cats outside?

Question

my two cats aged 1yrs and 2 yrs have always been house cats until they recently started urinating in the house outside of the litter boxes.Three days ago I decided to start letting them outside since they are both micro chipped and vaccinated.I am worried about them though as they are both just staying by the back door and miawing all day. Am I being cruel in keeping them out during the day and letting them in only in the evening?

Answer 1

If the cats are so young, the only reason they wouldn't be using their litter box properly is because it is not clean enough. Cats are VERY clean animals and hate to go in a dirty litter box. Make sure you scoop it out at least twice a day and change the litter at least once a week or twice if two cats are using it.
If you keep it clean , that should solve that problem. Also neutering them is essential if they are males.
Cats can go outdoors if and only if the conditions outside are safe. Meaning no nearby roads, no loose wild animals or dogs running around. If you live in a busy area, it's not a good idea to let a domesticated animal like a cat outside at all unless on a leash.

Answer 2

You might try taking them to the vet to see if there's a medical reason for them going outside the box. There may be a UTI involved.

Or, it may be behavioral. Do you clean the boxes every day? How many boxes do you have? (I've seen recommendations that you have a box for each cat, plus one...so with 2 cats that means 3 boxes) Have there been any other changes around the house? Cats can't tell you they're unhappy about something, so they show you, and this is the most common way.

I disagree with the people who say it's okay for cats to be outside. All of our pet cats are domesticated house cats, and as such they should really be kept inside, especially if you live in any sort of populated area. Chipping and vaccinating doesn't protect them from getting hit by cars, or from getting attacked by other animals or people (sad, but true).

Answer 3

Have you taken them to the vet to make sure the reason they are urinating outside the litter box is not due to a medical problem?? Urinary tract or bladder infections can cause a cat to do this. By keeping them outside..you must be prepared that they will live shorter lives..there are many outside dangers that you are exposing them to. A few are: Cat fights resulting in infections and abscess, fleas, attacks by wild animals and dogs, poisons: antifreeze, rat poison, snail and slug poison used in gardens, or poisoning by a person, being hit by a car, etc. etc. You said they are vaccinated..hopefully they are neutered as well! Also, cats are natural hunters, and while them killing some rodents may actually be a good thing, cats are responsible for the deaths of millions of migratory songbirds each year, which is becoming a huge environmental problem. Keep in mind it is also breeding/nesting season right now meaning there are lots of baby birds out and about on the ground right now that your cats can easily catch.

Answer 4

Take them to the vets and get them checked out. Sometimes when cats start urinating outside of the litter box it's their way of saying something is wrong.

It's also possible something happend to freak them out about their litter box - something fell on or near it when they were using it. Try moving the litter box to a new location if you can and see if they makes any difference.

If they're not use to being outdoors, it's probably terrifying for them! Let them back in, install a cat door if you wish but don't lock them outside against their will when they've been indoor cats all their lives. If anything, restrict their access in the home while you're not there by locking them in the kitchen with their food in one corner and litter box in another while you're not there.

Good luck.

Answer 5

My tem month old kitten stays inside for about four hours, then goes outside to hang around the patio for an hour or so. the she's back in. No litter box in the house anymore, and I love that. She doesn't go father than the patio area. So, give them some time. Cats are so naturally curious; they'll see a leaf go by and want to explore. One thing you could do is go out with them for a bit, , so your scent will be familiar to them outside as well as inside.

Answer 6

Please take these cats to the vet and have them checked for a kidney infection. That is a very common problem cats develop and is usually caused by the grade of food. With all the scares in the pet food industry it is worth getting them checked. I could never put an animal out, people need to think of their pets as children not as a disposable commodity. You obviously love these animals or you wouldn't have put them thru getting vaccinated or chipped so get them checked and another thought is to add an extra litter box.

Answer 7

Get and install a pet door. Cats shouldn't be locked outside. The urinating thing is unusual. Are they males? Have they been fixed? Have you changed the type of cat litter you use? Has there been a change in your household? (New roommate, etc.) Whatever you do, definitely keep them in at night.

Answer 8

I have two cats also. They used to be indoor only , then the hair drove me crazy. A couple years ago I put them out. They meowed a lot too at the beginning , now they are scared to come in the house. They will get used to it, and at least they have each other. Make sure they have a nice shaltered area to go to.Our relationship has changed since they are out .

Answer 9

I've always kept my cats outside. Give them time and I think they'll love being outdoors. It's my opinion that cats are more of a natural hunter than dogs and other pets. My cats adore being outside and will only come indoors for brief periods and even then I have to bribe them with food!!

Answer 10

if they stay by the door the entire time they are outside that may mean they would like to be kept inside. becuase i know cats that do like to be outside will wonder around and then if they want to nap they will come back to the porch.