Cat elimination problem when we are gone

Question:
 Hello: We have two well-trained, happy cats. However, trouble starts when we leave town for a weekend or longer. We either have a daily cat sitter(who the cats like), or a friend (who the cats love) stays at our house. One of our cats eliminates inappropriately and in various locations - e.g., my shoes, kitchen sink, at the front door. When our friend stays, he will purposely urinate or defecate in an inappropriate place right in front of her. This cat is very affectionate and loving when we are home, but he is a bit anxious overall. Also, the cats are allowed out during the day when we are home. When our friend stays, they are also allowed out, but not when the pet sitter is responsible. We feel helpless to do any re-training since the behavior occurs in our absence, and usually noone is here when it happens. Any ideas to correct this annoying problem? Thank you!
Answer:
 Hi. First off, your little guy sounds like he really misses you when you go! It may just be as simple as that, that he doesn't care for the fact that you disappear and that he can't find you. That would easily explain why he marks the territory, saying "This is mine, leave it alone until my human comes home." As per why he chooses to do it with your friend instead of the sitter, it could be just that. That he's trying to say he doesn't want a new human, he wants you back, and, when you come home, he's happy. The cat sitter sounds like it may just be someone coming in and out until you get back, so he's not too anxious about suddenly being given a new human. It could be just as simple as making him feel like you are the only human for him, and that you're not likely to suddenly leave him and a new human come in. It's basic cat psychology, that he's trying to claim that you are the only human he'll tolerate belonging to, even though your friend sounds like someone the cat would also tolerate. Here's something that might help to see if that is the problem. When your friend stays, does your little guy start doing this right away or on the next day? If that is the case, then simply asking your friend to, instead, go to their home each night may be very well the cure you're looking for. If not, then I'd ask your vet.
Answer:
 Hi: You can try leaving a worn but unwashed article of your clothing in a place the cat likes to sleep in while your gone; your scent will be calming and reassuring to him while you are away. You could also try a feline pheremone spray or diffuser (like Feliway) when you leave. It is synthetic cheek marking hormone which calms them to have around, plus cats don't usually eliminate in places that have the scent. I have a cat who started eliminating inappropriately, even in front of me. It turned out he had a bad case of roundworms, and after he was treated he never did it again, so that is something to consider as well. Some cats will just get ornery and behave badly when they have worms Also try giving him catnip frequently; after the initial "high" it usually mellows and relaxes them quite a bit. There are also natural calming/sedative products which perhaps could be given to him while you are gone to calm his "seperation anxiety". Hope the info helps, good luck!