Yes!

Oops, I asked two different questions.

Let me keep it consistent: is cat pee outside the litter box inevitable?

I've never noticed any of our cats peeing outside the box. Defecating, yes, but only when they're ill. Over the years, we've introduced new homes to critters & new critters to each other, but never had kids in the equation. The kitties usually inspect their new surroundings pretty thoroughly -- sometimes giving certain spots that open-mouthed sneer -- but I've never had trouble with them urinating or marking. I'm not a carpet person, though, so can't really comment there. My MO when moving to a place with carpet has been to rip it out & replace it w/ tile or laminate flooring.

My cats have never peed outside the box. I would find an enzymatic cleaner specifically geared towards animal pee and clean up the entire house. Good luck.

Even a cat who has never peed outside the box may get sick and break his/her perfect record. I think you have to accept that possibility if you want a cat. Otherwise, don't get one. I would say, yes it is inevitable, at least once in the cat's 15-20 year lifespan.

Why get another cat if the first 2 didn't work out?????????????????

Yes, I have had several cats who didn't pee outside the box for their whole lives, but there are no guarantees.

I must agree with those who warn you against getting another cat.

You've got three kids to take care of without having to worry about possible problems with your carpets, not to mention your drapes, keeping a litter box clean and making sure the cat gets whatever attention it needs on top of everything else.

Sure, your kids want a cat, but how would they feel if you ended up having to give it away later because it was damaging the decor like the ones you had before?

BTW, puppies require even more attention and are guaranteed to pee and poop everywhere until they are trained.

The most trouble-free pet I've had has been a guinea pig which was a classroom pet for four-year olds. She had a nice, big cage and we changed the Care-Fresh recycled paper litter every couple of days.

The enzyme cleaner is a good idea for the areas where your children have had potty accidents, whether or not you get another pet.

I had a cat that lived to be almost 18, and in her last 6 months or so, she did pee in the wrong places at times, but of the 15 cats I have had so far, none in good health ever peed outside the box even at the time they entered the house as tiny kittens--with one exception. A very intelligent young male cat, who was annoyed at being left alone when we stayed with a friend for the night (having left him ample food and water, of course), pulled a cushion into the middle of the floor, made it sopping wet, and left a little "mountain" on it for emphasis. We got rid of the cushion and got him a kitten companion and he never misbehaved again. He was just lonely. Cats will pee in the wrong place when upset, and others have given wise advice here about using enzyme cleaners to remove the scent. You don't want the cat to think "This must be where I'm supposed to do it."

I have never had a male cat due to this, but, i took in a feral female that would pee anywhere except the litterbox. I went to Petsmart and they had some stuff called CAT ATTRACT, i bought some and sprinkle it in with my ordinary litter and have not had a problem with her since. Maybe something to try.
~PhoenixRain~

Cats are a real trip but with three young children I would really think real hard before bringing one. We just got adopted by a young cat and she is really taking up a lot of time with her needs, but I don't have small children. We did have cats after the children were old enough to take care of them and they did everything, incluidng training, feeding, and box cleanups. (Note: I think this kitten was raised with small children and dumped because she gets overly affectionate and gently bites but holds your hand with her paws, front and back, and claws are really sharp, probably hurt the children. It loves to play hide and seek and likes to get caught to clomp on your hand. See my posted question.) After kids were gone I got a tiny kitten that really bonded with me. My husband was gone on business a lot and once he was gone a month, and the cat became accustomed to sitting occasionally in his chair. The day after my husband got home, he was watching TV and he hollered at me that the cat was peeing on his leg. When I came in he just calmly walked out of the room and disappeared for a few hours (the cat, that is).

I have been wondering the same thing as the OP. I grew up with a cat, indoor/outdoor neutered male, lived to be 19 and never peed except in litterbox or outside.

Moved in with my now husband who had a 10 year old neutered male. The cat peed on my clothes, shoes, patio furniture in the basement, etc... Strange after 10 years of never doing it.

My sister had two spayed females. The one was a chronic house-pee-er. Ruined thousands of dollars worth of carpet in three different houses. She finally had her put down at age 10 because she just couldn't take it anymore.

I asked a vet recently who is more likely to spray (fixed male or female) and he responded male. But my sister and others have had this issue with females.

"Moved in with my now husband who had a 10 year old neutered male. The cat peed on my clothes, shoes, patio furniture in the basement, etc... Strange after 10 years of never doing it."

When moving in with an established cat, one must be clear on the fact that the cat is the supreme ruler of the home. Otherwise, one risks being "instructed". When my dh and I combined households, he had the Best Cat in the World. I made sure TC (The Cat) knew I understood that. We were best buddies very quickly. Aren't cats fun?! :-Z

I am much more of a cat person than a dog person. So, when we brought our cute little kitten home, we all loved him especially my one daughter. Well, then the honeymoon ended and he started peeing everywhere. He had been with us for about a year at that time. We tried everything and nothing worked. The crazy thing was that he hardly used the litter box but always asked to go outside to go to the bathroom.
MY DH finally got fed up with it and we sent the cat to live with his mother. She is also a cat lover and didn't want to get rid of him after he started peeing at her house (this I attributed to their being cats/cat pee in the house). We found the cat a new home and hopefully he's not peeing there. Our DD (who is now almost 7) and it's been over a year and a half since we got rid of the cat, still misses him and wants another cat. I've toldh er that if I could guarantee that the cat wouldn't start peeing in closets, I'd get one, but since we can't do that, I've told her no is the answer for now. It kills me to see how bummed out she is over the departure of her cat, but I also know I can't risk going through that again. From the posts here, it looks like cats more often don't pee than do...that's at least a little encouraging.

Ive had 10 cats, and the only cat I've ever had in my house that has pee'd indoors, was my roommates. It wasn't a new habit either, he'd always done it.

As for a cat marking where the kids have had accidents, I don't think you'll have to worry. After having one cat piddle on my carpet, and FOUR puppies being housetrained in this house...neither of my two cats, or even the cat that did pee in the house...pee'd on the spots of other accidents. I did try to clean it up as best as I can. But when you've had 5 things peeing on your carpet, it's hard to catch them all, and the stains are showing now. Thank god we're renovating! And I'd be willing to be I've had a kid or two piddle on my carpet too. I baby sat a lot, and so did my parents before I owned the house. Im sure at some point someone had an accident on the carpet.

We have 2 cats, male and female. The male was the 2nd arrival. Our female used the box all the time before he came and for a while afterwards, but then started to piddle outside the box, near it, but not in it. We finally resolved it by putting an empty box out for her, which the male doesn't use. We figured she just doesn't like to share with him.
There is no guarantee you won't have a problem. Maybe getting an adult cat is a safer bet for you, but make sure you're ready for the commitment. Personally, I think dogs are easier, but others feel cats are easier.

I have three boys - 2 are 7 and the other is 4. None of them have gone outside the box. Can't say it won't ever happen, but it hasn't yet. We scoop the boxes every morning, and replace the litter once a week. We have three boxes.