Paul, you said you understand WHY he doesn't want to go outside, so you have
answered your own question really. How would you feel if you had to go on
the freezing balcony and expose your privates and do a wee there? The same
reason. Cats love heat, HATE cold, and HATE water, wind and snow. They also
walk around BARE feet, so just imagine how you would feel to step outside
bare feet on the freezing balcony. NOT a very incentive like idea!

Since you are the one who has decided to adopt a cat, you should be the one
to make some amendments as well, not big ones, but small ones that will help
you both be happy. Out of your love for him, I don't see why you couldn't
just bring in the litter tray indoors until the springtime? He is very clear
at telling you he doesn't WANT to do it outside when its cold. He has
adopted enough to your way of life.Can you do this much for him? What is the
big deal? Girlfriend?Guests? Well f#'k them. HE is your baby, and this is
HIS house, so if they don't like it THEY can leave. That is my view, and
people can understand it trust me.I don't complain if my friends human baby
stinks up the house when she poops. So she cant complain when my baby does.
Its the same thing.

But if you are really that kind of a person to force a cat outside on a
freezing cold, at least buy him an enclosed litter tray, or enclose your
balcony, so its not so freezing as to make a cat not want to go there! I
know I would do that much for my cat - instead of thinking about putting him
down!Pls don't do that! If  you don't want him, pls give him to local
shelter.He is NOT a bad cat. He just needs a little bit of understanding.
Putting him down cos YOU will not provide him (for whateva reason!)with a
suitable home, is NOT his fault but would be yours and on your
conscience.Could you really live with it? If you cant provide him with a
suitable home, then pls give him to somebody who can. I am not trying to be
mean to you Paul, I just put my babies first and think everybody should.

I think the obvious solution is to keep a litter box indoors.  There is
bound to be a place where one could be kept, even in the smallest of
apartments.  For example, when I was a student I pulled a dresser far enough
out from a side wall for a litter box to fit.  The cat that I had at that
time had some UTI and diarrhea problems.  So, I asked a friend to build an
enclosure with a sturdy base and sides high enough on 3 sides that my cat
would hit that even if he missed the litter box (and not hit the wall or
carpet.  The front was made just slightly higher than the litter box, and
there were a few inches of space all around so the litter box was not in
"tight" quarters.  I then coated the whole thing several times with
polyurethane (make sure it is safe for cats), which made the box waterproof.
That worked beautifully.

Place the laundry basket in a closet or cover it for awhile because your cat
is already used to getting in it.  It will be easier to break him of the
habit by making the laundry basket inaccessible than to try to keep a
constant lookout.  You could try place some decorative rocks in the potted
plants to discourage using the plants as litter boxes.  It might also be a
good idea to locate some Feliway diffusers in your house or apartment for
awhile.  Feliway is used for behavior modification and can be very useful in
reducing stress. It is available in plug-in diffusers (with refills
available) and as a spray.  The spray is excellent for an occasional use,
such as spraying the carrier about 20 minutes before you take your cat to
the vet, but the plug-in diffuser is better for long-term use because it
releases premeasured doses. Refills can be purchased for the dispenser. One
bottle lasts a little more than a month.  Here is a link to a study done by
The Ohio State University that describes the general process:
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2000/11/001129074611.htm

MaryL
(take out the litter to reply)

Photos of Duffy and Holly:      >'o'<
http://tinyurl.com/8y54 (Introducing Duffy to Holly)
http://tinyurl.com/8y56 (Duffy and Holly "settle in")

my cat will piss on something if his litterbox isn't changed every day,
so it might be a good idea to toss a second one in the house somewhere
like next to a toilet

Where was it before?  How long has it been outside?  Has he ever used it
in this location?

Thanks for the help folks, everything said makes sense.

So.. I'll put covers over everything he "might" be using, and give him
easier acccess to a nice, clean, enclosed crapper... on the balcony.

Thanks again

Easy. Put a litter box inside.

Adam