Any ideas re: cat peeing outside of litterbox

[MrsMatt]

Last September, we adopted a 7 year old neutered male cat. He's about 20 pounds (probably 3-4 pounds overweight, as he is a LARGE cat). We are unsure if he was in a home with other cats, but his personality profile indicated that he would adapt to just about anything. He seems to have bonded to our 12 year old daughter, likes me, but is indifferent to my husband and 4 year old son.

We also have two other cats, a 16 year old female (Nancy), about 7 pounds and a bit prissy, and a 6 year old neutered male (Stanley), 15 muscular pounds, and a big baby. Nancy hangs out upstairs, where Caesar ventures once in awhile, and Stanley, who used to sleep with my daughter, has allowed Caesar to take his place in my daughter's bed.
Introductions went smoothly, and he seemed to settle in. He doesn't interact much with the other cats, besides the occasional nose greeting.

However, his nickname has become "Mr. Peabody", due to his penchant for peeing outside the litter box. We first noticed it about two-three weeks after we got him. Occasionally defecating outside as well (in random areas of the basement ONLY). Peeing preferences being (in no particular order): scatter rugs, plastic bags, paper bags, book bags, or even just paper on the floor. When he defecates in the litter box, he doesn't bother to cover it - and it stinks to high heaven (and is not particularly firm, but the consistency is more like soft serve ice cream)

This is what we've done:
Feliway diffuser for the first month & a half
Five litter boxes (all in the basement, near each other)
Vet visit (course of antibiotics)
Litter change (to Precious Cat)
New litter box
Access to the outside without a harness (past week) but still not allowed to freely roam

Have not changed:
His food - he eats EVO dry

Any suggestions - We are about at wit's end, and Caesar is on thin ice in our household. If we can't come to a solution, we'll have to return him to the rescue group.

[japple]

1. Maybe you could try Cat Attract litter. Could be he doesn't

like whatever brand you're using. If you got him from a shelter, they probably used unscented clay litter, since it's cheaper than other kinds. Also, could you get him to eat a bit of yogurt to help increase the good bacteria in his bowel. Has he been tested/treated for internal parasites?

[MrsMatt]

2. Good idea about the yogurt - I hadn't even thought of that.

He was not tested for parasites as far as I know, but that is an avenue to explore.

Just switched to Precious Cat, which is a version of Cat Attract, but designed for senior & overweight cats.

Thank you!

[japple]

4. I just took my newest addition to the vet 2 weeks ago and she

tested positive for intestinal parasites, even though I've been using Revolution on her. Her poop was absolutely vile and since she was treated for the parasites, it's not so bad. If your kitty is only eating Evo dry, it shouldn't smell too bad. I've never heard of Precious Cat and, since none of my cats are having litterbox issues (at the moment) I just keep on buying Feline Pine.

Good luck coming up with a solution.

[ginnyinWI]

3. my first thought was FUS

Our cat did that when he had Feline Urinary Syndrome. But as you've had him to the vet that's probably not it.

Is the litter box big enough for him to feel comfortable in? Since he's a big kitty that might be a problem. The sides should not be too high and the litter should not be too deep. Some cats dislike the feeling of sinking into deep cat litter (help! quicksand!).

Is the box in a location that could possibly be scary to him? Like is it next to a loud furnace or washer-dryer so that he's not comfortable there?

As for not covering his poop, in my experience it's the male cats that tend to "forget" to cover it up. Just a "guy" thing!

To improve the consistency, I'd try adding some wet food to his diet. Too much bulk in all that dry food would make him "go" more often and in more quantity. Too much roughage.

My three cats eat mostly wet food and the poop is minimal compared to when they eat dry food (which is only when we have to leave them overnight). They digest wet food much more efficiently and their poop is small and well-formed.

[WillYourVoteBCounted]

5. dry food alone not good for male cats, give a can of moist

also, you might want to give him dried food for cats suffering from bladder crystals.

Urination problems like this are common in males and adding moist food to the diet can help.

Also, if you only have one cat, those electronic litter boxes are great.
These stay much cleaner and drier all of the time.

I had one, but with two large cats, couldn't keep the cannister emptied fast enough.

[roody]

6. My diabetic elderly male cat needed a GIANT litter box.

That solved a similar problem.