Adult previously outdoor cat - litter tray.....

GotToChange

I guess this is almost self-explanatory - but I need any advice I can get please (I hope that patience and rubber gloves isn't the best I can wish for....)
My cat has hardly ever been indoors -his choice - bit of a ruffian and very hardy. He is now getting on a bit and even though he seemed happy and OK this winter, not only am I feeling very guilty, he had a bit of misery last Friday and ended up having antibiotic injection and painkiller and the best way to manage - and hand-feed and water him - was to have him indoors. He took to it very well, sleeping nearly all day and night in a box with towels. No accidents, although I purchased a litter tray etc etc. all set up for him.
Which he has now ignored. And pooped in the corner of the lounge where he once did it over ten years ago... (My fault for leaving the door open but we had had two nights without incident.)
The tray is close by in his half of the large kitchen and I know that he knows how to use one (neighbours told me) - so I don't know what to do.
I have now "encouraged" him back outside - and he is showing no signs of his ailment and seems fully recovered. Nevertheless, I felt better having him under my watch as the neighbours - who previously encouraged and welcomed him - are shoo-ing him away I think and I would rather I knew what was happening. It's the thought of the pooping that's bothering me.
Help.

Itsgottabedone

Having been an outdoor chap all his life, I doubt that your cat will easily adapt to being an indoor one now he's recovered from the recent treatment, but you never know!

My 12-year old cats have always been free to come in and out ad lib but during recent heavy snowfalls I had to put the litter tray out for them as snow was very deep! I put the litter tray in a different room from their food (it's also a "private" location where they can't be seen performing) then to trigger their memories of what it was for, lifted each into the tray and did a "covering up the evidence" movement with their front paws. Having said that they both spent at least 24hrs with their legs crossed till they decided to use the tray, but it did work! Not sure what to do about the rogue pooing in your lounge - just keep the door closed or your eyes open and express disapproval in case of naughtiness, I guess!

Hope all goes well.

ERICS_MUM

Is the litter tray too near to his feeding bowls ? This would put him off using it (as it would for us !!! :eek:). Also there is some "stuff" that completely eradicates the smell of cat poo and pee from carpets and furnishings so that he won't be drawn back to the same spot when he needs to go.

Is he a shy boy ? You can get covered litter trays (like a little wendy house !) so he can do his business in private.

Bless him, I do hope you can sort him out, cats do like to keep themselves clean.


Linda xx

spookylukey

You could try putting soil in the litter tray as that will be what he is used to if he's been going outside all his life.

925dancer

Putting soil in to transitiion him is a good tip. Also, if you put any poops/wring out a kitchen towel with his wee, into the tray that will also encourage him as it will smell of his toilet. Keep it well away from food and water.

If he's still struggling, if you can borrow/get a large dog crate and pop him in overnight eith his litter tray and a bed, he should soon get the hang of it.

sazzybum

One of mine disappeared for 10 months, and came back-he'd been living like a feral cat for all that time. Now he won't pee or poo outdoors at all!

At first when he came home, he did it behind the TV-where he went where he was a kitten, and what I did was put some white vinegar down wherever he went..and if I saw him starting to scrape, I'd swiftly pick him up and plop him in the tray. The vinegar seemed to work though, as none of mine now go to their previous 'favourite' spot.

Hope your rogue is ok now

925dancer

Forgot to say, clean any areas he's inappropriately toilet with biological washing powder/liquid, the enzymes break down the resdual scents drawing cats back and then give it a last go with white spirits, I guess the vinegar had a similar effect!

lostinrates

We've had a feral in the house all winter and it was a nightmare! But, soil in the litter tray is a good idea...as well as letting the litter have a widdle and a poop in it for a while so he gets that that is the ''loo'' place.

Also, the dreaded pets at home do a kitten litter with ''herbal attractant''. After a few weeks of the mishaps I was more than willing to try it. I think it helped....a little. worth a try in any case.:)