Going potty outside

Question
My kittens are almost a year old...and they've been using the litter box since they were born.  However, they both LOVE to go outside now.  I believe they should be allowed to go outside, as I am not used to an inside only cat...my cat growing up was an outside cat most of her life and even when she came in near the end, she still went potty outside.

If my cats are going to go outside anyway, it seems they should go potty outside now.  I am not used to the litter box because I didn't grow up with one in the house with our cat, and am ready to get it out of my house!!  Is there any way to teach them to go potty outside?

Answer
Betty,

All cats are not the same and the cats you have now may not behave the same way as far as going potty outside as your other cat did.

Some cats that are used to the litterbox inside will not go outside. I have a couple that will 'cross their legs' if they are outside and wait until they can come in and use the litterbox! Cats can also become scared if another cat attacks them when they are going outside and will refuse to go outside any more causing accidents in the house.

What about at night? That is the most dangerous time for a cat to be outside. You shouldn't force a cat to go potty outside at night.

A litterbox is part of having a cat. But it's up to you. If you want to train them to go outside if there's somewhere dry  where you can put the tray and it's near the area you want them to go cats will often use the tray outside. The next step is to remove the tray after a few days and then the cat will find some place to go outside.

I hope this helps answer your question.

Tabbi