What else can I do about inappropriate elimination?

Question

My husband and I moved from CA to OR two months ago with our two cats, and at least twice a week I've been finding urine and feces outside the litterbox (we have two boxes--one for each cat, which they both appear to use on a regular basis)--on my purse, in the kitchen sink, in carpeted corners of the apartment, etc. This has never happened before. By confining one of the cats we were able to deterimine the culprit. We took him to the vet to rule out a bladder infection; we sprayed all his usual areas with Feliway; we made an effort to spend more time with him; we confined him for a while to one room to re-train him to use his litterbox (which worked for about two days); we confined our other cat to rule out a territorial issue; we put a little bit of dirt in his litterbox to simulate our backyard back in CA...we don't want to have to get rid of the cat, but we're running out of both money and patience. Does anyone have anything to suggest that we haven't tried?

Answer 1

Yikes! I've had to deal with this once myself. Try re-confining him for longer. Take him out & re-introduce him to the house. slowly & always bring him back to his one room of confinement when your done with him. Another thing I'd try (not sure if you've tried it or not) but sometimes especially w/male cats & new environments if your tracking in smells he's not use too he could be trying to establish territory. leaving your shoes outside the door or cleaning them before coming in. Your purse could have picked up a smell. It sounds like he might be insecure in his new environment. The other thing I've used is a spray bottle keep it handy, water w/just a touch of vinegar (they hate the way vinegar smells) if you catch him in the act give him a little spray and spray the area if you can. Good luck & I feel for you truly I do.

Answer 2

Try changing his litter. I had an indoor/outdoor cat and when I moved he became indoor only for awhile. He quit using his litter box reliably after we moved even though it was the same litter as before. I changed his litter type and no problems since...I think when he was indoor/outdoor he rarely used the litterbox and when that was his only option he just quit until he got some litter he liked.

Answer 3

I believe the 1st answer to characteristic yet another muddle container. lots of what I examine has been a million muddle container according to cat plus one greater. I even have 2 cats and that i've got 3 muddle bins. additionally, my 6 year previous spayed lady will nevertheless specifically circumstances no longer use her container to poo, and this occurs while she would not experience properly. Cats are truly solid at hiding while then don't experience fairly top so your cat won't be completely as much as par yet. additionally you would be able to evaluate changing litters, companies replace formula specifically circumstances and the cat(s) won't like it. I even have heard of cat litters that "charm to" cats. Please wait and see inclusive of your pets, i'm particular they gets back to customary quickly.

Answer 4

i had a cat once that was particular about the type of litter i used. if i used anything other than the one she liked, she would go anywhere but the litter box.

Answer 5

I noticed that you said him......he's having to remark his territory. Is it a new house? one that you moved into? there's no telling what smells he's picking up. I know that cats will do that, especially males, that's why I'll NEVER have another one.

Answer 6

your cat is unhappy with the move and is showing you that by eliminating anywhere. As for stopping him I don't know I grew up with a cat that hated my sister and would pee infront of her bedroom door everyday.

Answer 7

good for you doing all this and not rubbing his nose in it!
here's a web site with all sorts of solutions to litter box problems, I hope there's stuff you haven't tried yet
http://cats.about.com/od/litterboxproblems/
good luck