their poops smell that bad. My kitties poops smelled, well, like poops, but then I switched them to what they're eating now and I swear to God, there's no smell at all. The only thing I can smell is the kitty litter. Funky stuff
I used to have an outdoor/indoor cat for almost 7 years, until some kids were seen grabbing her and driving off. Once you let a cat out on its own, it can very easily become and outdoor lover and not want to come back in, just like mine, especially if it thinks you won't let it out again. Kittens are too small to let out, too many dangers for them. And you can't be there contantly to let them out when they need to go to the bathroom, just like small children, they cannot hold it for very long, and if you're not home even for a short time and those kittens need to go, they will, on the carpet, in a plant pot, whereever they can. I had a stink problem too with my cat. I have 2 bathrooms in my apt, and neither of them have a window, so there is no ventillation. My cat also doesn't always cover his poop, (a territorial thing the vet said) So I changed my litter to a multi cat litter, a covered litter box, and I scoop 2 times per day, usually right after he pooped, his pee doesn't cause any odor. Another option would be to change the food, but only if it is really bad. You don't want to mess too much with their diet since it can cause more digestive problems, but I am sure your vet can also advise on what food to use.
What food are you using?Originally Posted by Aussie_Dog
Maybe you can try changing the food, if their poops smell that bad. My kitties poops smelled, well, like poops, but then I switched them to what they're eating now and I swear to God, there's no smell at all. The only thing I can smell is the kitty litter. Funky stuff
California Natural. I tried switching to Innova to see what would happen, and the poops stunk again. So now they're back on California Natural.
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