Changes

==Outdoor Latrines==

==Outdoor Latrines==

The provision of outdoor latrines has a number of benefits:

The provision of outdoor latrines has a number of benefits:

Reduces the need for indoor litter trays (especially in multicast households

* Reduces the need for a large number of indoor litter trays (especially in multicast households

Provides latrine access close to home, which reduces the need to roam and reduces nuisance to neighbours (the most common complaint by non-cat owning neighbours is that cats defecate in their garden).

* Provides latrine access close to home, which reduces the need to roam and reduces nuisance to neighbours (the most common complaint by non-cat owning neighbours is that cats defecate in their garden).

Strengthens territorial ownership so that non-resident cats are less likely to become a threat.

* Strengthens territorial ownership so that non-resident cats are less likely to become a threat.

[[Feline Housesoiling|House-soiling problems]] tend to be worse in the winter, probably because the cat’s natural/incidental outdoor toilets start to become difficult to use. Hard, frozen ground is difficult to dig and water logged soil is messy and unpleasant for the cat. Cats are evolved from desert living ancestors so they naturally prefer to dig dry, light and sandy soil. Sand latrines do not get wet or frozen and they give the cat an easily accessible toilet close to the house. This stops the cat from needing to travel away from the garden, and reduces the nuisance to neighbours.

Creating an outdoor latrine:

 

* Choose a location at the edge of the garden, obscured by flowerbeds and bushes.

* The hole should be the dimensions of a litter tray, and 30-60cm deep

 

* This is filled with soft playground sand (not sharp sand used for construction)

If the cat is provided with an outdoor toilet close to the house, it will reduce its need to have an indoor litter tray and can help to reduce the number of indoor litter trays needed if there are several cats living in the same house. Outdoor toilets are easy to make and maintain and the cat can use them all year round. These outdoor toilets should be hidden in flowerbeds behind shrubs and tall plants to give the cat privacy. These latrines are essentially self-cleaning but it is sensible to regularly use a litter scoop to remove faeces in the same way as with a conventional litter tray. The sandy part of the latrine should be dug out and replaced every six months. One outdoor latrine is unlikely to be enough, and different cats will have different preferences for location. At least two latrines should be provided.

* Once the cat is using the latrine regularly, earth can be scattered over the latrine to disguise it.

 

Simple outdoor toilet:

* Find a suitable location for the latrine, preferably at the edge of the garden, obscured by flowerbeds and bushes to give the cat some privacy.

* Dig a hole that is approximately 90 cm deep, and 90cm square.

* Fill the bottom 60cm of the hole with pea-sized gravel, to create drainage.

* Top up the hole with soft, white sand like that used in playgrounds. Don’t use the orange sand used for building (also known as sharp sand).

* Once the cat is using the latrine regularly, you can scatter a little earth over the top to help disguise it.

* Dig out and replace the sand every few months to refresh the latrine.

==Deterrent Methods for Inappropriate Latrine Locations==

==Deterrent Methods for Inappropriate Latrine Locations==