Cat messing all over the place!

[Bramshott]

Our cat is about 9 years old, and has always been slightly neurotic (!). When we moved to this house 4 years ago, he didn't like the cats next door so he refused to go outside for about 6 months. For the last year or two he has been much better - weeing and pooing in the garden, and only occasionally fighting with one of the cats.

In the last month though, he's suddenly got really bad again - very reluctant to go outside, and almost every morning we come down to at least one wee or poo on the floor (different places every time). Next doors cats are in at night so it can't be them, I guess he has just got into the habit of doing this.

We do sometimes show him what he's done and shout at him, then put him out, but I'm not sure if that's really effective.

Anyone got any tips for the best way to "toilet train" a middle aged cat?! I am already potty-training DD2 at the moment, I could do without having to do the cat too!!

litter tray ?

ERm, shouting at a cat won't work. Nor will shoving its nose in the mess. Just in case you were thinking of that as I know some people who have done that.

There could be a new more menacing cat prowling about or even a fox in the neighbourhood that is really scaring your cat.

He needs a litter tray. Give him the option to be clean and he will be.

Our cat is neurotic too and so we have always had to have a litter tray on hand for her just in case - despite being outside all day she still likes prefers to use it as I suppose it feels more secure for her.

Also be careful what you use to clean up cat wee/poo as some things will encourage them to continue to use the same spots.

I always recommend a spray of 'Wash and Get Off' after cleaning as it neutralises any smells and deters them from doing it again.

Hmm, I was hoping that you wouldn't say that!! Yes, I could get a litter tray, but he has always been an outside cat, and there's certainly loads of space for him to roam (and poo!).

I would definitely say litter tray.

You can also try putting little bowls of food down where he's messing - it'll deter him from using that spot again.

And you can use a mix of water and non-bio washing powder to clean the area, which will remove any odours better than 'product'.

Please don't shout or punish - cats don't associate in the same way we would - they just hear you shouting and think you're being horrid to them. (Easier said than done in the heat of the moment though I know!)

If it persists though I'd get him checked by the vet as there could be an underlying health issue going on (although it does sound like he's being terrorised by something outside).

Good luck!

We've just had to buy a litter tray for our elderly cat.
He was a hayshed cat, living outside. He moved in about 2 years ago, but went outside when nature called.
After a few accidents inside we had to put a litter tray upstairs in the spare room where he sleeps.

He uses the tray and although I didn't want one it is certainly better than clearing up the mess.

(DH believes that it isn't safe for women to clear cat litter/mess - far be it from me to tell him the rule only applies to pregnant women!)

Hehehe I have been making DH do the litter tray since I got pregnant with DS1 over 5 years ago . Am now pregnant with DC3 so am unfortunately still not able to do it.

We actually have a litter tray as we used to have a blind house cat. To save the children/litter tray combo we put a cat flap in the cellar door and put the tray in the cellar so it is private and nowhere near us

Litter tray.

My guess is he is being beaten up outside by another cat (or at least feeling he is at risk of being beaten up). You won't be able to change that so irritating though it is (we don't have litter trays I feel your pain) I think a litter tray will sort it.

Remove all traces of previous accidents as well. Biological washing powder.

And get some Feliway to calm him.

oh and for really neurotic cats you sometimes have to sort of make the cat flap at least look boarded up.

Thanks all - I have come round to the idea. However much I would like him to be an outdoors cat, he obviously isn't , or isn't at the moment / any more. So we will get a litter tray - one of those covered over ones I think, so he can hide away, which is what he seems to want to do.

What is Feliway - is it like cat-valium?!

Feliway is cat appeasing pheromone - makes them feel less stressed, more chilled You can buy it as a plug in diffuser which your cat can smell but you won't.
People have varying levels of success with it, but when I plug mine in my cats all loll around in front of it, looking a little spaced