Well, I recall once my big tabby was terrified of a new kitten - he was reacting as though I'd brought a rhinoceros into the house - it was very funny to see, actually. Debra - Tristan, when he first came looked very sad, and slept a lot. I guess he had come very far to find us - but, he had never been seen in the neighborhood before - he just appeared on the back porch one night - very odd. Now, he is full of vim and vigor, sometimes a little too much so, especially at 3:00 a.m. - he has a penchant for knocking things off surfaces - naughty boy! Last night it was a ceramic vase, which amazingly didn't shatter. He is like a reincarnation of our departed Smudge, who had been similarly precocious, and we had to secure all manner of items to surfaces, or simply put breakable things away in cupboards. Mr Poole gives him a swipe now and again just let him know who's boss, but other than that, they all get along in my multi-cat household :)

HIWTHI, the calming collars are one product in a line of products from Feliway. Feliway also produces plug-in versions (like a Glade plug-in) that you plug in to an electrical outlet. There is a vial of an aromatherapy oil that sits in the plug-in unit and it releases a pheremone that calms the cats into the air. I have never used the calming collar for the same reason you say -- worries about how cats react to the smell. Also, I don't like the idea of putting something on the cat for some reason. People have had too many cats get sick from flea collars (and by the way, they are not really safe for cats but flea treatment is another whole problem). I have always used the plug in in the room where the cat is spending most of his or her time. In the case of a peeing cat, as I've said before, I kept mine in a small area until she felt more secure, so I put the Feliway in that area. The least expensive versions of it are on Amazon. My local pet store charged almost double. Also, once you buy the plug in part you only have to replace the oil every 4 - 6 weeks. I think there are other Feliway products besides the collar and the plug-in unit and the spray (which some people have had luck with). If you read the reviews on Amazon you can learn more.

I know you have a lot of suggestions on this problem. Ive read the three most common reasons why cats STOP using the litter box are illness, stress, and unsprayed females will mark territory almost like males. If she is spayed and you are 100% sure she is not ill or uncomfortable, it must be stress. Experts write volumes and conduct tests on cat stressÂthey are very prone to it. A sudden nose, loud TV, accidentally stepping on a cat foot, a scolding from owners for an unrelated reason, a dog or other cat Oddly almost any reason can cause a cat to associate stress with the litter box. They suggest litter box location is very important. Some cats want several escape routes from an litter box area. Never scold, hit or throw water on a catÂit can backfire. Cover critical things like furniture, carpets and beds with plastic or aluminum (visqueen, paper grocery sacks, aluminum foil). This is temporary. Cats will avoid areas covered in these materials and save you the stress of buying a new mattress or carpet. Try one of those new pheromone plug-ins. Spend a lot of time holding, petting, playing with the cat just in case you are the one stressing her. Experts suggest your own stress can transmit to the cat and frighten her. Obviously keep her out of the bedroom for the time being. Do not leave clothes, towels, pillows on the floor. Google cats, litter box, problems, etc. and read some thought and remedies from others.

I just want to get this straight because I'm all confused now. The way I understand his urine issues is that he pees in the litter box sometimes, but not all the time. When he is peeing outside of the box, he squats just like normal. So my questions are: Is the "sandbox" the same thing as a litterbox and is it outside or inside? How long has he been urinating outside the litterbox? When was he checked out for a urinary problem? What were the results of the urinalysis? What other tests were done to rule out physical problems in relation to urinating? Just because he is not spraying doesn't mean that it isn't a testosterone-related problem. Different cats mark territory in different ways. Some spray, some pee, some poop, some just rub themselves all over everything within reach. The only problem is that even if this is a testosterone-related issue, the behavior may be already ingrained and may not correct itself even after he is neutered becaue he's been doing it so long. If that's the case, you'll need to start a behavior modification program to get him to stop doing this. But you won't know what's going to happen until about 6 weeks after he's neutered. About the crying: Cats are basically nocturnal animals, so he may be crying at night because he's just not adapted to a dinural schedule. Certain breeds of cats just make a lot of noise, so if he is mixed with Siamese or some other loudmouth, they may just be his personality. There could also be a stray/outdoor cat or other animal coming near the house that he sees or hears and he's talking to it. I don't know if he can see/hear outdoors or not, but if so that is a possibility. If he doesn't seem painful or in distress, then at least he's comfortable. Although I understand that would be really annoying to listen to.