Cat peeing outside of tray, rescue will take back

[iamnotcrazynow]

Posted this on another cats forum but had no response. Wondering what others would do in this situation.

I adopted a 7 month old neutered male in July and from the get go he has been peeing outside the tray, including on our beds, at least a couple of times a week. At first we thought it was because he didn't like wooden pellet litter that he was given temporarily when the clumping type had run out. We have tried feliway and pet remedy plug ins. He has had the all clear from the vet. He is energetic and playful and has a good appetite. He isn't very affectionate though and usually interprets petting as an invitation to play fighting. He is a biter, a climber and a follower and won't have a door shut between me and him. The rescue did say he occasionally went outside of the litter tray but I thought it would stop. All I know about his past life is that he was given up by a woman with mental health problems who couldn't cope with him and he was underweight and infested with fleas when he arrived at the rescue.

Complicating all this is that I contracted COVID shortly after adopting him and it seems now I have long COVID and I'm almost constantly fatigued. I'm finding it stressful having to wash duvets and bed linen so frequently.

The rescue have a policy of taking animals back if it doesn't work out. Unfortunately due to my own health I don't feel able to go down the cat behaviourist route so I have a verbal agreement with the rescue for them to have him back this Friday the 28th. As you can imagine I am heartbroken about this, but I'm just wondering if I don't suit the cat or the cat doesn't suit me and giving him up is the only thing I can do in my situation as I'm not experienced or skilled in dealing with cat behavioural issues.

Have you tried other types of litter, some cats have very sensitive paws and need a softer texture one. I found physically blocking favourite spots was the only thing that worked. I'd put my bag on the sofa. I put puppy pads inside the cushion covers on the sofa. That worked well.

Does he go out? Our cat will only use the tray if she is absolutely, completely stuck, and even then will go in the bath if she can - she much prefers to toilet outside. We adopted her directly from a family where she was stressed by boisterous young children, but she had been fully indoor and always used the tray. Once she started going out into the garden she rarely used the tray again.

If this feels the right thing to do then do it. I'm sure he'll get a lovely home.

Our boy did this too, peeing right next to the tray after using it happily for years. We bought extra trays and covered a larger area and that seemed to do the trickbut was obviously annoying and a bit of an eyesore.

Oh, we also have two trays, one in the hall and one in the kitchen. He might prefer the tray in a different place?

He is a house cat (6th floor apartment) so does not go out. I will try an extra tray and move his current one to see if that makes any difference. I don't really want to part with him.

Covered tray. Small tray with one type of litter inside a large tray with a different type of litter.

I've no real idea but does anyone know if the big self cleaning ones might help? My cats wouldn't go in a dirty tray.

My god I've just looked at some of the prices!

How high are the sides of you box?

Just checking the litter tray isnt to close to his food/water? Many cats will refuse to toilet near where they eat. Other things to think about; change litter, does he have enough stimulation? Just generally keeping him happy. I havnt been able to shut any door in my house inc. wardrobes since adopting my two!! Cats can be a roller coaster, hopefully you crack it this week so he can stay

Lots of questions coming your way, sorry!

What litter do you use?
How many litter trays and where are they kept?
How far away from his food and water do you keep his litter trays?
If he pees on the bed, why haven't you stopped giving him access to your bedroom?
Was he a house cat before you adopted him or did he previously go outside?

Was he a house cat before you adopted him or did he previously go outside?

This is the big question for me, not all cats cope as indoor cats.

YuRELIEVE is great. It's bladder medicine and helped girl cat loads. She has a "sensitive bladder" and was peeing on my soft furnishings but since taking this there's been no issues at all. Ask the rescue or your vet about it.

OP, I'd go back to basics and shut him in the bathroom with his littertray and food for a few days to make sure he only uses the tray. I recommend Sanicat cat litter, it's quite a fine powder. Do you clean his tray daily? You could also try Cats Best, my cats loved it (I didn't as it tracked everywhere). Are you using a tray or a covered box? (If the last, are you sure he used a covered box before? I'd take lid off.)

I’d try an extra tray and ultraclumping litter but if it’s caused by stress from being a housecat then it’s better for him to be adopted again.

Our Bengal wouldn’t use wood chip litter or normal clumping litter either.

This helpful advice was posted on another thread a few days ago.

Cats aren’t meant to be kept indoors. Some adapt to it but some don’t.
Rehome him and get a Ragdoll.

Lots of cats live indoors, I had two spynxes in a 30 sqm flat living happily.

Cats living indoors very much depends on the individual cat. Some cats just can't cope with it, doesn't matter what breed.

Thanks for all the helpful suggestions everybody. I am going to try different litters, tray placements, also never heard of yurelieve before so will look into that too. I appreciate that people are entitled to their opinions but I personally never enter into debates with strangers on internet forums. Once again, thank you to everyone who has contributed with useful advice. Hopefully I will keep my cat, I love him and don't want to part with him.

That's a very British train of thought though - cats live indoors all over the world with no issue.

I'm also guessing it is a problem with being indoor only, and that if he had outdoor access and a cat flap things would be different.

There are some cats that are perfectly happy to be indoor only, and some that aren't. I suspect you just have the wrong cat for your circumstances.

Please give yourself a break and get a cat that doesn't have these problems. There are so many unwanted cats out there that not only will use their litter box but will also be sweet and loving.
This guy will make your life miserable as you get more and more attached to him and it will remain that way for the next 15 or more years!
He sounds like he needs to be on a farm where he can live in a barn and piss where he pleases.

p.s. my sister's cat required two litter boxes — one for peeing in and one for the other function. Even so he would go all over the house in his later years. He was an indoor cat and spent most of his life hiding under the bed... I think I saw him 3 or 4 times in 20 years. Having been a "cat lady" all her life she has said "no more" and has now got a cocker spaniel! I think he broke her.

I also could not deal with inappropriate soiling. I agree, this may not be the best situation for the cat and he may need outdoor access.

Given he was infested with fleas it seems very likely he went outdoors at his previous home. He also sounds very energetic.

For both these reasons he doesn’t sound like he is likely to be happy as an indoor cat so yes I would rehome him and suggest he goes somewhere with a garden.

There are many rescue cats who can’t go outside due to eg FIV or sight/balance issues so your home could be perfect for one of these.