New Cat Not Peeing or Pooping

[Puddle Foot Farm]

Yesterday, my roommate found a ridiculously nice stray cat. It followed her to our room, and we brought it inside because it's very cold here at night. He was absolutely thrilled, and without a way to get cat food, we got him unseasoned turkey to eat. He was in love with it, and has been eating it since. He has eaten a lot, and has been drinking regularly.

However, we haven't seen him pee or poop at all. We made him a box with newspaper inside it, but he is uninterested. I've checked around pretty well, and I haven't seen/smelled any evidence of anything. We think that he was probably a house cat that got lost or something, but he has a matted tail and no collar. He sleeps a lot, but isn't feeble at all and follows us around.

Should we be worried? It's only been a day.. I might just be overreacting. Do you think it's possible that he won't go inside because he used to be a house cat and has no litter box?

Oh, and I've had cats all my life and my mom owns a pet food store; I know that turkey isn't the best thing for him, but we are getting real cat food ASAP.

Thanks in advance for the help, guys.

 

[maplesky7]

my cats never liked newspaper...they always liked the litter.

But if it's been a full day and he hasn't gone and sleeps alot? If you squeeze on the abdomen between the legs is where their bladder is and I became a pro at figuring out if my cats who had the urinary syndrome was full and having problems or not.
But I would check to see if the cats bladder feels full and also if the cat acts to be irritated or in pain by this or not.

If the cat does not like pressure on it's belly it could have some issues and should see the vet right away...could have worms...could have the urinary syndrome...could be a number of things...

If you take it to the pound and say you found a stray but want to keep it...around here they have days they give discounted vet care...shots/spay/neuter...

 

[silkiechicken]

It probably wants to go potty in something sandy where it can bury the wastes. It's probably scoffing at the paper and targeting your house plant. . I know I have a few ferals who can't wait for me to put fresh dirt into planters.

 

[DianeB]

How old is the kitten? Some very young kittens actually have to be wiped with a wet rag to stimulate their bowels. (Mother cats usually lick this area until they are 4-5 week old.) I found 3 week old ferral kittens once that didn't poop for a week. They ended up being fine. We still have one. He will be 6 years old next month.

It may have been a longtime since the kitten has eaten and drank. Give him a few days. He may pee soon. A bit longer to poop.

 

[Puddle Foot Farm]

He's not a kitten, he's fully grown.

Hopefully he'll come around.. He doesn't act weird. No sensitivity if we push on his abdomen. I wouldn't say he sleeps a lot for a cat. He's very mellow and affectionate.

I'm trying to figure out his age.. But I'm very bad at it, apparently.

How long until I should be really worried?

 

[Hoosiermomma]

I'd give it til tomorrow. I would definately go with the litter versus newspaper. Cats like something they can move around and newspaper isn't high on their priority list. I would also get some wormer and give it to him. That will definately get everything moving in the right direction...

You could try putting some acv in the water to help with any urinary issues. Did he eat the cat food okay?

 

[DianeB]

I would say about a 3-5 days for pooping. (New diets can disrupt their digestive systems) Or if he has bloody/oily discharge or pain in his abdomen or weak/lethargic/acting ill. If he shows these signs, take him in immediately. Call a vet to make sure. They may want to examine him. He should start peeing in about a day.

Occasionally, our cats have stopped pooing for a few days if something has disrupted their schedule. Is does coinside with eating less. Not sure how this relates to your case.

You should start checking around the house. Even if you think he isn't, he probably is finding a corner to pee. Try to confine him to one room with a litterbox and no other attractive areas to go the bathroom. Generally, cats figure out how to use a litterbox pretty fast.

P.S. You should bring him to a vet anyway for shots and a general checkup. I do agree with getting him a dewormer. Also, he probably needs something for fleas and earmites.

 

[silkiechicken]

Oh.... about hiding poo/pee.... had a friend get an apt and while cleaning, found out that the top of the refrigerator and the top of the kitchen cabinets were where the previous tenants cats used the potty.

 

[Elite Silkies]

I would watch your laundry baskets too if they have clothes in them, learned that one the hard way

I had just got threw washing all of mine and must say that most of them went right to the trash.............. runny cat poo, was not good

 

[Cloverleaf Farm]

If he is used to being outside, he may not be willing to go in a litter box, or anything else inside. When my cat was younger, she would not go if she was inside at all - one time she had to spend 2 nights at my clinic, and she didn't pee the whole time she was there - as soon as we got home, the poor thing jumped out of her carrier, ran to the grass, and squatted forever! Maybe take him out to the grass to see if he will do his business outside...