I've had my rescue cat for almost 6 weeks (see the thread My New Cat) and I've recently started letting him go outside when I'm around. This morning I noticed him scratching in some bark by the flower beds then, as predicted he was about to, he did a poo and covered it up. I removed it. This evening he was outside again and I happened to go out to see where he was only to see him squatting in the same place- as soon as he realised I'd seen him he ran off without doing anything. Is this now his preferred toilet? He's been 100% with the litter tray until now and to be honest it's less hassle to clean his tray (and the eye wateringly expensive litter that I've just bought an enormous bag of) than it is to go rooting around in the bark to clear it up. Also I don't really want him to start doing it in the neighbours gardens. On the other hand I've heard cats are very fussy about where they go and I'm now worried I have traumatised him by interrupting him. There will be some days when he won't be outside until the evening until I get in from work. Please reassure me that he will still use the litter tray if he needs to whilst he is inside and not make himself ill by 'holding it in'.