cats have stopped using litter box

Question
I have 2 cats that are a year and half old. They still use the litter box for pooping. Several months ago we started smelling urine around the house. We have found urine all around the house. On the bed, carpet,closet,bathroom, and floor mats in bathroom.
The liter box is changed everyday in a half.We haven"t changed anything in the house or kitty litter.
I have heard several things it could be.The cats are not fixed but we are taking them in a couple of days but I have heard of other cats still urinating in the home.NEED HELP at potty home.  

Answer
Mikki,

For the last couple of months, breeding season has been hot and heavy, so, if these cats are not fixed, this is most probably the problem.

In addition, I am including a link to an excellent article on feline housesoiling:

http://www.netcat.org/housesoiling.html


A couple of things you might do. First ask your vet about putting them on hormone therapy (e.g. megace) to help take the urge to spray away once they are fixed.  The purpose of this is that is takes a few weeks for the male hormones to dissipate after neutering and this will help counteract any urges.

Secondly, clean up any areas where the cats have urinated with an enzyme based product specifically for pet stains and pet odors (available at most pet supermarkets or farm stores).  You might have to use quite a bit of this stuff since they have been going at it for quite some time.

You will have to do a thorough job of cleaning things up since if they smell the old urine after being neutered, they may go back to spraying over those spots.

As a preventative, you might put a Feliway (pheromone based substance) diffuser in the room where they have been most active.  In many cases this blunts the aggressive urge to mark territory, although nothing is guaranteed.

Remember, even if you do not smell it, your cats may, as they have better sniffers then we do!

Some other things to consider is that cats hate to spray against aluminum foil, so some people put this up to try to get them out of the habit.  You can certainly try that.

Good luck and best regards... Norm.