Thread: More issues with Merlin: Separation anxiety

I got a Feliway plug-in and used the rest of the Feliway spray I had from when we went through this with Sampson. Merlin has occasionally been pooping outside the box and yesterday I discovered a fresh puddle of pee in the laundry room. I cleaned that with enzyme cleaner and sprayed the Feliway.
The areas Merlin is marking are the same ones Sampson used to mark, so I think this is a turf war. They had a violent fight not too long ago, but things have been quiet since.
Merlin is your typical abused and neglected shelter cat. Despite this he is very sweet and affectionate, but he is not secure in his home yet. DH is planning to build some perches for the walls and windows, mainly for the girls but I think the extra vertical space will help everyone relax more.
I've been trying to spend more time with Merlin and encouraging the kids to play with him more. He woke me at 4:30 and 6am this morning as usual, but I made him wait until I got up at 8 for breakfast. He didnt seem hungry and barely touched his food, he just wants attention!
I've had success with Feliway in the past, but most of the success with Sampson's issues were solved by allowing him to be an indoor-outdoor cat. We are waiting until spring to let Merlin explore outside. I'm hesitant to do this because he is older and has no teeth to defend himself with, and he seems to get confused sometimes. But if it helps him feel more "in charge" of things then its a risk I'm willing to take.