How often should a cat use the litterbox?

Question

I am house-sitting a 11yrd male cat. He is mostly an indoor cat but goes out 1-2 a day (never for very long), depending on what time I get home from work. I've noticed his litterbox is never very dirty even when he's been inside for long periods of time. I cleaned it today and there were only 2 clumbs of pee and no poo (I cleaned it previously on Wed.& today's is Sat.) I am pretty sure he's not doin business anywhere inside the house, but I'm concerned that he's not going often enough and something might be wrong with him. Any advice/suggestions before I schedule a vet appointment?

Answer 1

First of all, watch to see if he is doing his business when he's outside. If not, then he may be dehydrated. Make sure he's getting adequate food and water intake. You may need to switch him to a canned, soft food. If that is not the issue, seek medical attention. I would ask the owners first, unless you're prepared to foot the bill.

Answer 2

My cats' litte box is not too soiled during the day - just 1, 2 or 3 clumps of pee (and that's 2 cats!). They poop at night and becuase I stay up real late, I clean up immediately. So, 1 or 2 clumps of pee during the day in the litter box is quite normal. As for not having seen poop yet - you will shortly, I am sure (unless the cat you are baby-sitting) does his business outside). Sometimes, some cats do not poop for 2 even 3 days in a row when something is strange in their environment (like oyu - no offense meant). Then they poop when it can no longer be kept in. When I took my cat with me for a weekend visit on an old classmate, my cat withheld his poop until the Sunday night before we had to leave - that was 3 days! I was worried too, so I understand how you are feeling. Just make sure that your cat has access to plenty of water so when he eventually poops, it wont be too hard (he he he).

Answer 3

That would be under par production if he is eating OK. Is his diet totally dry food? Male cats who eat only dry food are very prone to getting crystals in their urine and urinary infections. Are you living in the house with him overnight? One of the clues there is a problem is if the cat goes to box and doesn't produce anything, digging or straining.

So if he's in the house 22 hours a day (out 2 hours a day) he must be having trouble and needs to go to a vet pretty quick. Renal poisoning can occur in 48 hours and lead to death. So since so little has been produced since Wednesday an emergency vet may be in order. That's if diet is dry food only and you see he goes to the box and does not produce urine.

Answer 4

Keep him in the house for 24 hours so he has to use the box. Normally a cat poops 2 times daily and pees 4 times at least.

Answer 5

I would wait before you schedule a vet appt. some times a cat will drink more tha he eats . if the cat seems to be normal and healthy the I wouldn;t worry to much there could be lots of things that could be bothering him . he could be missing his owner or he could even have a touch of a cold is there any discharge coming out of his eyes is his nose dry if things do not improve then go with your first instinct and call the vet because you are the one takeing care of him and you see him on a daily basis bye I hope this helps

Answer 6

Sounds like he's defecating outside. Be sure that he's getting plenty of water and food, and of course make sure that his box is clean every day.

Answer 7

Dont worry it happens most of the time so just wait a couple of days and dont let him out of the house!!

Answer 8

Well he could be doing his business outside too, or he could be possibly constipated. Try not giving him any human food and if you already do that I would try a vet.

Answer 9

he is more than likely going outside then or someplace in the house