Are you sure any of the other cats aren't going in his box? That's the only reason I can think of why it's only 1 out of 4 times he uses his litterbox he will rise up and spray. I was thinking maybe another cat had used it and he didn't want his butt close to the other cat's business.

Barring a medical problem (but you'd think he'd do it all the time then) I guess I would consider a covered box.

My male neutred cat was larger than the average cat, and I had to get him one of those huge garden boxes they sell at hardware stores for his litterbox. He needed the space to fit in nicely andd give him room to turn around for different angles.

Good luck!

Take away his water bowl :)

Here's a link on some ideas for behavioral problems. One guy is recommending the "Clevercat Litter Box" under the 'box particulars'. (I think a high-sided rubbermaid type tote would work the same).

Are you still using the same litter or have you made a switch?

Here is a link that might be useful: box particulars

Thanks nutbunch and Shimla.
Nutbunch, I did not say it was 1 out of 4 times. I said he goes through a period of spraying over the box, then he gets better for a few days, and just starts again. And, yes, he is the one. I always check when I hear the 'scratching' sound at the litter box. He had his own room (and own boxes) for a little while when I adopted him, but as soon as he started having the whole house, he abandoned his own boxes. He likes to go into the other cats'boxes. So now, we only have 2 locations for the boxes. Remember, he was at the shelter for 15 months (and with 43 other cats before that), so he is used to using anyone's box!!!

Take away his water bowl :) Eh.. why did I not think of that??? What a great idea! Thanks, Shimla! Good to see that you are getting your sense of humor back! I read through the site you mentioned. I may try to change the litter itself (currently using yesterday's news / and Cat's Pride- which I hate, but this is the only one but my older cat has known). I may also have to try a covered box (don't like those).
I'll wait to see what the new vet has to say. I read in "The Natural Cat" that it is one of the symptoms of bladder stones/crystals, but he does not have any of the other symptoms.
Thank you for your suggestions,
Anne-Marie

Maybe the cat wasn't fixed until after puberty. Useally intact males spray and neutered males don't, neuter them too late and some never quit.

True, runswalken. This may be an explanation. He was neutered at the shelter when he was around 2. But the thing is that he does NOT spray anywhere around the house (knock on wood). He just sprays over his box, on and off. We did adopt a male stray a few years back, had him neutered at age 3+. No litter box issues. Obviously all cats are different.
Thanks runswalken.
Anne-Marie

Our male regularly sprays backwards when he pees -- very frustrating. The only solution we've found is to make litterboxes of our own, out of rubbermaid containers. I do NOT recommend using a normal covered litterbox -- all that happens then is that the pee hits the back of the box, and drips through the crack in the side.

We've looked at the Clevercat litter box, but our elderly female would have trouble crawling in and out, so we stick with our rubbermaid boxes. The sides are high enough to keep out the majority of his spray (unless he's going really crazy with it). I'm never getting a male cat again, though.

Here is a link that might be useful:

Great litter box, rivkadr. That certainly seems high enough! How did you manage to cut the sides so neatly? I tried with a 'heated' knife, but it was pretty irregular and I didn't use it. It would be perfect if he could just use the same box all the time... For some reason, of course, he always prefers (including food) what the other 3 cats have.. LOL!
Thanks for the picture.
He has been very good for the last 24 hours.... There is no telling when he'll start again!

Anne-Marie

anne_marie -- I believe the box in that picture, we used a small, serrated saw (you can pick one up at Lowes/Home Depot). The boxes we have now, we used a Dremel on (little hand-held fine-tool machine) -- if you use a metal cutting implement with the Dremel, it cuts through the plastic like butter.

Sounds like he is just messy. The cat we had growing up did his business outside but when he got old, he started using the litterbox more.

I remember my mother complaining he'd overshoot the box and hit the wall.

My neutered male does something similar: raises his butt and hits the sides. I finally bought one of the covered Clevercat boxes and it really solves the problem. Basil also digs and covers a lot, and the walled boxes solve the problem of tons of litter kicked outside the box. I really recommend it. I think I got mine at Petsmart.

I'm sure you'll have peace of mind on Monday when he goes in for a checkup, Anne-Marie. They can do a urine check if needed to make sure he doesn't have the beginnings of anything. When you said although he looks funny in that area.. it doesn't look like a nugget might be in there, does it? I was reading about cryptorchidism in males but it was very uncommon that they would leave one behind. In my travels, I found a pictorial of how they do a neuter. Wow -- just when I thought I'd seen it all!! This was on very young kitten so I would imagine the incision would be minuscule in comparison to an older, developed cat. It looks pretty straightforward. Wanna see???

Here is a link that might be useful: Easter Egg Hunt :)

Maybe the cat can spray but only chooses to do so over the litter box. Its probably an insacurity thing, a territorial behavior

i'd just maybe make it his own room, away from the other cats. or get more liter boxes.

Thanks everyone.
Rivkadr, we do have a serrated saw, so I'll try. I wish he would stick to ONE box instead of always going to the other cats' boxes...
Marita, I have looked at these clevercat boxes on the internet. I can't imagine him adjusting to these. Again, he would choose the other boxes..
Shimla , Wanna see?? NO, thanks, but I am sure you knew that!! LOL! and no cryptorchidism. Mail soon.
Runsnwalken, insecurity? this is very possible, as he seems to improve. He has more 'good days' than 'bad ones'. This cat needs a lot of TLC!! He could not have found a better home, I think. Maybe the Feliway is helping.

Well, I'll let you know if the vet finds anything wrong.
In the meantime, thanks everyone.
Anne-Marie

Your most welcome

Just thought I would share the good news. Almost 6 months later, our new addition from the shelter (he had spent 15 months at the shelter) has learned to use the litter box 99% of the time without "over" spraying (in the last month)... With a lot of TLC, he has learned to relax, feel secure.. Hard to erase 15 months of stress at an overcrowded shelter, even a good one! and he has a very unique personality... One of a kind!

So please, if anyone else is in this situation, do NOT give up on your cat!

Anne-Marie