My attempt at a public update that is not LJI related...well not much anyway.

[____hejira]

First thing's first

Comments

[sky_queen]

Unfortunately a lot of declawed cats have this issue. Mine did (my parents decided to have her declawed despite everything I told them). What may really help is to confine him to a room with his food and litter box for a while until he is reliably using it, then gradually give him more freedom, let him out for longer and longer periods of time. Also make sure you clean anywhere he's relieved with an enzyme cleaner, otherwise he will smell that he's gone there before and think it is an appropriate place to go again. He may also be stressed, there is a product called feeliway (sp?) that you can plug into the wall or spray and it releases a scent that calms the cat. Hope this helps, let me know if you have any questions; my cat doesn't have this issue anymore but it took a lot of work and we tried a lot of things so it can be solved, I know how frustrating it is though.:(

[sky_queen]

Edit: This is of course if a medical issue has been ruled out by the vet. Perhaps his bladder infection hasn't completely been cleared up, or there is some other medical issue.

[____hejira]

Thanks! He is using his litter box...just not exclusively. He goes in there all the time and kicks about the litter. Hmm. We just got some of the spray you mentioned, so will try it. He's going to the vet tomorrow. He's been very cuddly today, so my guess is he doesn't feel too good. Poor kitty. He's got lots of personality, and i'm not normally a cat person, so if I like him, he's really neat. He seems to even be getting on with the dogs ok. Again, thanks for the advice. Completely winging it on this one.

[sky_queen]

That was my cat too. Would mostly use her litter box, but sometimes she'd decide otherwise. Making her use it exclusively for a bit (small room, no other options like nice comfy beds or couches) really helped. Glad you got the spray and best of luck, he sounds like a lovely cat.

[unsilenceddream]

Poor you guys! I'm really sorry you're having to deal with kitty crap - I guess that would be literally and figuratively. I am not at all an expert on cats, so do not feel that I can provide any inner-wisdom on the matter. How are Hammie and Rango taking to him?

[____hejira]

They're all living in peace it seems. At first he was a little confused by the two huge dogs that wanted to sniff him, but he's figured out that they are basically harmless, so it's all good now.