Cat Not Going Toilet

[GataCat]

Hey all,

My 4-year-old male Indoor-Outdoor cat has recently been confined to the house after the treatment of an abscess as he is on a course of antibiotics. The only problem is he has never used a litter tray in his life, and its nearly been 48 hours since he has expressed anything (number 1 or 2). I’m getting pretty worried now and I have tried placing some house plants around it to no avail.


Is this a case of him just being nervous/untrained or due to a health issue?

Thanks :-)

 

[blueorchid]

Hello!

Question-Is he straining to go or just ignoring the litterbox? If he is straining or having difficulty going to the bathroom that would be an emergency.
I am guessing he just doesn't know where to go since he's never used a litterbox. My advice would be to make the litterbox similar to where he goes outside Add some dirt from outside or potting soil and he may identify it as a place to go potty. Dr. Elsey's
also makes a Cat Attract litter or you can just buy the additive and add it to your litterbox- here's what I'm talking about Cat Attract™ Litter Additive - Dr. Elsey's.

Hope this helps!

 

[maggiedemi]

If he hasn't urinated at all in two days, this is an emergency, I would take him to the vet in the morning. Have you tried placing him in the litter box?

 

[GataCat]

Yeah i've tried placing him in the litterbox and adding soil, hes pretty much ignoring it otherwise aha. I will try the attract litter though!, funny thing is he is acting normal besides the toilet issue and i've gently pressed his tummy and he doesnt seem in pain.
I will take him to the vets as a precaution though, fingers crossed its nothing serious

 

[talkingpeanut]

I would check the room and make sure he's not going somewhere other than the litter box. My guess is the cat is fine, but your floor may not be.

 

[blueyedgirl5946]

Have you tried confining him to a smaller area with the litter box?

 

[GataCat]

Went with everyone's suggestions and added some cover for him (quite the art installation) he's slightly more interested but still not a fan . Currently confined him to this little room for a while. Let's pray.

 

[maggiedemi]

Is that non-clumping litter? Sometimes it can be hard to tell with that type of litter if they went pee, since there aren't any clumps. If he hasn't urinated in 2 or 3 days it really is an emergency with cats, their bladder could burst. Did you check the carpets/floors/furniture to see if there are any wet spots?

 

[GataCat]

Update: Took him to the vet and he got a catheter and enema to relieve himself. they didn't see any blockages and everything came back clear so the situation was purely psychological. Hopefully the removal of his collar and different litter will help him go from now on. Thanks for your help everyone

 

[talkingpeanut]

Was his bladder very full? Is it possible the cat was relieving himself elsewhere in your home?

 

[maggiedemi]

I'm so glad you took him to the vet! Let us know how it goes now that the collar is off.