New adult male cat urinating around the house

by Stacey
(Grand Prairie, TX, USA)

How do I stop a new adult male cat from urinating around the house? I am a cat person and have two cats of my own, a 10-year-old medium hair tuxedo female, and a 5-year-old medium hair male calico. They are spayed and neutered, get along fine, and are well trained.

I recently befriended a stray cat, a male tabby that looks to be about 3 years old. He started off taking shelter in my garage from the weather and was very skinny.

I began feeding him and talking to him, eventually able to pet, scratch and pick him up. He now comes in the house to eat, lounge and leave. My two cats watched closely but did not act out.

I didn't know if he would stay around, but he has. He is not neutered and I have finally decided to take him in, have him neutered, and micro-chipped.

THE PROBLEM: I have seen my new addition use the litter box, so I know he knows it's there and what to do. But more often, he urinates large amounts of urine on my clothes, furniture and rugs. Not spraying - urinating - a bladder full.

I really do want to adopt this cat and take him in and off the street. He has a great temperament and I believe, in time, will eventually blend in with my other two cats.

I am remodeling my home and about to buy new furniture. I won't be able to keep him with his current behavior. I don't know what to do.

Once I unintentionally raised my voice before I could catch myself in response to finding urine - he ran out and stayed gone for 3 days.

He is a sweet sweet cat, but I can't keep him like this. PLEASE HELP!! ANY advice you can give would be greatly appreciated!!!! Thank you for your time.

My thoughts: I'm sorry to hear your new kitty is having trouble. Thanks for taking him in!

I would recommend confinement retraining for any new cat coming into the home. Per the ASPCA and other cat advocate organizations and groups, this is the recommended way to bring a cat into the house. It also helps make for smoother cat-to-cat introductions.

Confining him will help you monitor his litter box usage, reduce problems caused by the presence of your other cats, and keep any accidents in a confined space.

For cats that have been outside, sometimes a little dirt or grass in the litter box can help attract them, or you can try Dr. Elsey's Precious Cat Ultra Litter Attractant, and Feliway to calm him.

Keep in mind that urinary tract problems (FLUTD) or other ailments may cause cats to urinate outside the litter box, so until he's vet checked that is a possible, but unknown factor.

Please keep us updated on his progress.
-Kurt