Serious problem - cat is not using the litter box

I've really search high and low for a solution, so I'm wondering if any of you might have some insight.

Almost a year ago, we adopted a 12 year old cat from the animal control center in NYC (a.k.a. the most depressing place on earth). DH and I were convinced that no one else would adopt him and he seemed like a really great cat. Plus, he's super cute (see my avatar).

Anyway, he had a bunch of health problems when he came home but nothing fatal. After about a month of him living at the vet or the animal hospital, he came home. He would use the litterbox sporadically - either he would do his business inside the litterbox or just outside the box on the floor.

Our vet told us that he might be adjusting to his new home and our other cats. Months went by with no real change. We took him to a cat behaviorist ($300 an hour BTW ). No luck.

We have three litterboxes for the cats, but he only uses one of them. So, now we clean that litterbox twice a day. He seems to go in the box more when it's clean, but it's really a crap shoot (no pun intended). If we see him about to go on the floor and we yell at him, he goes in the box. So, obviously, he knows it's wrong.

I just don't know what to do anymore and I feel like we've tried everything. Don't even get me started on the litter box experiment that the behaviorist had us do - we had 6 boxes in our foyer to figure out which litter he prefers. I would never get rid of him because I think a committment to an animal is for life, but I wonder if he needs to be an only cat? Should I try putting wee-wee pads outside the box so at least he isn't going on the wood floor?

As for why he was given up, we were told that it was because the owner's wife passed away and she was the one who took care of him. There was no mention of litter box issues.

Sorry this is so long, but any suggestions would be helpful

ETA: Yesterday, he did a #2 on my dining room rug for no reason. I really don't know what I'll do if this problem gets worse. At least he was confining it to one area before

Message edited 6/4/2007 6:28:25 PM.

Re: Serious problem - cat is not using the litter box

Just to rule out any medical problems, would you take him for a second opinion? If you do.... wait you got fm girl.

Re: Serious problem - cat is not using the litter box

Re: Serious problem - cat is not using the litter box

I give you so much credit for adopting an older cat.

Both of my cats started pooping outside the box as they got older. I think they started getting confused and couldn't make it to the box in time. One of them had small stones in her bladder that had to be removed. after that - she was fine.

Good Luck.

Re: Serious problem - cat is not using the litter box

One of mine occasionally pees in the bathroom sink, sometimes she misses the box and goes on the floor - poo & wee. She did have some issues (peeing on Dh's slippers when he worked long hours) and the vet prescribed busparone (sp?) which he gave me as a transdermal cream - you can't get a pill down her without full body armour. She did stop peeing on the slippers and only occasionally goes in the sink now. My vet said that sometimes cats do pee out of spite or because they are pizzed off with you. Anyway I'm rambling on, ask your vet if maybe a kitty prozac might help? Good luck

Re: Serious problem - cat is not using the litter box

Re: Serious problem - cat is not using the litter box

Maybe it's arthritis and the cat is having difficulty getting into the litter box? Just an idea. Is he still jumping on furniture, beds, etc how it used to?

Re: Serious problem - cat is not using the litter box