I'm seconds away from giving my cat away! Please help!

I'm literally seconds away from giving my cat away and making this decision. I have two very beautiful tabby cats. One has just turned a year old and the other is now 1.5 years old. The oldest has been weeing and pooing outside his litter tray since I got him. He is trained, he knows where to go but Id find this sometimes. I changed to a hooded litter tray and it improved, I'd go weeks without this happening but then he'd wee all over my beautiful kitchen floor ruining it, smelling my house, all on the top of his hooded litter tray, all over my bin which may I add is a nightmare, poo wherever he pleases and wishes. The other day it was so bad my whole kitchen was flooded with wee, my bins, behind my bins, on top of litter tray, to be quite honest, this morning is my breaking point! I have been to vets, done all tests required (he's absolutely normal, perfectly healthy!), I've tried more then one litter tray (just meant more mess to clean off the hoods!) now I am breaking point. 

I have lost my temper massively this morning. I heard the sound of wee, walked into my kitchen and caught him weeing everywhere, on top of the hooded litter tray and going down the sides of it, that was it, I saw red, I screamed and screamed (this has been building up a while, I can't take any more, my house is meant to be beautiful and clean - I ALSO have OCD!) but yet he's treating the whole damned place like a toilet and if my landlord knew I'd be thrown out! So yes I kept screaming he ran off the hooded litter tray spraying wee EVERYWHERE... and hid, but I went after him grabbed him, screamed and put him in the spare room. He's still locked in there now whilst I decide what to do with him, right now I just want someone to come pick him up cause I can't bare this any more! My other cat is good as gold, she's never once done anything like this and neither would she dare...... He's an absolute nightmare. I have loved him from day one, more than anything but now this love is becoming a little harder to feel right now when I am so angry all the time.. And truth be told... A new owner wouldn't even want him when he's so dirty! 

I am so worked up, I am trying to work (I work from home) but I am too worked up to even think. So this is impacting my job too! I am not working as hard as I should be, the only way I earn money! I seriously cannot cope any more and I don''t know where to turn to any more. He's an adult cat and should not be doing this. I had the patience of a saint when he was a baby but at 1 and a half years old, all that patience has now completely utterly disappeared! It's not there any more. I have done nothing but love this cat and give him the best. I work from home so he has cuddles 24/7! Literally, sat on my lap whilst I am working or on my laptop. I am always here. He's always being kissed, cuddled and told how loved he is. These cats have so much toys there never bored! They have each other and a very special bond and relationship. They have a huge play centre, they have toys, scratch posts more then most cats get! They get spoilt with food... they are spoilt well and truly! On birthday he got tuna, treats and more toys.. Christmas the same............. So why is my much loved cat acting so awfully! This is my home and I am losing all motivation to even clean it any more, he's treating it like a tramp place. Please someone tell me they have been here before.. I don't know what to do..... I feel like this is just him and I can't deal with it if it is. I don't want to have to re-home him deep down but let's face it.. Who wants their beautiful home destroyed by cat urine and poo? My landlord would flip if he knew!!!!!! 

I can understand how frustrating and annoying that must be, especially with it being a chronic problem! You sound like a loving person and this cat is lucky to have found you. Remember that the cat probably isn't doing it out of meanness, he doesn't understand how stressful it is for us when he makes a mess all over the kitchen. I'm sure someone will come along who can help more, but I thought I'd start off by asking more about you litter pans. How many do you have?

How often do you scoop them, and how often do you fully clean them out and put in fresh litter? It might be that when you swapped to hooded litter pans, they were cleaner and he liked that. But now they're smelly so he goes outside, especially since hooded litter boxes hold on to smells more. I see that you've had success with the covered litter boxes before, but if he's going on top of the lids now maybe you should take the lids off so they can't be repeatedly pooed/peed on. Have they grown bigger since getting the hooded litter boxes? It might also not be big enough at this point. Maybe you could try a mix of hooded and without hood and see what his preferences are now. What litters have you used, and what are you currently using? I know some people have had success with cat attract litter. You can try using different litter in the different boxes to see if one appeals more to him. Also, what are you using to clean it up? An enzyme cleaner might help get rid of the scent and make him stop going repeatedly in the same areas.

Its so hard. I am trying so so hard, I really am. I don't want to give him away deep down. I am doing everything I can. I feel so helpless. I still continue to try give him all the love in the world but I am really losing my patience. He has me in tears now cause he keeps crying cause I shouted at him, I never shout at him. I'm so soft cause I do love him and I hate hearing him so upset but it's so frustrating. Catching him in the act I just saw red, I put him in time out in the spare room (which has a lovely bed and so forth) to cool down mainly because I couldn't calm down and he seems really upset he was put in there, though I think I did the right thing, at the end of the day its a lovely large room, with a bed and so forth so a good place for us both to cool down away from each other. It gave me time to clear my head a little and not continue to get mad at him. 

Yeah I know, it makes me feel so guilty I shouted at him now but I just don't know what else to do. He's just gone to do it again as we speak and I have given him a sharp warning not to. I am at a loss as to why he's doing it. I tried changing the litter everything. No help whatsoever. 

I only have the one because when I had several litter pans to try help this issue it made it worse for me! He just doesn't seem to like them sometimes, no matter how many I have and I can't understand why! So I decided there's no point in having several litter pans if the issue still persisted so I got rid as they were taking up too much room. I am considering changing the litter pan yet again to a high wall one without a lid to see if it helps or at least prevent him weeing on top of the litter pan hood.. But I'm worried it'll cause more urine around the floor and so forth. 

I clean them twice per week, fresh litter. Scoop daily. Someone suggested I try making him an outdoor cat as he cries to go out and that might be why he's playing up but it's hard as I live on busy roads, he loves people, he's too trusting and I worry he'd get hurt. As he does cry to go outside where as my other cat has no interest. Yeah maybe the filter needs changed on the hooded tray id never thought about that. Maybe it is getting a bit smelly. I might try replacing it. I have thought bout getting the high wall ones without a lid, I might buy a couple and experiment. 

I am using the only one that seems to have stopped him doing it as often, its a highly absorbent one before this one he used to do it even more! He's very funny with what litter I use. He's just a very funny cat. I will look into getting the enzyme cleaner thank you. I've never heard of cat attract litter going to have to look into that too. I will be ordering some things tonight. Yeah I'm considering buying a new litter tray that's got very high walls but without the hood, maybe be more successful. 

Well he's gone inside the litter tray now for his wee now I've given him a sharp warning not to do it again. I hope that's the end of it for today as I have to work. 

This is your older cat messing up? If you haven't had him Vet checked in a while it's time to, mine has done the same...almost did a doodoo right next to me once   I was completely shocked!  urinating in places where he KNOWS is totally wrong, can be signs of illness, stress from being ill not well, when recovered everything went back to normal again. Good idea to take him in Asap.  

Is he desexed?

How many litter boxes do you have?

Is he declawed?

are you cleaning the spots correctly?

Has he been taken to the vet?

If yes what did they say

Are there many stray cats in the area?

Nature's Miracle  will help prevent cats from soiling same spot. 

I agree, if he is going ON TOP of the box, he wants to go in the box but something is keeping him from doing so, I would take off the hood, try several with different litters to see which one he picks. Then you can start to eliminate the boxes. Confine him to a small room for a while and see if he uses the box or avoids it. I take it he is neutered, toms can be very temperamental and can spray and eliminate in the oddest places. Your cat may be acting up because he sees cats outside, but that usually involves urinating on windows, doors or walls. Some cats do urinate standing up and over the side of tehebox, I have one, so I got a high sided box on Amazon for 9.99 and it works perfectly. A high sided plastic box works too, but the ones for cats are cut down in the front. I know you are frustrated, there is nothing worse then cleaning up cat urine. Please don't give up on him, he loves you and I'm sure he is confused and scared now, which will only make him sneaky, and you don't want that. I truly think there is hope because he is trying to use the box, just not correctly,. All the luck, I'll pray you find a solution, and thank you so much for asking for help, I hope you find an answer!

I said in my first post he's been to vets he is perfectly healthy. This is something he has always done since a few weeks old, it is not all the time, he can go weeks without doing it then do it. It's just becoming too much for me. 

Yes he is neutered. No he's not declawed, don't believe in it and think its cruel. Yes I am cleaning correctly. No he's an indoor cat. 

Thanks will get some Nature's Miracle! 

Okay thanks I am going to remove the lid then. Yeah that's a good idea about trying all the different litters, I'd never thought of that. I will have to try that. Yeah he is neutered, has been a very long time, got him done as soon as I could. Can you give me a link to the hide sided box you use? As that was what was happening which is why I swapped to hooded! 

Yeah he loves me very much we have such a strong bond and he's so close to our other cat. I'd hate to part with him and really don't want to, I got him with the intentions of being a pet for life and I'd miss him so much just didn't expect him to be such hard work. Yeah he was sneaky, he's poo'd in another place now away from the place I gave him wrong from! I dunno what is causing him to do this... But it must be something wrong with the hooded tray! So I am going to try get rid. Yeah you might be right considering it is on top of the box... It's just awful to clean as goes all over floor, everything though sometimes he goes on top of my bin?! My bin is also high up and I'm wondering if it reminds him of the litter tray lid??? maybe he's confused cause the lid bin lid is similar to litter tray lid.. maybe he thinks that's what he's supposed to do? No idea. Thank you. 

We have a female that peed outside her box on clothing, towels, throw rugs, etc... Was at my breaking point. Vet ordered Prozac and never has she peed outside her box again....

It could be cystitis. . .that's not something that's easy for vets to detect and it's usually triggered by stress. So it could be that every now and then he gets stressed (for whatever reason; cats are weird) and has a flare-up. The best thing for that is getting him to consume more water (by drinking or in wet food), and if that doesn't work, anti-anxiety meds or painkillers (only with a vet's supervision!) might help.

Thanks MiaFamily that's an interesting comment, I'm going to be talking to pet behaviouralist from vets at some point so maybe something similar can be done. 

Thanks Willowy I will have to look into this. 

@Grrr Cat  had asked are there any strays in the area?  Strays that come visit might make the kitty feel like he needs to mark his territory.  I only had one kitty, Sammy, who began marking AFTER he was neutered.  (The others marked before.)  I had all the tests done and he was fine, in fact, the vet said he was a naughty kitty. 

That's not a good explanation though!  I don't believe cats are spiteful by nature.  There's always a reason why they do the things they do. In Sammy's case, he felt threatened when I brought in the feral kitties.  They had been slowly introduced, but even so he let his true feelings known.   I also don't think lots of love makes any difference, obviously it hasn't helped in your case because there's another reason why he's doing it.  Yelling won't help either but I thoroughly understand the frustration.  Been there.  Also, there is NO way to discipline a cat.  Telling them no won't help, at all. 

Does your kitty feel threatened by the other one and feel the need to assert dominance?  That's the only other thing I can think of besides strays visiting and making him upset.  There are ways to deal with either situation.  Jackson Galaxy has some episodes about marking inappropriately.  How about this one:

http://jacksongalaxy.com/category/pee-poop-problems/

Yikes! I hope this can be resolved so you and your kitty can live in harmony.

Here's some suggestions that I have:

1. Go back to multiple boxes. You need at least 1 per every male cat.

2. What are you using to clean these messes? The harsher cleansers (like bleach based products) sometimes cause this nasty behavior to continue. Some one recommended nature's miracle and I "second" that.

3. Have you tried a diffuser? I got one because I have two adolescent boys who mark my house (so gross). It was turning into multiple times a day that they'd spray outside their boxes. I plugged the diffuser in on Sunday - and they haven't done it since. I'm impressed. I was expecting a week or so for it to really have an effect.

4. You mentioned a behaviorist? I think in your case, that's your best option

On a side note: If you do rehome this cat, do you think you'd fine new owners who have the patience to deal with appropriately? My concern is possible mistreatment or worse... they dump him some where.

Best of luck

I explained my cats an indoor cat. He's never been near another cat apart from his best friend Marla!

Yeah it's frustrating.... he does not listen. It's not like a dog where you can take them to the accident, tell them off and put them outside.. cat's just don't work the same. I think its normal to lose your rag sometimes but it definitely doesn't help matters! I've bought a new litter tray maybe a fresh new litter tray will help the issue. 

No he was an only cat for a very long time! And he has done this from 8 weeks old! It's not the other cat at all. They are the best of friends, never ever seen two pets so in love with each other. Always cuddling, always kissing, never apart. They adore each other them too, she's definitely not the issue, this happened before she even came onto the scene! Thankfully she does not copy him considering how close they are! Thanks for the link! 

Me too Inanna! The multiple boxes don't work and living in a flat its not very practical, no room! Tiny kitchen and I got rid as it made no difference. Oh I never even thought bout my cleaning products, I use bleach!! Maybe this is causing the issue too?? I always use a bleach based cleaner.. maybe time to start changing my cleaner. I will definitely buy some nature's miracle. 

No not tried a diffuser, will look into this too. Yes I rung the vets and they are referring me to a behaviorist, hoping this will help matters. 

I won't rehome him, I just feel like it when I am so worked up to point I feel I could then I look at him sleeping peacefully or him rolled up in my arms and I  know how much I love him and like you said, nobody would have the patience for him I don't think, I think he'd end up from home to home and he's so in love with our other cat and so attached to me to the point he waits for me at the front door when I leave the house that it wouldn't seem fair to leave him.. He even follows me and cries when he knows I'm leaving. Thank you! 

If you live near on the bottom floor, the cat can smell and hear cats that are outside your apartment. But I agree that probably isn't the cause in your case, since it's been happening consistently since he was so young. I feel like you need more than one litter box, even though I totally understand having limited space. It isn't going to cure the problem having more than one, but I still think it could help you try out different litter box locations and litters. You can put the other box in your bathroom or something, anywhere you can find a small spot with a floor that you can clean easily.

If you haven't yet, I suggested thing some Cat Attract litter (or even Kitten Attract litter) made by Dr. Elsey's.

We have several cats with "elevator butt" in the rescue and are making the change to litter boxes made out of sterilite totes. I use the 30-Gallon totes and cut a hole in the front for easy entry. I do not use the lid.

Here's what mine look like:

I know he's an indoor cat.  I got that already.  Cats can see through windows though.  That's what I meant about him seeing a stray.

I know bleach and ammonia make things worse. They can actually encourage cats to go where they aren't meant to. Use an enzyme or something like Nature's Miracle. 

This is the litter box we use at home: 

Like other have said try different types of litter.  I would try to have several different litter boxes, uncovered, covered, deep, not deep, etc.  All with different litters and put in several different areas around the house & scoop at least twice a day.    

Since you've ruled out health problems, perhaps behavioral medication could help. My vet prescribed anxiety medication for my cat after ruling out physical problems. He uses the box fine now and we've had him weaned off the meds for a few months now.