Hi everyone,

Our four month old Bengal boy was using the litter box reliably until he had an episode of diarrhoea and went on the carpet (the vet suspected likely due to either the vaccine or worming tablet he had that morning). We cleaned the area up with an enzyme cleaner and covered it up with aluminium foil but he has started to urinate both around the area and on the foil we layed. Unfortunately the only way to keep him out of this area of the house is to keep him in his bathroom due to the layout. I'm at home now but in a fortnight will return to work and will not be able to supervise him during the day when he's out of his room.

As I'm sure you can understand this is becoming quite stressful for both us and the cat. Any advice or ideas as to how we can get on top of this problem would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

I've kind of had a similar problem!

When I bought daisy home she had diahorrea and was going out of the litter tray, a lot! It involved a lot of cleaning and a lot of cardboard being laid on the floor. I also went out and put even more trays around the house.

I didn't lock her up because of it, I learnt her routine of using the tray and kept putting her in the tray when I thought she wanted to go, and she used it. Unfortunately tho I'm still having slight hiccups with her and not using the tray. Yeah I hate it, it's not great, I can't be mad at her tho! It just involves cleaning and reinforcing the tray again. Thing is she's so close to being spayed and coming into heat that my vets reckon that once she's spayed the very minimal hiccups we have with the tray will go completely.

I guess what I'm saying is you need to keep putting him in the tray and when he uses it reinforce it with praise and/or treats. I found laying cardboard on the areas that have been used was good. Just remember tho he is a baby and don't be mad at him for the accidents. Oh and also I used Feliway :)

I think I would want to investigate health first and foremost - has he been checked for a UTI at all

Thanks for the suggestions.

I have covered up the areas and got him a second tray with a different type of litter which he seems to enjoy having a good dig around in, so I feel that he may prefer this. I have also been praising him whenever I see him use either tray.

I will book him in for a visit to the vet tomorrow morning and will ask them about an infection, so hopefully discover if there is an underlying medical condition behind this change in behaviour.

He's a lovely boy so hopefully with a bit of TLC we can get on top of this problem.

Alu foil may not be the best choice.
Cats like to pee on surfaces that make noise, like foil, plastic or paper.

Rob