Do you think after being inside for four years your cats would be comfortable with this? Mine has only been for two but I know he'd have a heart attack if he went outside. I am not even sure he'd go if I left all the doors open!

I guess I wasn't being clear, they will be going outside but still inside a structure that is totally enclosed, like the closet it is now but it is physically outside the house, there will not be too much view of outside. Not going through a maze or anything strange

They are so curious I am sure if there is a hole in the wall, and they found a clean litter box on the other side. They will use it just to claim the fame to be the first one to do so.

I think it's an intriguing idea, and something I've been tempted to do myself. My only questions would be:

- how do you plan to be able to get to the box to clean it?

- are you planning on staying in your home for a good long while? If you're planning on moving within a few years, I personally wouldn't cut through the outer wall and make such a major change that might affect resale value.

- how do you plan to keep bugs from getting into the house through the hole?

I switched to the Breeze cat liter system and there is literally NO smell now. I'm pretty pleased with the product.

I thinks its a great idea. Like one poster mentioned re resale, you want to deep in mind how it may be repaired in future. I have a basement where I keep litter box. There is a door at bottom of stairs so I was afraid it would be clsed and cats won't beable to get to box. I had a small hole put in wall between studs and framed it out nicely. But your will do to outside so thats different. I don't blame you for wanting to do that.

Of course, I plan to have a door that I can open to clean the litter box, it will also be attached and caulked against the house.

As for resale value, I think this can be repaired with sheet rock and stucco patch, I know for the inside I can do a very good job and re-texture you wouldn't even know a hole existed. we are not talking about a huge door opening. Just enough for a petdoor. There is literally a 2x4 width between the outside and inside.

A very smelly closet in the entry foyer (where it is now) is just as bad for resale value I think.

Although, we are staying awhile that's why we invested in the landscaping. Oh did I say invest? That's the wrong word.. At the current housing market we HAVE to stay. :(

if I pursue this idea, Does anyone know how I might get the smell out of the closet so we can use it again, It is dry walled inside, I think if I wipe down all surface with nature's miracle, then disinfect, and with some fresh paint it should be OK. The smell does not escape right now it is sealed pretty good.

poorowner ~

When I did live in Murrieta, California I had two sibling kitties and decided that I was tired of the litter box being in the kitchen/family room area. The way the house was laid out there was no chance of having the box in the very small bathroom. I thought that I would try teaching them to go outside and had success with it.

First I moved the litter box closer to the sliding glass door and left it there for a week. Then I placed the litter box just outside the sliding glass doors where they could see it. Every few hours I would let the cats outside and they started meowing by the door when they needed to go outside.

The next week I moved the box to the farther end of the patio near the yard and then, a week after that, I removed the box all together. I must tell you that it was great not having to deal with having a litter box.

Now that it is years later and we live in the midwest the litter box stays in the basement and the cats (2 different ones than in SoCal) eat down there as well. There was no place on the first floor that I could put the litter box that is wouldn't be in the way.

Good luck with the change and, if you give it time, should work out well.

Robyn

poorowner, I'm really, really intrigued by this idea. If possible, could you report back with your progress on this, if you do end up doing it? I too live in CA, and it's something I'd be interested in doing myself...

My niece did something similar for her cats.Her DH cut a hole in the laundry room wall into the garage and installed a kittie door.He built a box slightly larger than the litter box and put a hinged lid on top for easy access for cleaning with a latch to keep it safely closed.The opening to the littler box sits against the opening in the wall so the cats aren't able to get into the surrounding box but go directly into and out of the litter box from the opening.It works very well for them and the cats adjusted to it quickly.She even painted a mural around the opening that looks like a little house.Really cute. I don't see why the same concept wouldn't work for a box outside.You might want to insulate it to keep out the cold air.

Yes, I am thinking I am going to spend a bit more on the materials and have insulation and real roof tiles. I don't want the rain and wind noises to frighten them from going in there, which would result in an "accident" else where in the house.

Yes, I'm wanting to do the same thing. I bought a Catio, but not big enough for 2 cat boxes. I will add on to Catio, not sure how. Will have cat door put in wall. I was told the cat door can be put back together in resale if need be. Many homeowners have animals and welcome a cat door in wall. So I'm not concerned.

I have had an outdoor litter box for my two cats for a 4 years. Now insects have infested the box & are coming into the house!!! I wish my son wouldn’t have set it up like this. He did the same in his house but moved out in 2 years so never became bug infested. Fumigation and indoor litterbox are the only answer.

I befriended a feral momma kitty and her 6 kittens. They all sleep inside our home and use the cat door installed in our kitchen door that leads outside to a big covered patio where I have 2 large litter boxes and also they have all of outside to go if they want. They all use the litter boxes and the great outdoors! I clean multiple times a day and have had absolutely no problems with just the two boxes but have decided to add a couple more as the kittens are getting big they're 7-8 weeks old now. They will be spayed & neutered next month. Already had momma done. Hope this information helps.