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[imported_johnnydewParticipant]

OK. My girlfriend has had this cat since a kitten. He is now around 14 y/o. We also have a 4 y/o female (had since a kitten)and they get along great.
We have had LOTSA changes over the past year. We moved into a new house Feb 2008. The two cats adjusted very well.
This past May2008 we got two more female kittens. Still everything seemed to be fine, but we found that cat was peeing next to the litter boxes in the laundry room.
This past Christmas a friend needed us to cat sit their male cat, which is the brother of the the other 2 kitten we got in May. Well, he hasn't left.
I made some changes to compensate for all the cats and moved the litter boxes to the basement. As far as I know, 4 of the 5 cats are using them. Since the move, We have a cat peeing and crapping in the dining room. We're pretty sure it's the older male. We even put a litter box and food and water in our master bathroom for the older male, but the other cats are using it as well.
I've shampoo the carpets and treated them with a really good cat deterrent which lasted for 2 days then it started up again.
I'm not sure what to do next. I've read some of the forums and I should get the older male to the vet for a checkup. Any advice. 
Would anyone like to adopt 3 of my 5 cats? ::)

[imported_refuge821Participant]

There's a gal here in our county that's amazing with animal behavior issues.  She has a weekly column in our county newspaper and she's REALLY good.  She's got some info online at her website on this specific issue … and she also does telephone consultations. 

http://www.centerhillschool.com/behaviorissues.html

[imported_RobinSParticipant]

can you put a cat box back in the area where the cats were used to going?  Also, might be worth having the old kitty checked to make sure there isn't any underlying urinary problems.

[imported_tiggershadowParticipant]

I'm not a veterinarian, but have unfortunately have experienced this situation before–it's so frustrating to the cat (who's clearly trying to send a message,) and the owner (who certainly wants to do the best they can with their companion animals!)  There's so many factors to consider with this type of problem, and I didn't see any mention of the male cat being neutered or declawed, so please get a vet to address any medical issues first.  The vet should have some great suggestions, as this happens frequently with cats.  Once the physical aspect is ruled out, you can try adding litter boxes, as I've had good success having one more litter box than number of cats, and putting them in different living areas.  You might try using different litter (sand, paper, pellets, clay, scoopable crystals, etc.) in each box, as there might be a traumatic incident that occurred in the past that causes the offending cat to associate a place or type of litter with the trauma.  If you identifiy a particular offender and there isn't an obvious reason for the inappropriate elimination, you can try cleaning the area really well with an enzyme treatment to eliminate any trace of the soiling, then put food there–cats don't usually like to eat near where they eliminate.  If you aren't able to be there to monitor the cat's movements, you might have to isolate the cat for a time in a small room with not a lot of space to do their business where they shoudn't–it should allow room for a comfy place to rest, food, water, and a litter box–this isn't a punishment, and shouldn't feel like it to you or the cat, it's just an effort to retrain a cat to use the litter box appropriately.  You still need to give attention and playtime to the cat and let the cat out to socialize when able to, also give lots of praise when they start using proper litterbox habits again and hopefully the cat can be reincorporated into the colony. 

Again, I don't have medical background, but I hope one of these ideas helps you and your bunch.  Thank you (on behalf of Mr. Cat, too!) for being patient with kitty!

P.S.  A thought for the future, gradually switching food to a brand that helps maintain cats' urinary health might help avoid a reoccurrence, as it minimizes crystals building up in their system.

[imported_TeroParticipant]

I 100% concur with Tiggershadow a 14 year old kitty is an elderly kitty. Kidney issues are one of the top problems that they come up with. My first question would be is he drinking lots of water?
If a cat, has not been through major changes and starts going outside of the litter box and has never done this before, he is trying to tell you something. Please get your kitty to a vet, you might still have several wonderful years left with him if you can get what is wrong with him fixed now.
Best of luck to you and your kitty. ;)

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