I have an adult cat that first adopted us 7 years ago. I believe he had always been an outside cat as we used to see him as a kitten down the street. When he was about 1 1/2 years old, the family moved and left him behind and eventually he decided to call us home. It took a long time to get him to come inside the house. And it wasn't until about 3 years ago that we could get him to stay in overnight. We tried introducing him to a cat box to no avail. However he never used to releave himself in the house he would just meow at the door and we would let him out (obviously our mistake) Occasionally if he got left in the house by mistake during the day he would urinate on a kitchen rug (at least he was kind enough to do his business there instead of harder to clean areas). Now in the last several weeks (its been cold and a lot of rain) he does not attempt to wake us to go out. In fact, sometimes the door is open and he still goes to the kitchen rug. I want nothing more than to have him stay inside the house when ever he wants but this is really starting to be an issue. We have 2 other cats and I don't want it to create more problems. Should I try keeping him in a closed room with a box until he actally uses it? Any other suggestions?

You just answered your own question, yes, keep him in a room with his food, water and his own litterbox. He will eventually get the idea that is what he is supposed to do. There is really no other solution, because cats are just naturally self trained.

Tick

One issue you've got going is the smell on the kitchen rug. He thinks this is a fine place to go now. Have you attempted to clean it (with like Nature's Miracle)?

Something I've tried is putting the litter box near where the cat has gone, so they're still drawn to that area, but there's a box there to use. If that works, then I gradually move the box further, like in the doorway to the room, then right outside the door, etc. OK, I only tried this once when a cat was peeing in my living room and I was getting a new cat and was afraid he'd go in the same place. It worked the one time I tried it... the new cat just followed the box as I moved it.

I realize this is a bit different situation, so just throwing it out there...

One issue you've got going is the smell on the kitchen rug. He thinks this is a fine place to go now. Have you attempted to clean it (with like Nature's Miracle)?

Something I've tried is putting the litter box near where the cat has gone, so they're still drawn to that area, but there's a box there to use. If that works, then I gradually move the box further, like in the doorway to the room, then right outside the door, etc. OK, I only tried this once when a cat was peeing in my living room and I was getting a new cat and was afraid he'd go in the same place. It worked the one time I tried it... the new cat just followed the box as I moved it.

I realize this is a bit different situation, so just throwing it out there...

Thanks for the advise, still working on it. I did clean the rug with Natures Miracle and then the washing machine. I first attempted placing the box next to the rug to no avail, he simply went to another kitchen rug. Then I kept him in a room at night with me and a box and once I knew he was searching, put him in the box, he jumped out. I got back into bed and then he went on the floor right NEXT to the box. Since he usually does his business right after he eats in the morning, over the weekend I sat and waited until he was done eating and was heading to look for a rug. I picked him up and took him into a room where I put his box with the rug next to it. He went for the rug multiple times and each time I picked him up and put him in the box. Until finally he at least finished in the box. The next morning, same ritual, a lot less tries however, until he got in the box himself. But then this morning, he got up earlier than me and beat me to another kitchen rug before I was on duty. So I suppose this is telling me I simply need to keep him closed in with me and the box for the night. And continue the morning ritual until I am confident he is using the box and then slowly move it to where it will remain. I forsee a lot of sleepless nights as he really freaks out when he knows he is closed in a room, but I really don't see any other option.

You just answered your own question, yes, keep him in a room with his food, water and his own litterbox. He will eventually get the idea that is what he is supposed to do. There is really no other solution, because cats are just naturally self trained.

tick

Thanks for the advise. I will give it a shot.

You do have a bit of a pickle, don't you? Sounds like he needs to learn the box is the proper place.

Cat's don't get the idea that going outside a box is improper behavior. They tend to naturally take to a litter box, but certainly not cause we want them to or cause that's proper behavior. He might need some reinforcement that it's what you want, i.e. that it's proper behavior. So maybe some praise and such when it does it right. (And you might have to resort to negative associations for the rug.)

Okay I think I have a system started that's working. I put the box on the rug in the kitchen. It took some doing but I have been working with him, praising etc. and he is using it. Now I want to start moving it towards where it will ultimately be. How often and how far do you think I should move the box?

When I did this, I moved it probably several feet about every week. He's a bit stubborn about it (though I'm glad he's using it!), so you may have to move bits at a time and more slowly. Or maybe not. Once he's started using it, maybe he'll be good about it. Really, I don't think anyone else can tell you this - you'll just have to play it by ear. I know you don't want him going outside it again. But I'm also sure you want it out of your kitchen. ;)

Yeah that's what I figured. I'm going to take it real slow but you are right in that we do want it out of the kitchen that's for sure... Baby steps. Hey thanks for all your help!

If you keep it on the rug when you move it, he should be more willing to follow it. It's not a bad idea to keep a rug under the litter box, anyway. Removing other rugs from the kitchen should also discourage him from going elsewhere.

If he does go on another rug, or carpeted area, try spraying it with vinegar after washing it. Most cats don't like the smell and will avoid the area. You can also pour some vinegar in the washer with the rugs when you wash them.

You are reading my mind. :) I have it on the rug he was using and actually cut out a piece of it and put it in the box itself. And then I removed the other kitchen rugs. I figured I would put the other rugs back down once he was using the box for awhile and if for some reason he goes for a rug I was going to try to find a product I used before called Cat Off. Which is a smell they detest but I like the vinegar idea.;)

Thanks again, and I'll let you know if we make it out of the kitchen! :D

My mom tried the cat off stuff. She said it was expensive and didn't work with her cats.

It couldn't hurt, if you decide to try it. The worst thing would be that your cat ignores it.