Urinating outside litter tray - TRIED EVERYTHING!!!

[joanne2017]

I am here because I am at my wits end. We adopted a male kitten a year ago and since we got him he has not ever consistently used his litter box but his new peeing place is driving me crazy.

We have another male cat, they play fight but nothing serious, our original kitty is quite boisterous and can often attempt to steal Ollie's food so we keep a watchful eye over that now. They are both neutered and I don't believe the relationship between the 2 to be the cause of this behavioural issue. They will both lie on me in bed and cuddle into each other so definitely doesn't seem to be animosity.

Since we got Ollie he has taken to weeing on our rug/couch/throws/jumps on to the kitchen workshop and wees on the dishtowels, anything soft lying around. Over the past few months we have tried different litters, we have 3 litter trays, a mixture of closed top and open. The trays are nowhere near their food and are kept very clean, fully emptied with new litter twice per week and dirty litter picked out once daily. 9 times out of 10 he will use the litter tray with no problems so I took it upon myself to remove any piece of soft furnishing so nothing was left lying around that he could urinate on. We have an open plan living room/kitchen so can't keep them out of the living room and whilst there is a sofa to be used as a toilet and the parents aren't around that's where he does his business. Both cats are neutered, we have tried feliway it made no difference whatsoever, I have taken him to the vets on a few separate occasions for check ups and the vet assures me he is completely healthy.

I am worried that he wants outside, as we currently live right on a busy main road there is no way I would feel comfortable letting him outside, aside from that he is the most timid, scared wee guy I have ever met due to a terrible start in life.

The reason I come to you now is because he has started to wee in the water/food bowls which is just so bizarre. I am worried this is going to cause health issues for my other baby and I am really at a loss. 2-3 times per day I go into the kitchen to find his white whiskas bowl filled with urine along with my floor.

We thought it was perhaps due to the fact he felt the water was unclean so we got a water fountain for them but it has made no difference either.

Please help!!! There must be a solution to this frustrating situation. The last thing I want to do is give him up.

[Lilith]

Urrgghhh, barf! Poor you!

I confess I've never heard of this. It's appalling.

My first thought was, what about crating him when he can't be supervised. Not very good for an active kitten though. I'd also clean the trays the minute you see anything in them - I have a naughty girl who wouldn't use a tray unless it was spotless, but she also disliked the litter I was using; she prefers a clay, unscented litter and she's ok with that.

I found that close supervision worked with my girl but of course there were times when I couldn't - and the little horror liked to wee in the corner when I was on the phone - just for attention. Five years on she's quite a good girl though.

There's a free behavioural service you can email on here - [email protected]

Hopefully others will be along with more advice but hope this helps for now, you're very brave, I'd be CURSING. All the best, oh, and welcome to the forum

[Kay]

a few accidents is not uncommon, but your boy is going above and beyond

peeing in water and food bowls is something I have never come across, and I have to agree with Lilith that a behaviourist might be your only hope

meanwhile, I wonder if you've tried puppy pads - as he has shown a predilection for soft furnishings he might use them