Could have been other cats there that peed in the basement - basements seem to be a common place where cats pee and maybe because people forget to clean out the box, the cat goes outside the box. Then your cat comes along and thinks, with good reason, that that's where to pee. Some pet supply places have ultraviolet urine detectors you can borrow - if not just go ahead and get an ensyme based pet odor neutralizer product.

Thanks, I may do just that. For now going to try having her in a different spot at night so that the association of that room with bathroom is broken.

Does the basement have windows? There may be other cats, or animals, coming by at night and she could feel scared or threatened. You could also try leaving some lights on, and maybe even a radio or tv on low, while she's down there by herself.

There are windows but I don't think any other animals. I've left lights on but no impact. Good idea with radio. Frankly, I think she's just pissed off at being left down there )). Now if she'd only stop making noise at 4-5 am, we could compromise.

Only other suggestion I can think of, if you're not already doing it, is to leave some food out so she can snack during the night/early morning.

Thanks. I don't think it's a food thing in general, but maybe will cut down the howling in early morning (her usual sleeping place in city does have food bowl near to hand).

So, have you gotten the ultraviolet yet to check for old pee stains? If a cat is well mannered in one place but not in another the obvious question is what's different. Basically its a mater of testing theories until you find the answer. Also - Feliway plug in -for general uneasiness about a new place. Again if other cats were there they would have been rubbing up against things and leaving their scent. The Feliway works by mimicking a "happy cat" pheremone- cats are way more scent-oriented than are people. Best of luck to u!

Thanks, that gives me some more ideas. I think it is likely that the stress of being in basement is part of it. Right now, it's been working to keep the cat in the part-basement hallway, but will be there for a few weeks over Christmas and hoping that combination of these ideas will get us bank on the right track. Other than night-time, cat remains well behaved and loving...

How about adding a heating pad for kitty to snuggle up with? Might get her to sleep a bit more.

The basement is warm and she has a nice wee furry box that she likes sleeping in, and that we've had for ages (so it's not a total change).

Feliway diffusers and Dr elseys cat attract (litter additive) are great. But more importantly, have her checked for a UTI. My cat started going outside of the box on occasion and over time it got worse and worse. I mentioned it to someone and they told me to take my cat to the vet. I was horrified to find out my cat was a couple of days from dying from a severe urinary tract infection. I just thought he was misbehaving. I learned cats don't show pain and all they know is it hurts to go in the box, so they keep trying other places. Hopefully your cat is perfectly healthy, but UTIs are the first thing to rule out

Thanks, will keep in mind the UTI issue - so far only at this one place. And for the moment, problem seems solved - her sleeping box moved and she is now enclosed in the stairway/part of hall in basement for nights. Even though less space, she seems to prefer it - even heads down there during the day to sleep when she wants to be left alone. And no incidents since this change-up. Only disadvantage (for me) is that when she does get to howling, she's closer and louder and the sound carries; that said, she is making less noise over all. I am left with the conclusion that she just didn't like being further back/'deeper' in basement and was acting out.