So exasperated with our cat right now !

Sorry typos from phone.

The mistake I made with my cat [although I think she was always a dirty cat] was putting her food bowl near to her litter tray. Also had another cat at the time who dominated her [and was jealous that she was allowed outside and he was a house cat, due to being Burmese]. Even so, after he died she still messed all over the place.

Am now very put off about aquiring another cat.... most of ours have been well behaved but the last one was a nightmare about relieving itself all over the place, once it reached about 11 years old ( and lived to 15). We then replaced all the carpets and redecorated.

Lemon.that's my frustration in that our carpets are so new and it will be a long time,if ever before we replace them.Our little female cat that lived to be 19 was so clean.We had a much bigger 4 storey house then and always closing doors,and the innumerable places to do a secret poo there would have made this fella a total nightmare.The fire is lit,he's in the lounge having bagged the best dog bed so don't feel too sorry for him .It's also the thought of Xmas looming.Family coming and going and so much to do.Constantly having to think where's the cat just adds another pressure.And don't get me started on losing the ability to de-camp to a spare room if /when DH snores !I love my family and animals really.But no more cats for us !

I do understand Washerwoman and I remember that ‘ where is he now, what is he doing’ feeling, especially when stressed about other things!
I enjoy making a fuss of the cats in other peoples houses now.

It might just be worth using a diffuser thingy; we can't see inside their heads and it might just make him think differently. Perhaps, having had new carpets he's trying to put his scent onto them and a diffuser might help#clutchingatstraws My whippet is a cat substitute in that she acts like a cat but I have more control over what she does. I don't think I'll ever have a cat again.

That's interesting Tegan.I only said to DH the other day as we get older I think its whippet for me.We've always had dogs too.Labradors, border collie and now 2 springers who are still young,crazy but adorable.Our last old dog was a rescue whippet cross (with a Staffie!)but an amazing dog.When he was a really old boy he lost it and would poo in his bed and then look very upset.He was so clean,unless he was ill. All our dogs have been.Cat are just more sneaky,and complicated I'm coming to the conclusion!Will get a Feliway plug in though.The carpets have been down 2 years actually.Just had so much done renovating the bungalow everything still feels relatively new !

I have 4 beautiful cats so have some experience of their needs . It could be that your cat is unwell but it is more likely to be the litter tray or type of litter . I only have 1 cat which uses a tray because she is blind but I keep it VERY clean . Clean the whole lot out every day , new liner and litter and use a poop scope if needed during that day . Cats are very clean and will not use a less than clean tray . Does the cats get on with the new dogs ? she may feel insecure with these new boisterous dogs . Felliway is good especially felliway friends which helps them accept new interlopers ! I work for an animal sanctuary and they recommended felliway friends when one has multiple pets . I hope you manage to sort the problem , so many animals are given up before trying all the options . Good luck x

Somewhat off topic but when my dg was little her mother was astounded to see her using the cat litter tray! Makes me laugh even now years later

Thabks F77ms .Does the cat get on with the new dogs ?The dogs are 4 years old this week and our cat arrived 13years ago when our collie and whippet cross were still young and lively.The spaniels are crazy on the walks in a typically spaniel way,but well trained,but actually more placid in the house than you would imagine as they get so much exercise .Sorry to smile but this cat takes no prisoners!Every dog that's ever come to our house,including my DDs and friends are very respectful of him,he really is top cat.And for twelve years before we moved 3 years ago we ran a home dog boarding establishment. The cats had their own access via a cat flap in a separate door,and the dogs that weren't ours had their own sleeping,eating and exercise areas.But he would wander around happily whilst customers were dropping off and collecting,chatting to us etc very unfazed by all the dogs.We also offered a pet home visit service and I've literally cleaned out thousands of litter trays.I'm scrupulous about litter tray hygiene.and at some customers had to go and buy extra litter,liners etc .whilst they were away because they obviously didn't clean up as regularly. But as I said previously I will try a Feliway despite no obvious changes in the environment, or type of litter he's always used..Signing off now but thanks.

Keep us up to speed with all this, won't you. It's baffling me!

A quick update for those kind enough to post.We seem to have got a good system going now with our cat ,and so far no more hidden poop under the bed.He's allowed in the lounge and hall during the day when we are out ,with all bedroom doors shut and his litter tray in the bathroom. He hasnt actually used the litter tray for weeks anyway,but there as a back up.At night he goes out,he seems more than happy with this,even in the recent icy weather.But he goes straight to the little summer house where I have put his cosy nest inside a very sturdy cardboard box and lined with fleecy vet bedding.He seems to love it in there.A neighbour gave me a felliway plug in she hadn't needed and that's plugged in the hall.DD is coming for a week at Xmas with her two dogs,but he's very used to them and will happily snooze on the best dog bed only inches away so no doubt all the animals with snuggle down when the log burner's lit in the evening. I will just have to remind everyone to keep him out of the bedrooms,but hopefully they will!

Sorry typos. Meant he's allowed in the lounge.

One of my cats started spraying against my bamboo bed head through onto the wall. I had found difficulty locating the smell until I used a UV torch then was able to see it had all dripped down the wall behind the bed to the floor. I was horrified! I re-instated the Feliway, placed an extra litter tray next to the bed and still barricade the head of the bed during the day. However, one night after all seemed to be well, she weed above my pillow while I was in bed! It is amazing what we will tolerate from our pets isn't it? I then gave her Zylkene calming capsules emptied onto her food. I think being vigilant is the only answer, but a real pain.
For cleaning up I use Urine Off solution, bought on line, which does the trick with urine, not sure about faeces but would probably work. It is also supposed to deter cats from re-offending.
I hope your current strategy is successful, good luck!

Have you tried using a different brand of cat litter? Our last female cat refused to use the pink coloured litter because when wet it stained her pretty white paws PINK!
She was greatly relieved (no pun intended) when we went back to grey litter.

My cat used a litter tray as a small kitten but i inched it closer to door and had flap installed and he has used it ever since. After neutering he spent most of time inside in winter and in and out in the summer. Now he is old he sleeps most of time in kitchen in basket with under floor heating on.

I saw on a cat re-homing site that one of their cats has to have 2 litter trays at night, so he can use a clean one each time. We are currently looking after a friend's cat and I'm having to sweep us a lot of litter - our own cat had a litter tray which was enclosed, so made much less mess..

I think old cats and dogs suffer from dementia just like us.

Hi Washerwoman we have a house cat, a sphynx. At one time we had 5 4 sphynx and a tabby.

A couple of years ago I had problems with my current cat's litter mate, he was doing the same thing. It turned out that he was poorly but I was given some useful tips, some of which have already been mentioned; plug in Feliway, keeping the litter tray clean and using a spray which takes away the scent of a previous accident so discouraging a return visit.

Another interesting one was placing a bath mat, upside down so the 'suckers' are facing upward to a spot where the cat returns too. They don't like the feel of it so stay away.

Hope things settle down.