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[scheherazade]

I had the same problem with my cat, but I couldn't make him an outdoor cat because his front paws had been declawed.  I tried (what seemed like) everything.  We closed up all laundry and drawers - he peed on the couch and chair.  We tried retraining him - repeatedly.  Nothing worked.  We were in a similar situation to you. rowan - our daughter was beginning to crawl, and it just wasn't sanitary for the kids.  After years of struggling with it, I had him put down (which broke my heart!).

Later I found out that antidepressants often work.  I wish I had known that then.  Prozac and a couple others are the ones.  Ask your vet about it if you want to try the indoor cat thing again.

[rizzy]

Has anyone tried the feline pheremone sprays (like Feliaway)? 

I did not find the Feliaway to be effective, and it made me gag.  Ick (the smell is almost as bad as the spraying).  The vet urged me to stick with it and I did, and boy what a pain in the neck, all for nothing.
The only thing that worked when the problem became really bad was to repaint the area with odor and stain removing paint and then to sort of cat-proof the area, spray it with vinegar and move the furniture around.
Oh yes they should offer doctorates in Cat Management.  To understand the reasons behind the spraying, you would really have to understand the cats in a deeply scientific kind of way.  I think that Obscure's solution to make the cat an outdoor cat will probably work better than anything else.

[mythbuster]

We have a female who sprays. In our old apartment it was really bad. She would stand on the TV stand and spray down the side of the TV. The bookcases were also targets. Not clothing though. With her, it was a territory issue. Lots of cats in the complex, some would even leap at the window where she was sitting. All spraying was near windows. Except for her vindictive peeing on my pillows (never hubby's)  whenever I'm gone for more than 3 days. She's a cat who's too smart for her own good. We tried Feliway, but it doesn't stick to the TV. No help.
  When we moved to a larger house things improved greatly. Fist, she had more room to get away from our other cat and that calmed her down. Second, fewer cats in the neighborhood. She still does it occasionally and always near a window that overlooks our deck. We figure there are still cats out there that come up on the deck and invade "her space". Closing the shades on these windows has helped.
   The reality is that cats do this for lots of reasons. I think a lot has to do with cat overcrowding. Some cats just want a lot of space and if there are too many other animals its how they respond. But each cat is different. If yours can adapt to the outside things will be ok.

[magimax]

I learned recently that Manx cats will frequently have issues with peeing/pooping outside of the box.  This was explained to me as being due to their messed up spines - Manx cats actually have a form of spina bifida that can also affect their elimination organs (bowel, rectum, bladder).  I still find them really neat, but that factoid has put a damper on me ever wanting one.

[sikora]

She's gone.  I can't find her outside anywhere.  Not what I intended.

occ

[infopri]

She's gone.  I can't find her outside anywhere.  Not what I intended.

occ

Don't panic yet, obscure.  Cats like to explore; she will probably be back, especially when she gets tired and/or hungry.  Keep checking outside for her.

[zarathustra]

She's gone.  I can't find her outside anywhere.  Not what I intended.

occ

She WILL come back!  She's either exploring or tormenting you by hiding silently under a bush watching you look for her.  Or both.

[wild_rose]

My friend's cat used to do this to her all the time.

Don't forget that they can be bribed with an open can of tuna. ;-)

[fishwish]

Obscure,
This may sound...no, it WILL sound totally ridiculous, but you may be able to lure your cat back to the porch (door, patio, what have you) with an article of clothing that you've worn. My cat accidentally escaped my apartment many years ago and neighbors kept spotting him around the area, but no one could catch him. A neighbor told me about a "cat woman" in Colorado who was really, really good at finding lost cats. The main trick she used was to hang a pair of worn underwear (a bit gross, but oh well) on the screen door of the cat's house. The underwear had to be from the human the cat most closely associated with. My cat was gone for a week. I did the underwear thing (and warned my next door neighbors) on my screen door, and lo and behold, he was meowing at my door late that night! Good luck and I hope your cat returns safely!

[wild_rose]

A nice teddy could attract other things besides your cat, as well. ;-)

[fishwish]

A nice teddy could attract other things besides your cat, as well. ;-)

I'm not sure if the worn underwear thing works with humans. I have never wanted to try that, plus the spousal unit has yet to NOT come running into my arms when I've wanted him/needed him to, teddy or no!  8P

[wild_rose]

LOL!!

[cropguru]

She's gone.  I can't find her outside anywhere.  Not what I intended.

occ

I kinda got a chilly feeling on that.  I know you didn't mean that to the cat.

She'll come back, Obscure.  Hang in there.

[larryc]

Don't forget that they can be bribed with an open can of tuna. ;-)

...and tapping a utensil against a ceramic plate.

[smurfette]

That was it.  In a fit of rage, I grabbed her up, and threw her out the front door.  She's an outdoor cat now, and if she can't adjust, she's, sadly, going to get a lethal injection.

Obscure, I like your posts, but I was really horrified to read this! You wouldn't throw out a kid if the kid peed on your bed, but it's ok for an animal you say you love?