My cat Tipsy went to be neutered today. he is nearly a year old but has only recently come to live with us. Ive never had a cat before and me and my kids love him dearly. I found out at the vets that he isnt litter trained (He is an outside cat) and by the time I bought my boy home he was soaked in urine and he stunk it was awful my son and I tried to wash him with a sponge and warm water but although he miawoed and actually growled he didnt strike out.. in the end ive had to put him in our bathroom to dry off, but he stinks. My bathroom is in the process of being decorated and everything has been ripped out so I dont really care if he urinates in there but as yet 7 hrs he hasnt done anything. Will the smell of his urine come off him I feel so sorry for my darling little boy being stuck up in that bathroom but am frightened he will make the rest of my house stink. His ex owner obviously hadnt litter trained him atall. although he is nearly a year can I litter train him although he goes out most of the time..Please give me advice somebody im at my wits end....kyria x

He should clean himself up and smell a bit sweeter by the morning - have you put a litter tray in with him anyway?

FOr training an outside mainly cat - I would put soil into the litter tray as it is what he is used to; if yo are going to keep him in lots then start off with him confined to one area with the litter tray and as he gets more reliable then give him more room.

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It is surprising how well they clean themselves up. He has had a lot of upset it seems so he may be litter trained but everything has thrown him off course a little. Put a litter tray in bathroom at opposite end from where you are placing his food and blankets. He may surprise you once he is feeling better. Don't give up hope. I like Spids suggestion.

Keep us posted and try not to worry too much.

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Tipsy may not be "litter trained" but I wouldnt be to quick to assume this from today's episode.He would be totally out of his comfort zone.He's moved house,has had to get used to new people, smells, and then finds himself in a vets surgery,give him time to find his bearings.Litter tray with either litter or earth,two trays if you have the room,one with each.Lots of fuss and just let him get used to everything as it is all new.You will need to keep him in for a few weeks until he settles and gets used to his new surroundings which will give you all time to bond,good luck and please let us know how he settles.

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My cat is most definitely litter trained and to my knowledge has never done anything in the house, which is where he lives pretty much all the time (he doesn't like to go outside much)....but when he had an operation recently he returned covered in his own wee...I think really it was the stress of the operation and being poorly and being in a bit of pain ... so I wouldn't presume that just because he has done this, he isn't...could just be the circumstances. He cleaned himself up when he felt a bit better.

I'm not a cat expert, and I am sure more people will advise. I kept my cat confined to one room until he was using the tray, then gradually let him out over the rest of the house once he got the idea....not sure if this was the right thing to do, and ours were litter trained when we got them.

Naomi xx

You can also get cat wipes from Pets at Home which you can put in the microwave to make them nice and warm for them Have discovered my kitty loves them as I think he thinks he's just being stroked rather than cleaned!

Hi guys,
Thankyou all so so much for your advice..You were absolutely spot on about him being out of his comfort zone at the vets as Tipsy did in the end use his litter tray..bless his heart, he has actually used it twice now so the ex-owner must have litter trained him..I feel so bad for what happened when we got back from the vet yesterday as he must have wondered what on earth we were doing with him and I also worried all night that we may have hurt him by picking him up. Today he seems fine not really himself very sleepy but I guess he is recovering from the dreadful ordeal he went through at the vet and at home. He truly is a lovely cat and like you said he is really just getting to know us too..Thankyou all so much Ill put soil from the garden in the litter tray from now on and also will buy the wipes. Thankyou again Kyria (and tipsy) xxx

Forgot to add, he cleaned himself up so much he has his basil brush fluffy tail back and what has really amazed us is he doesnt even smell of pee anymore!! xx

If he's already using his litter tray, there's no need to go putting soil in it as this was just suggested as a way to encourage him to use the tray if he was refusing. If he's already using litter, then you've already crossed a huge hurdle!

Hope he feels better soon.

Thanks for the update,so good to read that he was just a bit disorientated,which was to be expected.

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