why won't my cat pee in the litter box?

Question

i have spent hours and hours over the past year and a half reading up on this issue and have spent just as much time trying every trick ive come across, but with no success.

so my cat, almost 2 has not been peeing in his litter box for a bit over a year now and im really not sure what to do anymore.

1. he does not have a UTI, or bladder infection, or any other health issue. (ive gotten urine tests and blood tests and even x-rays by two separate vets, all of which have come back negative).
2. i have 2 litter boxes throughout my (small) apartment, both of which i keep impeccably clean (scoop 2-3 times a day or right after he's used it).
3. i have tried about 10 different brands of litter -- from clumping to non-clumping, scented and non-scented - clay, woodchips, etc.
4. the litter boxes are not near his food or water bowls. and i have moved them around several times throughout the past year or so incase it was the location that was bothering him. (ive now run out of places in my apartment to try)
5. ive tried both hooded and non-hooded litter boxes.
6. he is neutered, and has been ever since he became sexually mature.
7. there are no other pets in the house. nor is there anyone else living here that may upset him.
8. i have not moved since i got him, nor have there been any significant changes in the household.
9. i work at home, and am therefore home alot, so i can't imagine he could be doing this out of loneliness.
10. it is absolutely, undoubtedly urine, not spraying or marking.
11. he uses the litter box to defecate without error.
12. i have two feliway plugs in the apartment, which i change every 3-4 weeks as directed.
13. i clean every and all areas that he pees in/on with Nature's Miracle several times over (an activity i do every single day). i have a blacklight(that works) to check for uncleaned spots.
14. he always pees on hard surfaces (either the floor or table tops, dressers, etc.) and never on beds or sofas or clothing.

he is an extremely mild tempered cat and very sweet and affectionate. he never seems nervous or skiddish or acts out in any way (no scratching, or hissing)

i have tried all the weird quirky tricks i have read about from putting tin foil in pee spots to sprinkling pepper.

i have even tried, on at least 5 occasions, to "retrain" him to use the litter (putting him in the bathroom with nothing but litter and food/water. this always works for the first few days, sometimes (at best) a couple weeks, but then starts the behavior again.

im at the end of my rope. and absolutely exhausted with all of this.
i love him like a child, and will NOT get rid of him if i cant fix it, but i just simply CANT give up on trying to find a solution.

any suggestions would be immensely helpful!

Answer 1

Have you tried to put the litter box where he pees on the floor? For example: lets say he pees in the corner, place the litter there and see what happens for about couple of days... Does he acknowledge the location of the litter box?

Is the location of the litter box accessible?

Sometimes cats can smell cleaning products on their plastic box. Litter box have the tendency to absorb the cleaning chemicals, even though we cant smell it, cats sense of smell is very kin.

If your using cleaning chemicals, try using hot soapy water with small drop of dish soap (ajax-anti-bacterial) add some baking soda and let it soak for ten minutes.. Then rinse and dry off with paper towels...

Then try small amount of fresh step clay litter, and put him in it. Take his paw and scratch the litter..

If he does go in the litter box, praise him with a treat and tell him "good boy"..

If he doesn't go in the litter box, then get paper towel wipe up the urine and place the paper towel in the litter box and show him where he needs to go pee... No treats!!

This may take a long time or short time..

Answer 2

Wow. In my humble opinion, you have done everything right. I don't think you left anything out, so I don't have any suggestions. But I wanted to respond anyway to wish you the best and tell you I feel for you. I find that your point number 14 is intriguing. My only recommendation is to talk to an animal psychologist -- maybe there's even one online you can submit this question to. Again, I think you've done so much -- and the right stuff. Good luck to you and your cat.

Answer 3

Maybe he doesnt like the clumpy litter, if u buy clumpy kind. My cat wont go if i buy the clumpy kind, if i do he just takes a **** or **** in the bathtub!!! Or, maybe hes not comfortable in the litter box!!!! Well hope i helped!!!!! :) Btw, if he pees on hard surfaces maybe leave him in the bathroom with the litter box, personally if my cat peed on my floor id smack his a55!!