I have a very sensitive, very OCD male. Every time my schedule changes, he has a bout of FUS and has wound up in critical care once. My old family vet finally figured out that it was nothing more than stress. On a whim, he listened to his heart while he was standing on the table, then listened to it while I held him. Totally different heartrate when I held him. The vet deduced that my sudden change in schedule (from being in and out of the house all day to being gone 8 solid hours) was what had upset him to the point that his body chemistry changed and he was nearly blocked.

I went the alternative route (surprise, surprise) and added more red meat into his diet ( I switched him from chicken to beef and venison raw pre-mixed). HOWEVER-if it is crystals causing this, you need to be sure what kind, or a diet change can be counter-productive.

If there's nothing physically wrong with him, it's tougher. Mine (Herman) was such an OCD kitten that he refused to step IN the litterbox; he would walk around the edges and hover. He now prefers to urinate in the sink (hey, it's better than the rugs!)There seem to be certain cats that are more prone to these issues than others, and it seem to be the more shy, sensitive ones. This is the case w/Herman anyway. I have kind of given up on 100% litterbox compliance w/him...hate to sound negative, but I care more about his health than where he pees, so as long as I keep him unblocked and not in pain, then I'm good. I will be trying to toilet train him when I move; I think this will work like a charm for a cat who doesn't like to go where someone else (even themselves) has gone before.

Now for the ears; Herman has this issue too. He sometimes cries and scratches his ear. I used things the vet recommended and it did little good. I think the diet helped more than anything; absolutely no grain for cats like this!

Prowl is great, but add to it or they always seem to be hungry. Also, if it turns out to be a urinary issue (which it might be, even though it "looks" normal), don't leave food out all the time. Smelling food constantly triggers the brain to release chemicals (can't remember the names of them) that increase the production of crystal causing chemicals. Give them about 15-20 mins to eat, once a day, then take it away. Cats naturally eat on a 28 hour schedule.

My boy cat pees in the sink too! You have no idea how relieved I was to read that somebody else's cat does the same thing. I thought mine was just extremely weird and kind of disturbingly gross and kept having to make up lies for him when guests ask why he's sitting in the sink. Still, I'll be honest about what he's doing after my guests have eaten.

About 20 years ago I trained my cat to use the toilet when it was only a few months old. I used a thing called a "Kitty whiz kit". It was nice having no litter box in the house. This cat, Zonker was a pituitary giant...27 lbs and not fat. Many a time he'd run me off the toilet if he had to go real bad. Pushy thing.

I didn't see this mentioned, but is the cat front-paw declawed?

I have read a lot about (lifelong) litter box issues being a common side effect of declawing.

of course that is only if you have ruled out urinary tract issues.

Angela, no he is not declawed. That's interesting though I've never heard of issues with the litterbox due to declawing?

Yes, it is because declawing is an extremely painful operation. After the surgery the cat hurts its feet trying to use the litterbox. It then associates the litter box with pain. Happens a lot apparently. Aside from research I've read, a lot of cat rescues will state they get in a high percentage of cats that are declawed, reason for surrender: litterbox issues.

There are lots of other behavioural problems that can happen too.

This was years and years ago that I read this - I was doing research on whether to declaw my cat when he was a kitten (who passed away last year from old age). I'm sure now that there would be alot of stuff on Google.

Anyway that is obviously not your issue!

Once my cat did have litterbox issues while I was using clay litter (not clumping). I'd used regular clay litter for like 5 years then my cat had to live with my mom for a while and she used clumping. After that he would no longer use the regular litter. He went on strike until I bought him the kind he liked!

Something is causing an aversion for your cat. If it isn't a physical problem it is possible that he doesn't like the smell or feel of the brand of litter.

Can't comment on the ear thing other than it could be a food allergy or yeast.

Edit: maybe I missed it but what is the age of the cat and does he eat kibble?

How old is this cat? If this is not a medical or litterbox cleanliness issue, in my experience there are a couple possibilities: 1) some older cats will start to become "sloppy" with their litterbox habits, or 2) this cat was taught at one time or another to use something other than a litter box and it was ok.

Per Howard's post on potty training his cat to use the toilet, I did the same with mine; however, since I lived in an apartment with one toilet and two cats, everytime I missed flushing the toilet when one was done and the other had to go, the other would go somewhere else, which is why I have the peeing in the kitchen sink and bathtub problem. Similarly, if your cat peed on the carpet or something else and you missed it or did not clean it up well, the cat would have likely returned to that same place and essentially learned that it was ok.

To compound matters, once your cat has that habit down (and these habits can develop very quickly) the very texture of the carpet may elicit his or her need to relieve him/herself.

If this is indeed a learned bad habit, I would go back and redefine for your cat where the litter box is and that is the only place to go. Unfortunately, the only way to do this is to lock your cat in the room where the litterbox is for a good week or two. If your cat does not mess outside the litterbox in that time period, expand his or her freedom incrementally. Also, pick up a black light or something and see if there are any uncleaned areas in your place that may be eliciting your cat to relieve him/herself.

ETA: One more thing, if your cat is going to a specific area each time (outside the litterbox), start feeding him/her on that area. In other words, stick his/her bowl of food on that spot and that would likely deter him/her from going there. You may have to put his/her food in a much larger bowl to cover more area.

Cats are weird!

They really are

I am down to one cat...a fluffy orange male, Oliver, age 10. He is the sweetest thing ever. He will only eat Friskies Shredded Turkey and Cheese...will not eat anything else except a little bit of Science Diet kibble. OMG. It goes against all of my feeding ideals, let me tell you. But what can you do? He doesn't have any litter box problems, despite being declawed on all four claws.

Good luck with your Kitty!

i don't get that...all these people coming into the store..."my cat will only eat the grilled fancy feast whatever flavor, not the shredded blend of the same flavor, etc....."

my cats will eat ANYTHING. not kidding. my meezer, merlin, LOVES plain white bread. whole slices.

they will ALL tear open any bag of dog food and tuck in, no matter how big the kibble is. they like any meat source(relish venison though), and will eat any brand of any food.

my cats will also use any type of litter...

your cats are weird, lol.

I had always had my cats declawed until I really did research on what actually takes place which is why I chose not to declaw Turbo? However sometimes Tula Belle does not think it is too fair he has claws and she does not. She can handle him though with or without claws He is going to be 4 this year and yes as of now they are on kibble. Has been mainly blue buffalo unless I run out before I can make the trip to go get BB.