Hi, I am new the forum. I am a first time cat owner to a cat that was adopted from the local shelter approximately 3 weeks ago. He is a 4 year old neutered male named Bug that is kept strictly indoors and has no history other than "stray" that we are aware of. We have 3 animal-friendly dogs and a 22 month old toddler who is 100% supervised with the pets.
When he first came home, we set up our guest bedroom for him and kept him in there for about 5 days so he could quietly adjust to his new home. We let him out of the room to have free range of the house and kept the entry of the guest bedroom door babygated so he can come and go as he wants and have a safe place to retreat. Everything has been great and he has quickly taken over the household and has no apparent issues with the dogs or the toddler. We have thought he was the perfect cat and we couldn't believe he ended up in the shelter.
About 4 days ago, I noticed that neither of his litter boxes had any urine in them (we have a 2 story house - one litter box is in "his" room and the other is in the upstairs laundry). We were using "Yesterday's News" litter as that was what the shelter was using and he had not been having issues. Both litter boxes are covered, again, as that is what he had at the shelter. So about 4 days ago when I noticed the dry boxes, I saw him squatting in the corner of our family room. I yelled at him and he sauntered to his room and used the box. Then he did it again. So we locked him back in his room, took the cover off the box and switched to Cat Attract litter. He's been using the box ever since without issue.
Today, I let him back out of the guest room and all appeared fine. Then I noticed him sort of slinking around so I quietly followed him and caught him trying to pee in my dining room! So, he's now back in the guest room. I am going to take him to the vet for a UA/UC but if it was a UTI, wouldn't he not be using the litter box when he's in the guest room? I am at a loss.
We love him already but I cannot have him peeing all over my house. BTW, this is a brand new construction house so there have never been other cats or animals in it besides our dogs (the dogs are 100% house trained). I would love any suggestions. I don't want to return him to the shelter but if we don't get this issue corrected, I will have to. I'm not interested in making him an outside cat.
I appreciate any insight anyone can give me. Thanks!
When he first came home, we set up our guest bedroom for him and kept him in there for about 5 days so he could quietly adjust to his new home. We let him out of the room to have free range of the house and kept the entry of the guest bedroom door babygated so he can come and go as he wants and have a safe place to retreat. Everything has been great and he has quickly taken over the household and has no apparent issues with the dogs or the toddler. We have thought he was the perfect cat and we couldn't believe he ended up in the shelter.
About 4 days ago, I noticed that neither of his litter boxes had any urine in them (we have a 2 story house - one litter box is in "his" room and the other is in the upstairs laundry). We were using "Yesterday's News" litter as that was what the shelter was using and he had not been having issues. Both litter boxes are covered, again, as that is what he had at the shelter. So about 4 days ago when I noticed the dry boxes, I saw him squatting in the corner of our family room. I yelled at him and he sauntered to his room and used the box. Then he did it again. So we locked him back in his room, took the cover off the box and switched to Cat Attract litter. He's been using the box ever since without issue.
Today, I let him back out of the guest room and all appeared fine. Then I noticed him sort of slinking around so I quietly followed him and caught him trying to pee in my dining room! So, he's now back in the guest room. I am going to take him to the vet for a UA/UC but if it was a UTI, wouldn't he not be using the litter box when he's in the guest room? I am at a loss.
We love him already but I cannot have him peeing all over my house. BTW, this is a brand new construction house so there have never been other cats or animals in it besides our dogs (the dogs are 100% house trained). I would love any suggestions. I don't want to return him to the shelter but if we don't get this issue corrected, I will have to. I'm not interested in making him an outside cat.
I appreciate any insight anyone can give me. Thanks!
I hope he tests all clear. 
)
If he only has one litter box, add one or two more - the compromise is better than peeing outside the box.
