For years my sister has had 2 rescue cats from the RSPCA who she has long since lost interest in and they are mainly living outdoors with access to her garage via a lockable cat flap. She told me yestarday that she "lost it" with the one and rubbed her face in her mess because the cat has started to poo regularly in the daytime in the garage. When I asked more in an attempt to help the poor cat she told me that at night she keeps both cats in the garage with the cat flap locked and with access to a litter tray (she keeps them in as she is worried about them getting run over and fighting with other cats). In the daytime she unlocks the cat flap and covers the litter tray.
As a dog rather than cat person was I correct in telling her that the cat is getting mixed messages about where to do her business? Is it possible to only use a litter tray for part of the day and expect the poor cat to know where to relieve herself depending on the time of day My sister is certainly not an animal lover but I would like to help for the sake of the poor old cat

The cats still belong to the RSPCA. They could take them back if they knew what was going on?

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Red Burmese - Django 18
Oriental black - Sabella 4
Oriental Tabby - Bambi 2
Oriental chocolate silver shaded - Inca (kitten)

Forever missed - please come home
Oriental Tabby - Serafina 2

Over the bridge
Bengal - Elmo
Siamese Sealpoint - Kookai
Longhair Tabby and White - Nigel

http://www.catsofavalon.com

Thanks for that helpful advice but as my sister has owned both of them for around 14 years I can't see me suggesting that to her. Besides which many cats are kept quite happily as feral cats on farms with access to food water and shelter with the blessing of many rescue groups. She provides food, water, shelter, worming medication, flea prevention and any medical treatments as necessary but they are not kept as house cats. They are shown affection and are friendly enough but are just not allowed in her house (unlike me she is VERY house proud).Other than the problems she has only recently been experiencing with one of the cats I would say they have a fair existance compared with many animals. Any suggestions other than rehoming?

So these poor cats are living in the garage or outdoors?
You are quite right - the cat doesn't understand what time of day it is. It knows that the garage is where it goes to the toilet and if it can't find its litter tray it will go anywhere. Rubbing the poor things nose in it will only make it more scared and confused.
Please tell your sister that she needs to leave the litter tray accessible for them both at all times. Something outside may have frightened the one that has been toileting in the garage, making it want the security of the litter tray in there.

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How we behave toward cats here below determines our status in heaven. - Robert A. Heinlein
http://www.lambchopsiamese.webs.com

I think that if it is just this single issue, you have every chance of taking it up successfully with your sister. Try giving her book on litter training cats. I know that you are aware that rubbing their face in faeces is as offensive to them as it would be to her and it is also counterproductive, but how to tell her is something between sisters!
Best of luck.

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Red Burmese - Django 18
Oriental black - Sabella 4
Oriental Tabby - Bambi 2
Oriental chocolate silver shaded - Inca (kitten)

Forever missed - please come home
Oriental Tabby - Serafina 2

Over the bridge
Bengal - Elmo
Siamese Sealpoint - Kookai
Longhair Tabby and White - Nigel

http://www.catsofavalon.com

Quite right in fact she herself told me that the action she took had not worked and the poor cat had made a mess since She bought the cats years ago when her children were younger and at home but the children have now left home and as she is not short of money her home has become her "baby" - totally spotless with no room for cats TBH I think she will be glad when they die.
I told her to go back to square one with the litter training and to either have the tray there all the time or not at all. She probably won't tell me if she is physical towards the cat again as she knows I am an animal lover but if I hear of it I will tell her to ask for advice from the RSPCA A few months ago I noticed that the same cat was REALLY painfully thin and I told her it looked like she had worms. She assured me that she regularly wormed them with an application to the back of the neck which also prevents fleas? I said I was surprised that something placed on the neck could treat worms. She ignored my advice and several weeks later the cat began vomitting and passing worms. She took it to the vet and was given some "proper" worming tablets. Amazed that they are allowed to sell such ineffective things over the counter that in this case lead to months of suffering for this poor cat

Sorry if I missed it but how many litter trays are there?

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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

I will try to be polite but your posts have made me really angry. NOT at you might I add but at the callous behaviour of your sister.

These cats are getting older and are now at an age where they want a quiet life and some creature comforts. Instead they get booted out of the home they have lived in for years because they might shed some hair on the carpet!!!!

I'm afraid your sister needs a boot in the bottom. If she really doesn't want the cats and is probably looking forward to the day they die (btw, that could easily be another 10 yrs!!!!) then she would be better to return them to the RSPCA where they stand a chance of being homed to someone who will actually give a damn about them.

Providing basic food and medical needs is simply not enough. How would she feel if her own kids do this to her when she is older.

I do not wish to be offensive about your sister but my concern here is about the cats and I really don't give a monkeys about humans who treat animals in this manner.

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Totally agree with you but she has always been as hard as nails and what hasn't helped is her marrying a man from a totally different cultural background who sees animals as dirty and unclean. The worms and messing in the garage has probably reinforced his opinion on animals. I would imagine he was instrumental in getting the cats banished from the house as I know that he will not even touch my dogs and they visit my home infrequently as my sister said some years ago they don't want dog hair in their food and all dogs should be kept on leads and muzzled and other such gems! Would you report your own sister to the RSPCA anonymously? It is a thought but I am sure they would say that as basic living requirements are being met there is nothing they will do

Just one for 2 cats. Will getting an extra one help?