Hi, all! I've been lurking for a while and now I finally have an unfortunate reason to post

Our blue spotted Bengal, Ferris Mewller (heh), is as rambunctious as any year-old Bengal kitten, but my boyfriend and I have noticed that he's been behaving strangely about the litter box for the last few weeks. When he first came home with us at 8 weeks old, he was great about using the box we set up for him downstairs. After he got older and learned to use the stairs, we transitioned the litter box to the upstairs since our other cat (3 year old female, not a Bengal) was used to that and because it enabled us to utilize a nice-sized storage closet as their own private cat bathroom.

We had maybe 2 accidents with Ferris after he first came home - after that, nothing for an entire year. He learned very quickly to use the litter box, was patient while we figured out his favorite litter and how often to clean it, and shares it very well with the other cat.

Here's the problem: These days, he cries like crazy around us if he needs to go and if we don't physically carry him upstairs and place him in the litter box, he pees on the couch or armchairs in the living room, right in front of us.

We have no idea what this means. In the entire year we've had him, we've never seen this before!

Now we're a bit stressed every night because he'll run around crying, and I'll have to carry him upstairs a couple times to make sure he goes - sometimes he will, sometimes not. His litter gets cleaned at least once a day, often twice a day, because he's very particular about having spotless litter. We've figured out what litter he likes, and half the time he'll go upstairs by himself anyway to use the box. He seems to complain most when we're sitting in the living room winding down for the night. Also, we both work from home so Ferris is almost always around us. If he wants to play, we're able to play with him. We're worried he may be crying out for even more attention, though. We're just not sure.

Is there something we can try with him? He's not fixed and has not been declawed. Other than this one thing, he seems to be a very happy, independent cat. I just feel like he's trying to tell us something but we're unable to interpret, which is no fun for everyone involved

Thank you if you have any info!!

Get him NEUTERED ASAP!!! It is almost certain that an intact male will have litter box issues, if hormones are not the issue now they will be in the very near future. Also if you have two cats you need at least three litter boxes, and there should be at least one on each floor. I only have two cats but I have to have four boxes!!! They both pee in one and poo in another, bengals can be picky about their boxes, not only the litter but the size and shape of the box. Also it is the location of the box with my two. My male would never go into an enclosed area to use his box, he has to be out in the open

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DITTO! He needs to have the snip. They also need at least one litter box each, plus one spare, if they are to share successfully.

Right, you chose a litterbox arrangement (one box, and tucked away) as a convenience for you, but you are now seeing the futility of that kind of arrangement. What is important is to have an arrangement that your cat is happy with, because a cat that is happy with his litterbox arrangement means no pee and poo on the carpets and other places in the house! I think you need more boxes, and I think you need to try them in other places that may be more convenient and more to the liking of your cats. How will you know? Experiment, and err on the side of having too many boxes. I would immediately go to having 2 boxes on each level, and experiment with locations. Like bkilgore said, my cats seem to like litterboxes that are "out in the open".

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The little monsters 3

A cats toilet is for their convenience... not ours.

He needs neutering asap really before some very unwanted behavior starts to develop, surprised it has not already!

I also think he needs a vet check to rule out a urine infection, cystitis or other problem. This sounds quite likely from wehat you describe.

Cats do not toilet outside their box for no reason or to spite us humans. There is always a reason for it, your task is to find out why.

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Lollo

Sounds like he could have a urinary tract infection. Schedule an appointment with the vet to rule this out. And please do not declaw a cat. You will only have more litter box issues if you do. If you'd like to know what a cat goes through, rip off your entire fingernail and then run your finger through the litter in a litter box and see how it feels.

Thank you all for the advice! Looks like we've got more solutions to this than we'd previously mulled over!