[rednesss]

He/she could have a urinary tract infection making it painful for him/her while urinating. They associate the pain with the box, not with the peeing, so they seek to pee other places than the box.

Then again he/she could just be being spiteful :)

[tet68]

Ah, owning a cat is it’s own reward.

[Ditter]

I was going to say the same thing. Take him to the vet and check out the urinary tract infection. THEN rip out the carpet, hard floors as so much better.

[taxtruth]

Yep,my cat had a blocked urinary tract and he did the same thing.Male cats have this problem a lot.Had to put kitty in the hospital for 3 days and it was expensive.The vet had to unblock him twice.Take him to the vet for a kitty checkup.

[martin_fierro]

Exactly what rednesss said.

< |:)~

[gdani]

He/she could have a urinary tract infection making it painful for him/her while urinating. They associate the pain with the box, not with the peeing, so they seek to pee other places than the box.

This what several vets have basically told me over the years.

Then again he/she could just be being spiteful :)

I know that's what a lot of people think, including replies on this thread. But, really, cats aren't that smart (and I say that as a cat lover, with 3 cats)

[republicangel]

My recently deceased kitty that lived to the ripe old age of 16 had this problem most of her life.
It started with a bladder infection and as other posters said, they associate the pain with the litter box. Once the infection is gone they still won’t use the litter box like they once did.

I did find some wonderful litter called Cat Attract. It is expensive, but found it at Pet Smart. It made her final years much more pleasant for all of us.