Expert: Becky - 5/10/2004

Question
My cat is a 6-yr.-old North American shorthair--loving, trusting, friendly, good with children and our other cat, not to mention beautiful.  We bought him, our first and only purebred, from a breeder.  Her cattery, the basement of her split level house, was very smelly.  In fact, so was her house.  As soon as we brought our kitten home, he immediately marked our house in almost every corner available.  Once he was fixed, this behavior persisted.  Our vet rechecked him and said yes, the surgery worked, that there are just some cats like this.  We have tried everything to correct the behavior except frightening or punishing the cat.  We have bought many deterrant products, used calming sprays that come out of a steamer, spayed recommended unappealing perfumes, and once kept the cat in a separate room with litter and food for a week to attach him more to the litter pan.  By the way, he does use the litter pan and does groom himself well.  We also have barracaded all doorways and edges of rooms with box lids, but he gets around them.  At this point we are desperate and want to avoid putting the cat to sleep; we can't easily place him in anyone else's home, and he can't go outside on a farm, for example because he's declawed and too trusting.  Do you have any extraordinarily good news for us that will allow us to keep our sweet cat with us?  Thank you so much for your time.


Answer
Carol,

I really admire you for trying so hard!  This is indeed a very frustrating situation and the main reason why I prefer female cats and dogs.  I have a friend who had the same problem with his male Cornish Rex and he did change his habits!   First, when he was not at home, he put the cat litter box , food and water in an enclosed room such as a bathroom.  Then,  he cleaned his carpet and all areas extremely well with special pet products that are for urine removal.  I don't think the brand matters.  Then.... the trick he said.was he put aluminum foil on and around any area that his cat urinated and/or sprayed.  For some reason, cats don't like it.  When he was home, he would let him out, and keep a close eye on him.  If he ever went near any of his favorite places....he would yell at him or spray him with water  It worked for him!!  I hope this works for you !!  
Good Luck!  and God Bless,
Becky