Stray Cat Only Wants to Pee Outside

melso32

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Hi. So a few weeks ago a little all black cat showed up on my doorstep. He is an un-neutered male and although he could belong to someone... I'm pretty sure he doesn't. He pretty much hangs around the neighborhood during the day, but I've brought him inside for a couple nights. Every morning when I check on him, the litter box has all the litter kicked out of it and there is no pee/poop to be found. Yesterday, to experiment, I brought him inside in the afternoon... around 1 o'clock and kept him in inside until this morning until 6:30. No poop/pee or otherwise and all the litter was kicked out of the box. He's now roaming around outside. Any ideas as to why he might not be using the box? I'd really like to turn him into an indoor cat as he's super friendly.
 

shadowsrescue

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Thank you for rescuing this sweet boy.  First off, I would take him to the vet to get him neutered as well as a check up and shots.  Once he does pee in the house, you will know it as unneutered male urine is very strong. 

Secondly, he may not know how to use a litter box.  I have used Dr. Elsey's Litter Attract with great success.  Last year when I brought a feral into the house, he had no idea how to use a litter box.  I filled the entire litter box with Litter Attract.  It only took him one day.  It has special herbs in it that attract cats to it.  You also can try mixing a litter box with litter and soil.  He is used to going outside.  I prefer the Litter Attract.  Some people just buy a small container and mix it with their regular litter.  I wanted to be sure it worked so I just used it straight.  After a week or so I started adding a bit of regular litter.  The cat knew what to do and after a month, I was back to my regular litter. 
 

StefanZ

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Also, he apparently has some idea what litter is, as he IS "using it".   So he doesnt minds to be there, he just dont know the proper use.

How high are the walls in the litter container?   My tip is you use a deep container, with walls rather high up.

If the container has a roof and a plastic door - like is common, consider to take off the doors.   Many cats are anxious, afraid, to be closed in there.

Sweet story.   :)

Good luck!
 
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melso32

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Good suggestions! Thanks. I tried a deeper box last night and put soil over top of a little bit of litter. I checked on him this morning @ around 6:30 AM  and still no pee/poop. That was like 18 hours he was inside without using the box. That's dangerous isn't it? He's outside now. Like you don't think this is a case of him just not being able to go? Surely if he had to bad enough he would have just gone on the floor? 
 

ondine

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He may have a urinary tract infection, which would make it painful/difficult for him to go.  Do you know for a fact that he goes outside?  If not, he may need a quick vet check to be sure he's not sick.
 
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melso32

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No, that's the thing...I have no clue where he goes when he's outside. He doesn't seem in any particular pain when he's around, and when i do let him outside, it's not like he runs off like he's been holding it in all night. He'll sit around with me while I pat him and then he'll just casually walk away...
 

StefanZ

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That was like 18 hours he was inside without using the box. That's dangerous isn't it? 
They can hold out quite long if they want.  For example, freshy bought / adopted cats, may hide in a dark corner even two full days, without relieving themselves nor eating.

Especielly if they are shy.
 

oneandahalfcats

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Hi. So a few weeks ago a little all black cat showed up on my doorstep. He is an un-neutered male and although he could belong to someone... I'm pretty sure he doesn't. He pretty much hangs around the neighborhood during the day, but I've brought him inside for a couple nights. Every morning when I check on him, the litter box has all the litter kicked out of it and there is no pee/poop to be found. Yesterday, to experiment, I brought him inside in the afternoon... around 1 o'clock and kept him in inside until this morning until 6:30. No poop/pee or otherwise and all the litter was kicked out of the box. He's now roaming around outside. Any ideas as to why he might not be using the box? I'd really like to turn him into an indoor cat as he's super friendly.
Depending on how long this kitty has been a stray, he might not be used to using a litter box much, and/or may just 'prefer' to go outside. I have two males, and both pee (and occasionally poop) outside sometimes, in addition to using the litterbox. In fact, going outside can be quite a normal and healthy thing. I wouldn't discourage this cat from going outside, but I would make sure that he isn't having a problem with elimination.
 
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melso32

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Sorry for not updating! The little guy is now neutered and living at my house. He has successfully used the box multiple times! Yay! He still meows to get outside quite a bit (and I do let him out but with my supervision) but i would prefer for him to be an indoor only kitty! Thanks everyone for all the advice and support. It's good to know I have somewhere to turn if I have any more kitty problems :)
 

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AWww.. I love a good outcome.

So glad your little boy has a lovely home.
 

kpcatlady

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@melso32

 what did u do that finally worked? We have a male cat that won't use his litter box and it has been months trying. He's sort of our guest cause he doesn't live with us on the strictest terms. He meets us when we come home, has dinner, sleeps on HIS chair (gets quite upset if we sit in his chair), breakfast service is expected at 6 AM cause after that he has to go to work  ;) he will meow louder and louder until the whole neighborhood is convinced we are torturing him, I suspect he goes out to pee/poop. Cause when we leave for work, he will see us off by the car. One day we kept him longer, to see the vet, he completely ignored the litter-box and peed into a pot on the balcony :(. Even on weekends he wants to go out for sometime each morning.
 

shadowsrescue

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@melso32

 what did u do that finally worked? We have a male cat that won't use his litter box and it has been months trying. He's sort of our guest cause he doesn't live with us on the strictest terms. He meets us when we come home, has dinner, sleeps on HIS chair (gets quite upset if we sit in his chair), breakfast service is expected at 6 AM cause after that he has to go to work  ;) he will meow louder and louder until the whole neighborhood is convinced we are torturing him, I suspect he goes out to pee/poop. Cause when we leave for work, he will see us off by the car. One day we kept him longer, to see the vet, he completely ignored the litter-box and peed into a pot on the balcony :(. Even on weekends he wants to go out for sometime each morning.
First off, is he neutered?  Secondly you can try some Dr. Elsey's Litter Attract.  It has some special herbs that attract cats to the litter.  You can buy a small bottle of it and mix it with current litter or buy a large bag and use it straight.  You only need to use it for short time since once the cat starts using the litter box, you can go back to regular litter.  You could also try mixing some soil into the litter box.  He is used to going outside.  Make sure the litter box is large enough.  I use a sterlite plastic container that's around 18" long.  Do not use a covered box.  Keep the box very clean.  He may not know how to use a litter box.  I have found the Litter Attract to work magic on the ferals I have brought inside.
 
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melso32

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He absolutely refused to use his box until took him to get neutered. After that, I kept him confined to just one room ( so he wouldnt run around too much after the surgery) and he just went on his own. No messes as of yet. I guess he just needed to do it on his own terms. lol. I hope you also have some good luck soon as well KPCatLady :)
 
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