Hi everyone! My boyfriend and I recently rescued a stray cat. He has been taken to the vet, vaccinated, and is in great health now. He is happy, well loved, well fed, and played with frequently. He shows very little interest in returning back outdoors.
But he won't pee in his box, and it's driving us crazy. We've been trying to solve this problem since we got him almost three months ago. His litter box used to be in the bathroom, but he would rarely pee in it. He has no issue with pooping there, however. He would only pee in the upstairs hallway. There used to be two cats living here before we moved in...I'm not sure if this area smells like them or is just the spot he's chosen. We changed litter, and that helped for a few days, but then it was back to peeing in the hall. I got a Nature's Miracle Keep Off Spray and doused the hall in it....it helped for a few days, but then it was back to peeing in the hall. Each time he does, I scrub it with Pet Stain Resolve, and then a citrus cleaner. I wash the walls with a citrus cleaner too. He is still peeing in the hall. We next tried moving his box up to the hall where he pees, and it's been there for over a month. Again, it worked for a few days, and then it was back to peeing in the hall.
His box is scooped twice a day at this point and cleaned regularly. Today my boyfriend picked up a litter attractant, I put down pee pads where he likes to pee so at least it won't keep ruining the carpet, and we got another new, now unscented, litter, as well as more no-pee spray.
Is there something else we can do? The articles I'm finding online haven't helped, I think because of his outdoor history. It doesn't appear to be a medical issue according to our vet. I have a hunch that since he was outside for so long, he isn't used to needing to pee in the same spot. But I hate the idea of needing to let him back outside...we live half a mile from a highway and near two pretty busy roads. He's a smart cat, but it makes me nervous, and I would feel irresponsible letting him out. (It's worth noting, though, that he does seem to hang out near the door when he has to pee. It's the only time when he seems to want to go out.) Do we just keep at it? Is there a stronger carpet cleaner I can use?
Has anyone taken in an outdoor cat and had this problem? We love him so much but this is a huge point of frustration for both of us. I don't want the house to smell like pee. I don't want the cat to have to go outside. I am at a loss, and the end of my rope. Please, if you have any advice at all, I'm open to it!
Thanks in advance everyone!
Edit to add: His litter box is large sized, and we recently removed the lid in case it was a size issue. The XL litter box runs for about $50 at our local pet store and we're hoping that isn't the problem, since again, he poops in there just fine. He also does seem to know he's supposed ot go in his box...he gets frustrated and sprints around the house before he goes. He seems annoyed with the situation too.
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/alcydm/former_outdoor_cat_wont_pee_in_his_boxplease_help/
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