First off, congratulations on your new kitten. It is great that your two cats have hit it off so well!!

On to the issue.....first thing, punishment for this behavior doesn't really work. The best thing to do, is to go thru some checks. When this is happening, is anything else unusual going on? Is the litter box dirty? How many boxes are there? Most everyone recommends 1 litter box per cat, plus one. Are you using a scented kitty litter? Some cats find the scents a bit too much for them. Are you using clumping or clay? Some prefer one over the other. Are the boxes hooded? Many cats don't like using covered boxes, as they can't keep an eye on "incoming dangers". Litter box location-are the boxes located conveniently, in a consistently quiet area which allows a good range of vision while it is being used?

Once you have checked that list and ruled out a medical cause (you have already had him to the vet about it, GREAT job!), you need to go about cleaning the soiled areas properly. Normal laundry detergent or stain remover simply doesn't do it, you need an enzyme remover to break down the enzymes that the urine leaves behind, otherwise they are likely to repeat to areas that have been used before. Natures Miracle is one, but there are many others available, check your local pet supply store. If anything stressful is happening when these accidents are occuring, try and minimize the stress. Some cats don't feel safe when the house stimuli is increased, so say you are entertaining friends, he may not wish to use the box. If the box is near the laundry, and you are doing laundry, he may be afraid of the noises the machine makes, thus not wanting to use that box while the machines are in use. Also, don't scruff him and rub his nose in the urine, it doesn't work. Pick him up gently and place him in his box, then clean up the mess. Cats don't associate the message of "don't do that here" very well, and if you reprimand him he may just find other places, or develop a fear of your hands and bite. I am including a link below that has TONS of info on litterbox issues, along with a help line that you can call if need be. Good luck, he is a young fellow and by no means, should this be an irreversible behavior at this point.
Good luck!!
Terri
Cats International


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Mia Liger Fluffy Banzai Smudge Hazy
& Midas ~ Golden Retriever and honorary cat

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