Conference misery::feline_v1

    Louisa, I have two indoor/outdoor cats and they use both use the
    litter box as well as the outdoors.  I'm not sure what you are upset
    about.  It sounds as though you don't want to keep a litter box
    in the house anymore and would rather train Carmel to do her business
    outside with Chammie.  Did I misunderstand?
    
    Some cats just prefer to use the litterbox rather than "go" outside.
    Is it a problem to keep a box in the house for them to use?  Has
    Carmel always used the outdoors as her bathroom and just now decided
    to use the new house instead?  I think I'm confusing myself now!!
    
    Please supply more information.
    
    Thanks,
    Roberta
    

    Louisa,
    
    Carmel is probably used to doing his business in a certain type
    of material - cat litter - and there isn't alot of that outside.
    He probably things that's the appropriate place.   People who try
    to convert outdoor cats to indoor cats have a similar problem
    sometimes - in the reverse direction.  The cat doesn't understand
    that he's supposed to use this strange and unfamiliar substance.
    
    Cats are VERY much creatures of habit and don't respond well to
    alot of change.  I suggest you continue to provide a cat box and
    consider yourself lucky that Carmel is so set on using it rather
    than other areas of the house.  
    
    If you don't like looking at a box, try getting a covered one.
    
    Good luck.
    
    Nancy DC
    

    I know that my parents cats have always been indoor/outdoor, but they
    will only "go" in the litter box. In fact, I've seen them jump on the
    windows to alert my mother to let them in, make a bee-line for the box
    and then demand to be let out again. 
    
    Deb

	I agree that that bahavior can be annoying.  It used to bug
	me that my cat, Sammy, would run in from the outdoors,
	leave a "steamer" in the box, and head out again!  Aargh!

	At least he wasn't doing it all over the house though.  After
	a while, Sammy lost interest in the box, and prefers to go
	outside.  

	I don't think you'll ever totally get rid of the box -- I
	keep mine just in case one of the cats gets "caught short".
	

	-Nancy

    
    Thanks to all of you!
    
    re.1
    It is true that I do perfer not to have a box.  except incase of
    an emergancy, but if they are outdoor cats, then there is no 
    need for a box..(less work for Mom)  It never botherd me before
    but before I had an indoor cat and it just seems so senceless to me
    since they both can go outside..
    
    I agree with everyone elese, and I never thought if it before,that
    Carmel probelly just likes using the box becasue of the substance.
    
    Well I guess Carmel will win this fight..now the next think I have
    to do is make her leave the xmass tree alone (snicker,snicker)
    
    Thank you all :-)

    My Willy does the same thing.  Holds it all day (in the summer) to do
    it in his litter box.  It's so funny after having a cat that hated to
    use it unless the ground was too frozen to dig a hole.
    
    The covered litter box is a pretty good compromise.  They still stink
    if they don't cover it up though- but it is nicer looking!
    
    Good luck!
    Sonia

    I've said it before and I'll say it again......
    
    Who knows how a cat thinks!!    :-)

    
    	Yep. MOM is just gonna have to purchase some stock
    	in an up and coming cat litter company!  Catnip LOVES
    	to go outside and stalk and hunt and be TOTALLY wild
    	but...when she's gotta go, she requires a nice clean 
    	litter box. I guess that if I was her, I wouldn't like
    	getting my paws all chafed digging in that nasty old 
    	frozen ground no matter how wild a thing I was. Cats
    	are basically very hedonistic creatures (some humans
    	too I'll wager) and personally, I do not deny her these
    	comforts. She is my responsibility and I will SPOIL her
    	absolutely ROTTEN (actually, she is a real good girl)
    	for as long as she is permitted to remain with me.
    	Soo, I guess I gotta vote with the kitty. Love'em
    	while you got'em. 
    					kim
    
    					and THE NIPPER!
    				( ACE mouser and protecter of the house!)
                                  

We tried this successfully with the cat I had as a child.  You may have to wait
until the spring thaw to try this, depending on what part of the country you're
in.  What we did was mix soil in with the litter, gradually increasing the
amount of soil vs. litter until it was all soil. The cat got used to digging in
the dirt to do his business and we had no problems when we got rid of the box.

Paula