Advice needed on new rehomed cat please

[inneed36]

We brought home a lovely boy aged approximately 3 yesterday. Obviously a bit shy but beautiful cat. Trouble is after using the litter tray once, he has done a wee and a poo in the same spot on my kitchen floor. We have shown him the litter box and I think at nights I will take the lid off but this is not practical with a 3 year old who gets into everything. Any advice on how to encourage use? I have been taking him to the tray every few hours. Is it usual for outdoor cats to hold it in until they actually go out? I know he is getting use to his surroundings but am at a loss. Thanks

is it possible to move the tray nearer the spot where he went a wee, as it looks like that is where he has chosen to go, and you say you have a tray with a lid some cats dont like them, if hes been used to going out he probably associates outside with loo break, my cats dont go in the house and dont have litter trays indoors

Thanks, unfortunately the spot is in the middle of a small space! We don't have any history on him, am hoping I won't need the tray eventually and he will just go outside but think we have to keep him in for a couple of weeks

if the space is too small for a tray meybe put some newspaper down there and he might go on that, not ideal but easier to pick up than wee and poo on the floor

Think we will try that tonight, thanks!

I would be careful that the cat doesn't just learn to poo on paper!

Cats tend to go keep going in the same spot, their smell stays even after cleaning, you can get special sprays that claim to eliminate the smell.

It really is very early days for him. A couple of accidents are to be expected.

Does your covered litter tray have a flap on it? We had to remove ours as one of adopted cats couldn't get the hang of it/didn't like it. Once we removed the door (but left the lid on) he was fine.

Hi, seems like removing the lid has worked! He has been lots in the tray now. Thanks to everyone for their advice, much appreciated! He is a brilliant cat!!