Outdoor cat confined to home for 2 weeks following op. Litter tray advice needed.

[Deux]

Dear cat is confined to home for the next 2 weeks following an operation to remove a lump behind his neck. .

He is usually very active and uses his cat flap to come and go. I have got a litter tray and litter but since coming back from the vet yesterday, he hasn't used the tray. He keeps meowing at the doors and cat flap to get out.

How do I deal with this? Will he use the litter tray eventually?

Also where should I put the litter tray? I've tried it in various places around the house but no joy.

He is sleeping in the spare room right now, should I put the tray on there and it can be his room? Help.

What about litter? I bought Catsan but I'm wondering if I should change it to a more earthy type.

On a happier note, apart from looking like Frankenstein, dear cat seems quite calm and otherwise happy and eating and drinking.

I'm worried there's going to be a cat poonami situation.

Thanks.

[cozietoesie]

Has he used the tray for a pee at all?

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No, I don't think so. He hasn't routinely used a litter tray since he was a kitten and he's now 10.

Stupid question but would I be able to tell just by looking if he's peed? Perhaps I'll go and have a dig?

I did hear him padding in the tray last night but didn't see iyswim.

I realise I'm probably sounding highly strung but my DS is off school ill too and I'm finding it all a bit stressy.

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The vet nurse did say he'd probably hold it in till desperate.

I need some kind of colour change litter as I feel totally stupid.

[cozietoesie]

We use natural clay clumping here so it's pretty easy to tell. Do you recall what he had when he was a kitten? (That paddling around is a good sign I think, though.)

Maybe try a thin layer of Earth from the garden on top of the existing litter just to give him the idea if it turns out he hasn't used it ? (You can then reduce it to zero once he has got the notion.)

[cozietoesie]

PS - you're not stupid! This board isn't called the Litter Tray for nothing.

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Thanks. I've just put the tray up in the spare room with him. I had a rake through it and there is no sign of wee. It' Catsan he used as a kitten and he's used a litter tray at the Cattery and I think the litter there is like pellets.

I have to go out in a while and I may get another tray and a different litter.

[cozietoesie]

Ah. He's used a tray at a cattery? (Sounds like wood pellets.)

You may just be getting a protest then.

[cozietoesie]

'Just'. Hah!

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Yes indeed. It does feel like a battle of wills. It's bringing back memories of potty training the DCs.

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The thing is we all feel so sorry for him with his shaved neck and 5 inch long wound. And he's had loads of fussing. But goodness, he's stressing me out.

[cozietoesie]

Yes - you'll naturally feel mean I guess. (For not letting him out.) Courage, mon brave!

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I did a quick Google and note that cats can hold their wee and poop for extended periods of time. But I'll ring the vets for advice if no joy by teatime.

Frankencat is completely zonked out. As soon as I put the litter tray upstairs, he came down stairs and is crashed out on his favourite rug in the sun.

I've got some wood pellet litter and I'm going to switch it over and put the tray in the upstairs bathroom.

Gosh this is making me worried. St Gertrude is the patron saint of cats so I might try that too.

[Deux]

Good news to report. Frankencat has weed in the litter tray. Thank you St Gertrude.

If it helps anyone else, here's what I did.

When he woke up, I took him upstairs, held his paws and pawed the litter. Then I put him in the tray. He scratched around a bit then came down looking for food. So I fed him, he was meowing to get out so I then took him upstairs again and repeated. He did the biggest wee ever. I stayed and congratulated him. So I guess he likes the wood pellets.

[cozietoesie]

You can relax now then.

[cozietoesie]

PS - I reckon he decided you were serious about it as well and yelling a good deal wasn't going to work.