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Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | Domestic Mediumhair | Male | neutered | 1 year and 5 months old | 9 lbs
My cat has been spraying on our living room curtain but urinating on shoes and dirty clothes in our closet. He also has been pooping inside his litter box but he urinates on the floor while he squats on the entry of the litter box. He also has been urinating in the bathtub drain and scratched the sides as if he was mimicking what he does in the litter box when he covers his feces. What can be the problem here?
4 Answers

Answered By Shaneez Wallani, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on February 4th, 2019
Answered By Sara Farmer, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on July 21st, 2018
Urinating outside the litter box can be a sign of lower urinary tract disease including a urinary tract infection. Other signs include more frequent urination and straining to urinate. If the behavior continues and Spooky urinates outside the box again I would recommend seeing your veterinarian. You should be sure to use an enzyme cleaner like Nature's Miracle to clean the urine spot.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Rebecca, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on May 30th, 2017
Hi. Sounds like Lucky is having some issues with urination. Spraying is typically marking with urine on an upright surface such as a wall. Frequent urge to urinate such as going in and out of litter box frequently or peeing outside the box may be signs of a urinary tract problem such as inflammation or infection. Male cats can sometimes get blocked by inflammation where they are unable to urinate and this can be a life threatening emergency. I strongly recommend having him evaluated by your veterinarian to rule out medical vs behavioral causes for the change in litter box habits. If he is acting at all sick or painful please get him seen right away. Even if it is behavior such as spraying your vet can help you with resources to try to help modify his behavior.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Dr. Davis
Veterinarian
Published on October 16th, 2018
Since this is abnormal behavior I recommend an exam and urinalysis. Often cats with feline lower urinary tract disease will start going out of the box. They try to tell their owners that there is a problem. Since there have not been other changes or stresses then I think a behavioral problem is less likely. In the meantime I would confine her to a smaller area with her food water and litter. Use a pheromone diffuser also like Feliway which should help her relax. Something may have upset her and she needs to get retrained to using the box again. Once she’s back to using the box regularly and you know there isn’t a medical problem then you can let her free in the house again. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for Molly.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful