Need serious help. Two cats, male seems to be running my female from the litter box so she pees and

  I am at a loss. I just discovered that my female cat has been urinating in my dogs bed, a basket where I keep work gloves, and laundry baskets as well as a chair in the computer room. I bought a second litter box and placed it in the spare bathroom recently and as soon as I filled it with fresh litter, my male cat immediately jumped in and started urinating. Not 5 seconds later, my female cat squeezes herself in right next to him to urinate after she had JUST used the other box. I'm thinking that she's peeing(and pooping!) Outside of the box because of something to do with my male cat? I have no idea what to do. I've been trying to keep him out of the new box because it seems to be an issue..He wants everything to himself. It's never been like this before. I've had them both since they were kittens from the same momma. I've also noticed they've been fighting more frequently. I don't know what could have caused this as nothing has drastically changed in their environment. Any advice? I'm ripping my hair out.

My female cat has also become obsessive about using the new box. Every so often she's running to it, pushes some litter around, and jogs back to what she was doing before..

Hi, and welcome to TCS

The first thing I'd do is get your girl to the vet. Inappropriate urination often has a physical cause (such as a uti). You need to be sure there's nothing going on with her before moving forward.

It doesn't sound like she's feeling pushed out by her brother if she's happy to jump in the box beside him. Her frequent trips to the box really do make me think the cause is physical.

The reason she's going outside the box is flawed 'cat logic'. It runs something like this: 'peeing hurts. The box must be making it hurt. Maybe if I try somewhere else the pain will stop'.

Having the second box is a good idea anyway - actually, for two cats three boxes is ideal.

The fighting could simply be because she's more cranky or acting differently because of the possible pain. It could also simply be their age - if they're 1-2 years old they're essentially teenagers, and so are more likely to be having a minor power struggle. Occasional spats can be normal anyway. Nothing you say leads me to think they're causing injuries to each other (I apologise if I've misunderstood you on that point).

The best way to tackle the fighting is to give them both plenty of interactive playtime every day. It provides a positive outlet for any excess energy, as well as making the underdog feel more confident and territorially secure. Other things to try are opening up more vertical space to effectively increase their territory and using calming measures such as Feliway, Spirit Essences and Composure.

Hang in there. They (and you) WILL get through this![article="32366"][/article]
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Thank you so much for the response! A vet visit is in place. I will be getting another box as well even if it is a UTI. I wasn't aware that they should have at least three. Yeah, they will be three years old this month! And no, they aren't hurting each other, just been rough housing a lot. Although, since I've posted this they both have seemed to relax a little and I haven't noticed pee where it's not supposed to be. Interesting about cats using different spots to potty, though. I didn't know they'd associate pain with their litter box! Thanks again! Very helpful.

Good luck with the vet visit :cross: I hope the problems are resolved quickly