Cat hasn't used the litterbox

I found a cat wandering on a rural road yesterday (post in new cats). He looked hot and tired.

He's had a little wet food, and some dry food. He hasn't drank water around me, but i think the water level in the bowl went down.

He has been in my bathroom almost exclusively. I have had a small litterbox in there the whole time, and today I thought maybe he wanted something bigger, so I put some litter in a larger rubbermaid too.

He has not used either. Litter is dry. And nothing in the bathroom has been peed on.

My thoughts were, maybe he was dehydrated and his body is using all the water he takes in at this point?

That might be the case, but this is actually very normal when a cat is put in a strange environment. He should start using the box more normally in a day or so when he's gotten more used to his new home. Just continue to give him food and fresh water. Make sure he's eating and if you can somehow measure the water level to be sure he's drinking that would help. Or, you can a teaspoon or two to his wet food just to make sure he's getting some water.

Do you know how to test for dehydration? Grab the scruff on the back of the neck, gently and pull up a bit. If it stays up, then the kitty is dehydrated. If it goes back down, then he's getting enough to drink. If you have a bathtub in your bathroom, you might want to leave the water running in the tub at a very slow run.

How is he adjusting otherwise? Are you going in and sitting on the floor with him, talking to him, and inviting him to play?

Can you be sure he didn't pee in the sink or the bathtub? Or anywhere else, since you say he has been in your bathroom almost exclusively. Have you looked wherever else he was besides the bathroom? If you can and you think he might be dehydrated, please don't offer any dry food. Instead offer all the wet food he can eat.

I would check with a vet (or emergency vet) to make sure he doesn't need to be seen immediately for this.

I remember reading that under stress cats are capable of "holding" it, refusing to urinate that is. I hope that's not what he's doing. If he is, he's putting himself in great danger.

If at all possible, please, call a vet for advice to find out what you should do.

Nevermind. I left for a couple hours after posting this and when I came back, he'd used both boxes.

I was waiting for him to use the box before giving him more freedom, just to make sure he knew what it was for. He's been out a couple times for a few minutes.

He's out now, mingling with my extremely jealous dogs, and trying ot get in my lap every second. He's very affectionate.

Anyway, sorry for the false alarm. I have never seen a cat hold it for so long.

Originally Posted by badkelpie

Nevermind. I left for a couple hours after posting this and when I came back, he'd used both boxes.

I was waiting for him to use the box before giving him more freedom, just to make sure he knew what it was for. He's been out a couple times for a few minutes.

He's out now, mingling with my extremely jealous dogs, and trying ot get in my lap every second. He's very affectionate.

Anyway, sorry for the false alarm. I have never seen a cat hold it for so long.

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I'm glad everything turned out okay!

Me too. I'm so glad kitty is okay. This is great!

Hooray!! Only fellow cat lovers can appreciate the relief of knowing your cat has used the box.