Hiya!!

If i wanted to make Alfie and Charlie outdoor cats, what would i need to do for them training wise?

Whats the best/preferred method to use? Do people just send them out for Toilet time, cause thats more the reason im wanting to train them to go outside.

Any tips?

Jon

x

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cat proof the garden/build a run - or harness train them and take them out that way

they need to learn about the outside, the dangers, the local area/how to get home and so on before they can safely be trusted to go out alone... if there is such a thing as safely allowed out on their own - depends entirely on where you live

if it's just because you want them to toilet outside then I'd catproof the garden or build run - that way you know they are safe from traffic/other animals/people but they can go in the garden without inconvieniencing any avid gardeners/being unpleasent/risky for neighbours with small children and so on - best of both worlds

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I am sorry as I dont see the logic in that. Your cats are obviously going to toilet inside at the moment so why make them go outside to do their jobs. In fact if they have never been outdoor cats why start now when the weather is getting worst. I had two litter sisters that liked going out for short time trips but they always came back into the house to go to toilet and then went out again so this could happen to you.

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Black with white around his private area



Black Tortoiseshell




R.I.P Patch my well behaved boy dog
R.I.P. Abby and Rebel my beautifull litter sister cats

oh forgot to say

extra risky this time of year especially if you have dark cats to let them out anyway - dark so early that roads are triple the danger, cats may not want to go out in the icky weather to 'do their thing' anyway

it's a lot of risks for something that may or may not save a few pounds + 5 mins a day

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Im having to do it because ive just lost my house, and have to move in with my mum, and it would be better if they went outside.

They go outside round our current back garden, but dont leave the garden. Only patrol and eat grass lol

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So what's the problem if they are already going out in the garden? If they aren't going to the toilet when in the garden now then I doubt they will even if they had 'more' freedom.

Why would it be better if they went to toilet outside?

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I started taking Oscar and Wilbur out on a harness first so they were used to being outside. I then secured our garden as much as possible and they are never outside without me being there as I don't want them free roaming. We live by a semi quiet road which makes it worse, as it seems a perfect spot for a cat to snooze under a car or casually stoll across the road - until you get some van driver taking a shortcut at 40mph!

Just a little point to note in respect of your reason for sending them out though. When the Furbies are allowed outside I keep the garden door wedged open so they can come/go as they please. I have noticed recently they both come inside to use the litter tray for a poo. They must prefer that to the garden, which probably makes Duncan quite happy to be honest.

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Hi Jon
Sorry to read that things dont seem to have improved much for you.Do Charlie and Alfie ever do their "needs" outside at the moment or do they come in to use their litter tray?If they dont toilet outside at the moment I would reckon that you could have problems trying to change this now.Cats are not like dogs where you can "toilet train" them,they basically poo/pee when they feel the need.The only outdoor cat I ever had was my semi feral who used a tray in his shed while he was still living outside and when he finally moved in he always came home to use his tray so you may find you are stuck with the litter tray.Is your mum not happy about litter trays,they dont need to smell or be messy if you use a good clumping litter .

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WOW YOUR BRAVE i am trying to get dex to be indoor lol

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She says she wont mind it being there, but i think shes being polite. I might have to start going back using better litter instead of Tesco or Asdas own. Although Asdas Tiger brand hasnt been too bad.

Might have to start back on the Catsan again!

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