Cat peeing near the litter box

Hi, all

I'm new to the site. I've been reading a lot and getting a lot of very useful information, so thank you.

I have a question about a problem I am having with one of my cats.

I have two, a male and a female. The male recently started peeing all over the place. Started with the couch, did it twice (about 2 weeks ago) and, for now, he seems to be leaving it alone. But then he started peeing outside the litter box (right outside, in front of it, or around it). He does it 2x a day... it's driving me nuts!

He's neutered, a little older than 2. I've read a lot about it, and did everything that I was told to... to no avail so far.

I took him to the vet, he does not have a UTI or anything wrong with his urinary system.

I have two litter boxes, away from each other, and they are cleaned every day.

The two cats get along just fine. they actually cuddle a lot.

I am very affectionate with them both, pet them and talk to them often.

Just today I changed the quality of the litter I've been using - not sure if this is the issue, will see.

Anything else you guys can think of?

I thank you for any help you can give me.

Hi and welcome to TCS! Generally when a cat pees right outside the box, there's something about the box or litter that he doesn't like. Are they open or closed boxes? High or low boxes? Are they big enough for him? What kind of litter have you tried? Maybe try putting two different kinds in the boxes and see if he has a preference? Have you tried the Cat attract litter? There's also Feliway pheromone diffusers if you think that stress might be an issue.

Hi, thanks for your feedback. The strange thing is that I had two litter boxes for a while, but they just used one, mostly, so I reduced to one only an put the other away. That worked just fine for a very long time, no issues. Then 2 weeks ago, he started with this behavior, so I took the other box out of storage and filled it up for him, put it away from the other one. He took to it right away and started peeing around it. The litter is the same I've always used, but today I got a new one, just to see if that was the issue. As of today, each box has a different kind of litter, so we'll see. I used World's best before, and today I started with Purina TidyCats. Both boxes are closed, and they are large too. I am thinking maybe I should leave one open? That may be part of the issue? He never had a problem with it, but I know, I know, they change... I had never heard of Cat attract litter but I will look it up. Will check on the Feliway pheromone too, and I think you're right, there may be some stress going on. When I pet him, he seems very agitated, doesn't settle. He's anxious about something. Well, I've travelled a lot this year, so I think this may be part of the issue. Trying to give them as much attention as I can now. This is so hard... thanks for your time to answer.

About change, my cat used a large closed box for years without a problem. Then a few months ago, she started peeing high right into the gap between the lid and box. I tried a larger closed box withe the same issue. I took the lid off, and no more high peeing. I have no idea what changed. I would definitely try leaving one open.

There's the Cat Attract litter and a litter attractant that you can sprinkle on other litter as well.

Stress can be such a big factor with some kitties. I know my cat hates it when I'm travelling for work. She drives my husband nuts with her clinginess when I'm gone. I do try to tell her every time I leave that I will be back.