So exasperated with our cat right now !

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.

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

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..

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.

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.

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!

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

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!

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

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.

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

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

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 !

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.

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.

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 !

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.

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.

Sorry typos from phone.

Thanks for the responses.A bit more info on him.Rehomed at 6 months 13 years ago.My 8th cat in my lifetime,often had two together but only one now.A while since last one died and he was the softest ,soppiest pudding whereas this boy is a cat that walks alone.Always has been.Not a cuddly cat.Loves his ears tickled but tickle anywhere else at your peril!Bluebelle my experience has been you can get a cat as a companion but its very much at their discretion,we think as a kitten he was either badly handled or teased as all but younger DD suffered scratches in the early days.Until we realised he hates being confined indoors unless it's his choice.Isn't evicted to hunt mice in summer.Rather fed top quality cat food and although takes up his 'summer residence' as we call it is always around ,but once April / May arrives is very sniffy about coming in other than to kitchen to eat if raining. Yesterday he'd only been in for about an hour.He declined offers to comensure in during the day.I often joke I should get a concierge jacket with epaulettes as I feel like his personal doorwoman !Doing his rounds of the cul de sac and sat on 'his' bench.Litter tray spotlessly clean with expensive litter I've always used.I clean it everything he uses it to poo,I'm fussy !Had his annual health check and boosters recently and declared fit and well.Sounds off but I think he's just a B awkward cat!I sound harsh,but I am very fond of the handsome beast.
The upshot is in colder months will be allowed into the conservatory or hall ,which have laminate flooring.Cosy bed and litter tray provided.I refuse to dot litter trays all over the place,but that's me I know some would.He can come into the lounge in the evening when we are both in and all doors to carpeted rooms closed.Out at night where he has a very snuggly bed in the summer house,and I'm going to put it in a large cardboard box on its side for extra draught protection.
Thanks for the soda bicarb tip.Just got a new box.Used up all my carpet cleaner last night but room still slightly pongy so will crawl back under with a solution of that.I was just so frustrated last night because for all the above reasons feel a big poop in the most inaccessible place was unnecessary but realistically that animals for you !

I use Vanish Carpet Care - it's the only thing I've found that removes stains. There is another product for urine which you use with a blue light to spot the marking and then once its cleaned you spray the solution on. This is good for areas where they've sprayed or hard areas. My girl isn't well at all today and I've had to clean the carpet in several places where she's been sick. Quite worried about her :-(

We use Simple Solution Urine Destroyer from the pet shop. It hasn't taken the colour out of our carpets though you need to check a small area first. It seems to remove all smells.

Try on a small patch of carpet first though!

Bicarbonate of soda dissolved in hot water is supposed to take the smell away.

Whilst we're on the subject of pet "accidents", does anyone have any good ideas or recommendations on how to remove the smells? I've sometimes come home from work to find a pile of poo in the corner of the carpet that has clearly been there for some time. Even once the mess has been cleared away and carpet scrubbed with carpet shampoo, the stains and lingering smells remain. Anyone found something that clears it?