Caring for and brought a stray in, be he constantly howls and misbehaves.

About a month ago I noticed a very slim and lanky black bobtail camping out in my yard, slowly I gained his trust and got him eating a proper diet. Already having 4 cats, I was reluctant to move him in, but when the weather dropped to freezing and he was puffed up sitting on my porch chair, I decided to house him in my garage. The following day I took him to the vet to get his shots, do various tests, ear mite treatment and to get neutered. I was informed that I had a very large and healthy 16lb boy that was about a year old. Over the next few days I slowly started introducing him to his brothers and sisters and that's when all hell broke loose. He is sweet and cuddly with me, but very standoffish with them. His howling in constant and extremely loud; he sounds as if he was dying. Along with the howling we are having bathroom issues. He refuses to use the litter box in the house even though he used the one that I had set up for him in the garage the first night. He has left my several stinky presents and well as puddles, even when I am staring directly at him. I have tried reprimanding him and then taking him to the litter box and telling him good kitty, but this doesn't seem to work. All of my other cats (the first two were feral kittens) have had no issues with howling or the litter box. I am at a loss of what to do. Please help. Thanks.

kirottu82 said:

 
About a month ago I noticed a very slim and lanky black bobtail camping out in my yard, slowly I gained his trust and got him eating a proper diet. Already having 4 cats, I was reluctant to move him in, but when the weather dropped to freezing and he was puffed up sitting on my porch chair, I decided to house him in my garage. The following day I took him to the vet to get his shots, do various tests, ear mite treatment and to get neutered. I was informed that I had a very large and healthy 16lb boy that was about a year old. Over the next few days I slowly started introducing him to his brothers and sisters and that's when all hell broke loose. He is sweet and cuddly with me, but very standoffish with them. His howling in constant and extremely loud; he sounds as if he was dying. Along with the howling we are having bathroom issues. He refuses to use the litter box in the house even though he used the one that I had set up for him in the garage the first night. He has left my several stinky presents and well as puddles, even when I am staring directly at him. I have tried reprimanding him and then taking him to the litter box and telling him good kitty, but this doesn't seem to work. All of my other cats (the first two were feral kittens) have had no issues with howling or the litter box. I am at a loss of what to do. Please help. Thanks.

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You do use the same litter box for them all, or you have several, and preferably, one for him exclusively?

Having several cats its always wise to have several litters.  And he, being freshly a tom, with many hormones still left, he

1.  Doesnt wants to use others litter others had already pissed in

2.  He is used to piss in his own revire.  When he was alone on the litter, it didnt matter.   But now he wants to leave his signature, but cant - the litter belongs essentially to the others.

All in all, it will be better after a while, when his hormone levels goes down.  When he is like a typical neutered boy, and not as yet,  an adult tom just a few days ago.

Or do I read wrong the circumstances?

Good luck!

Currently, there are 2 boxes. Both are cleaned on a daily basis.

kirottu82 said:

 
Currently, there are 2 boxes. Both are cleaned on a daily basis.

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Ok, but I think my analysis stands still... Make an box for him exclusively.    Later on being a third, they will all use together, when they had become friends.

Also, part of this misbehavior is prob he is stressed, its a new situation for him to be together with others... Inside at that.

I can't keep one exclusively for him, unless I keep him in the garage by himself or in a tiny bathroom. My house is an open concept and the bathroom in the only closable door.

As for the howling that is the his longing for the great outdoors and it could also be begging. It could also be loneliness. These are all normal stray to house cat transition behaviors. The howling should be a little less now that he is neutered. As for the litterbox I agree he needs his own. you probably would want to start with dirt from outside from a spot you know he's gone before. If you don't want to use dirt You can also take his accidents and soak them up with cat litter and then put what is soaked up with new litter in the litter box. He needs to smell his scent in the box so he know that's where he is supposed to go. This also is normal transition behavior you have now with him . How long has he been inside with you now?

He has been inside for a little over 2 weeks now.

This won't be a permanent thing it's still early and he's still making the transition. It's annoying behavior and sometimes gross stepping on the puddles by accident but with a few adjustments he should be fine soon.

The golden rule for litter boxes if one per cat plus one extra.  Two litter boxes for 5 cats is not enough.  Also be sure the litter boxes are large.  I use sterlite under the bed boxes.  The are about 23-25" long and 18" wide and 5" deep.  Perfect for a large cat.  Also be sure the litter box isn't covered.  Most cats don't like a covered box.  You can also try some Dr. Elsey's LItter Attract.  It works well to attract a cat to the litter box.  He is still getting used to this.

Another trick is when he has an accident, sop up the urine with a paper towel and bury it into the litter.  This will put his scent into the box which might make him more comfortable. 

Since he has only been in the house for 2 weeks, you might have rushed introductions.  Since you already have 4 cats that can be very overwhelming for a newcomer.  Introductions need to be done very slowly.  Can you let me know what you did for introductions?  It might help to go back and redo some.

As for the howling, this will decline as his hormones decline and he gets used to your home.  He also needs your attention and reassurance.  Play with him (or teach him to play) and spend time with him.  He is scared.  Do you have any Feliway plug ins?  They can really help.  Also some Composure might help him too. 

Please do not reprimand him.  He is adjusting to a new indoor only life.  This takes time.  I brought a feral/stray into my home last year.  He had been living outside as a feral/stray with very little human interaction for almost 2 years.  He also had not been neutered.  Once I brought him inside, it took him almost a full year to adjust to indoor life along with my resident cat and dog.  It was a slow process.  You need to have patience as well as working with him. 

Thank you for caring about him and doing what is best for him.  We are all here to help.