I adore our cats BUT..

Artytarty

But I just simply dont understand. If they do not have a litter tray and are forbidden from using your garden what on earth are they supposed to do?
Sorry, I think I am being a bit thick and have missed something crucial here.

madget_2

Artytarty wrote: »

But I just simply dont understand. If they do not have a litter tray and are forbidden from using your garden what on earth are they supposed to do?
Sorry, I think I am being a bit thick and have missed something crucial here.

It's the same for me. I don't understand where you want them to do it.

larmy16

I always found it rather touching when one of my cats went in the bath. It seemed very considerate of them!

It must be great to have one of those cats that use the loo. Sorry OP not much help - my musings. I don't have a cat flap and my cat is indoors at night so he has a tray which he uses but he also goes outside too. I would prefer to have a tray than have him looking for hidey holes to do it.

Do you think your cats could be stressed out being around children? Or do they hide away when the kids are around. That may be having an effect of them. Just some thoughts on the subject.:)

gabyjane

Hi thanks for the replys.

Madget sorry if my previous post seemed a little rude towards some of you..it is aimed at the few rude people who don't seem able to post a polite reply..i do aprreciate your advice.

Ok the poo thing..my point/question was not the fact i am cross at them pooing in the garden as such (although i can see it sounds that way) it was the fact that we have had one cat for about 5 years and the other 1 year and they have NEVER pood in our garden? just wondering why they are doing it now?..

Litter trays are a no no and there is no point suggesting them..i am not going backwards with this..the only way i would do this is if they had an illness and couldnt help it but i dont think that is the case.

As for the cat getting on with the kitten..they get one fine..they have been together for around 9/10 months now and although fought when they first met (which is understandable) they soon got on and get on now..they sleep together squashed in the same basket!..so no i dont think there are any issues with each other..again working from home ide spot something i think.

As for the bark been down a whole day and nothing till this aft then they went mad and started digging it all up everywhere..great! good job it didnt cost too much.

Larmy16..i agree the bath/sink..it's fine in a way better than the carpet which yet they haven't done!..BUT i am wondering why hes suddenly started this?..seems odd after months.
As for the kids..no, i look after 1 child for a couple of hours a day, she is pretty quiet and placid and doesnt really go near them..although a CM i dont have hoards of kids around all the time! nothing else has changed that i can think of.

Again thanks for the replys.

madget_2

Yep, that first meeting between 2 new cats very rarely happens without at least a little hissing, spitting and swiping of paws. But it's really good that they both seem to be getting on together now.

My other possible reason for the altered behaviour would have been what Larmy suggested - the children being around. There is generally some kind of change which sets them off - for instance, my neighbour's cat started spraying everywhere indoors when her boyfriend moved in. Even if it seems to you as though the child doesn't make much noise, even just her presence might be enough to set off a stress reaction. Cats are funny creatures, as I'm sure you know.

Regarding the bark chippings, maybe they just suddenly noticed it? Cats can be weird like that. I still think an outdoor area set aside with something like bark might help to confine their weeing and pooing to a certain area at least.

That's all I can come up with for the moment, but do let us know if you remember anything else that might have spooked them.

larmy16

Gaby it may be that a dominant cat that you have not seen has moved into the area and they are simply nervous to go further than your garden?

My cat never goes further than our tiny back garden luckily. Anyway hope you sort it all out.

Fire_Fox

gabyjane wrote: »

Litter trays are a no no and there is no point suggesting them..i am not going backwards with this..the only way i would do this is if they had an illness and couldnt help it but i dont think that is the case.

Cats do not inappropriately toilet without there being a mental or physical problem.

gabyjane

madget wrote: »

Yep, that first meeting between 2 new cats very rarely happens without at least a little hissing, spitting and swiping of paws. But it's really good that they both seem to be getting on together now.

My other possible reason for the altered behaviour would have been what Larmy suggested - the children being around. There is generally some kind of change which sets them off - for instance, my neighbour's cat started spraying everywhere indoors when her boyfriend moved in. Even if it seems to you as though the child doesn't make much noise, even just her presence might be enough to set off a stress reaction. Cats are funny creatures, as I'm sure you know.

Regarding the bark chippings, maybe they just suddenly noticed it? Cats can be weird like that. I still think an outdoor area set aside with something like bark might help to confine their weeing and pooing to a certain area at least.

That's all I can come up with for the moment, but do let us know if you remember anything else that might have spooked them.

I'm not trying to say no to everything but really the children are nothing new! as i said they dont usually see LO and when they do she strokes them or ignores them,,they are very placid cats and use to them as been minding for 4.5 yrs..we also have a dd so not convinced on the children bit!
The bark can stay then see how they get on..if it confines them great.

gabyjane

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Cats do not inappropriately toilet without there being a mental or problem.

I agree but they are not ill as such..like a weak bladder or tummy upset as they seem to pick and choose where and when. Are yo saying they have both suddenly gone mad in the last week?

gabyjane

Meant to add thinking about it there is 1 cat we have spotted who was in the garden yesterday (nothing new with cats popping through though)..will keep an eye on him but our older one sat on the grass earlier while this one walked by him without flinching..it is one i dont recognise though as dh pointed it out.