We have two 7 month old kittens - a boy and a girl, neutered, litter trained (by their mother) - lovely cats, friendly, eat well (wet food only), We live in a city, so they are housecats, with occasional walks in the garden, but they get plenty of exercise tearing around the house together, and have always been excellent with the litter tray.. until recently...
The boy became obsessed with the living room rug - would dig at it, then scent mark. We'd shoo him when we spotted this - tried various things to prevent it (cat&dog enzyme cleaner, tea-tree, citronella, shake and vac! Bicarb etc. to both discourage, and deal with the smell). We also stopped letting him in the living room at night/unsupervised.
Nothing has really stopped him, except this physical prevention.
Recently he upped his game, by pooing on the living room carpet, twice (no reason to, litter box clean and available). Then this morning, when I was cleaning the kitchen, he went to the carpet by the sink, scratched and squatted so I shooed him - and he just looked at me, and proceeded to do a full wee. Again, the litter box was clean and available.
I've put out another litterbox, in case he's decided suddenly he doesn't like the first one (and I think I'm going to put a third out just in case), but, I'm looking for ideas, because I'm not convinced that is it. Is he just asserting himself? Will he eventually give up? Or am I going to just have to get rid of any rugs or matts he decides he wants to mark?
All ideas welcome!