I have two cats (1 female, 1 male) approx. 9 months old. Lately my house smells of cat. Until now, you couldn't tell I had cats in the house. What could be the cause of the smell. I recently bought an enclosed litter box... so the male wouldn't spray over the side. I haven't noticed him urinating anywhere else... I realize this could be a possibility... but it seems strongest around the little box. Could it be I shouldn't use an enclosed box? Could it be our female is pregnant and thus her feces/urine smells stronger? Please help... all the amount of cleaning the litter box and home isn't helping.

Is your male neutered? Un-neutered male cat urine is extremely strong smelling, and only neutering him will change it.

Not at the moment, but we plan to have him neutered within the next week. Thank you for your reply :D

If the female is pregnant, how did she get that way? You may have waited too long for neutering.

Many cats don't like covered litter boxes. The cat inside feels too vulnerable, trapped, with no place to run to if he feels threatened.

Like Sariss said, if your male isn't neutered (and is the father of the female's kittens?), he could be spraying all over the house.

Please get both cats neutered!!

There is litter specifically for multi-cat's.

If you don't want to go out and get that, clean the litter more often, get another box (cats don't like sharing), sprinkle baking soda in the litter, and get them spayed and neutered!

They seem to like the covered litter box just fine, so I don't think that's it. We're not even sure she is pregnant as she isn't showing any signs of being that... she's on the way to the vet on Monday.. as is the male cat.

I use the multi-cat Fresh Step litter. And I clean it every two days usually but lately every day. The cats are in the same room with us at all times: as it's our main living area and the litter box is located around the corner by the bathroom. All other doors to the house are kept closed. I have added water to the cat food: per a suggestion by another cat owner on this website... because they said our male cat might not be getting enough water thus making his urine strong. Been a couple days: still waiting to see if that makes a difference. I will also try the baking soda and they are most definitely getting spayed and neutered. Originally we were told to wait until they were a year old: guess we were misinformed by the (mother) cat owner. Either way, it shall be done this week.

A male usually reaches maturity by nine months and can begin spraying around that time. The female can get pregnant around that time too. That's why the Trap-Neuter-Return volunteers trap and neuter outdoor ferals/strays as young as two months, just to get the job done, in case they don't see that cat ever again. The TNR people want to cut the kitten population (i.e. the homeless cat population) down to zero.

There is a breeder around here who spays/neuters her cats as soon as they reach two pounds...

The general rule of thumb is to get them fixed at the age of six months as this is the age the females start going into heat and the males start to spray, since they are nine months old I think it would be safe to guess the female is pregnant and the male is the father unless you have other unfixed cats in the house, if she is pregnant the male will spray more, in places you wouldn't even think of, even the sides of the litter box or the walls around it, the sides and backs of furniture pretty much anything he can back into, it she isn't pregnant get them fixed asap and the spraying will stop, some males still will back up to things but usually nothing comes out mind you I have seen fixed males spray but much less odour than pre fixed, if the female is pregnant you will need to make the choice to abort which some vets will do and then do the spaying at the same time or to have the babies and then fix mom but the male needs to be done soon for your sanity, baking soda litter i.e. arm and hammer multi cat is also very effective by far the best litter I have ever used and I think I have tried them all. If you can't afford to spay and neuter there are organizations that can help ask your vet or local animal shelter if there is anyone in your area if you need help with that aspect of things, best of luck

We had the male fixed and he has stopped spraying. I found the two spots he was going to and cleaned it up so no more smell. Thank heavens. As for the female-yep she is pregnant, but no worries as we have a line of people ready to adopt them. We live in a pet loving community and that's great. But one litter will be plenty, so as soon as they are born: mom will be fixed. We could never abort them :(. Thanks so much for the advice. I think it's great that people care enough to respond and help another out.