How to get outdoor cat to use litter tray?!

[Greeneyegirl]

Our lovely cat went missing for 24 hours ans appeared on the doorstep Wednesday night with a very injured back leg (wounds and strained). He has a big collar to stop him licking it and isnt allowed outside until its healed. When we got back from the vets Wednesday night he weed in the bathroom (i had dashed out for litter for his old tray). When i got back we set up the tray in that spot as he clearly felt comfortable there. Well he hasnt weed since or pooed. He has no interest in using the tray. He seems fine in himself just not interested in using the tray. He intermittently cries at the locked cat flap to go out so i take him to his tray then and put him in there, only for him to hop out. This morning ive covered the litter with soil from the garden in the hope it will make him feel more at home but no luck yet. Is there anything else i can do?

Could you take him out on a cat harness/lead so he can wander and toilet somewhere more comfortable for him, but without the risk of escaping?

All my previous outdoor toileting cats went on litter strike for around 24 or more hours when they were kept in for whatever reasons! I wouldn't worry yet, I bet he uses it overnight.

I had this when I moved. Outdoor cat and I had never had him with a litter tray.

we moved house and got lots of stuff ready in the catio until he was ready to go outback u name it dirt , stones etc.

I put a litter tray down inside as well. Just incase. But didn’t expect him to use it. Woke up the next morning and he had. Was stunned!

Thanks for messages. He finally did a number 2 yesterday eve and a small wee over night. Was still a little concerned and vet recommended a second tray. Hes done a wee in one and poo in the other tonight so hopefully hes off his strike. He was actually a house cat the first year we had him and was perfectly fine using a tray but going back to using one he hasnt been happy. Hes also very bored bless him.