We have four cats who we have had for a lot of years. We moved house in February and when we moved obviously kept them inside which meant they used a litter tray in the dining room. They didn't used to use a litter tray in our old house as they had access to the garden which had flowerbeds and a gravel path which they also liked to toilet in. In the new house they did sometimes go to the toilet outside the litter tray in the dining room but I put this down to stress and/or being a bit confused. They are now all allowed to go outside but we don't have a proper garden like they are used to- only a courtyard which has pots but no beds or gravel path. They (some but not all of them but not sure which ones are the culprits) are now continuing to use the house to toilet off and on. Things we have done and tried:
- putting their food bowls in the areas they have peed in. This worked to deter them but as soon as we move the bowl they go back to using the areas.
- Feliway (although admittedly only in one room as it's expensive and the house is too big to justify it in every room)
- putting a litter tray outside with gravel in for them. They use it but still also use inside.
- rug doctor cat detergent to clean the carpet to deter them.
- putting a cat flap in the fence to allow them access to the lane and the outdoor space beyond
They actually all seem happier in general in this house than the last one as it is much bigger so they have more space to roam and don't have to spend time together if they don't want to. So whilst I do wonder if it's stress related I think it's probably mainly that they don't like their toilet options outside now and /or they have got used to going inside. I say "they" but I actually think it's only one or two of them that do this. Any ideas to stop this once and for all?