I’ve had cats for many years. One of our cats was able to have the best of both lives. We live on a farm, so he could enjoy the outside during the day & catch mice if he wanted to. Fortunately he stayed close to home. He’d come when I’d call so he would be safer inside @ night & we could play w/ him more too. While inside it was necessary to provide him w/ plenty of food & water, plus we had a litter box for him. I cleaned it everyday, plus had it in a place our so dogs couldn’t get near it. I imagine you know why too!
I had another cat one time that would “go” in weird places if I didn’t keep his litter box clean enough.
If you go on a vacation cats can be wonderful compared to dogs, because most of them can stay without having to be tended to every day. Everything they need or do is inside. Some cats don’t mind a dirty litter box & will keep using it, but if you have a finicky cat you’ll need to have someone come over & tend to him if you’re leaving the house for a few days.
I found a perfect litter box for me plus my cat. It’s a perfect size & every time my cat goes inside to do his “duty” & then walks out…the unit cleans that area & rakes anything the cat did into another tray. This tray holds quite a lot & you can go a few days before pulling it out & dumping it. You’ll just need to add more litter when needed. This new litter box is called Litter-Robot 3, & I love it. It didn’t take very long for my cat to use it. I put it where his litter box used to be. He checked it out, found kitty litter in it, & decided to use it. It’s very nice not having to rake his litter-box every day.
I’m now spoiled & my cat’s happy.