Originally posted by kt_luvs_kitties

Also, I just stopped buying the other litter they have been using for awhile now, the cheap Walmart brand (the multi cat strength kind) and started using Tidy Cat multicat formula.
Is it possible that he just doesnt like the change>?
YUP!

The Litter Change just may be part of the problem.
Switch him back to what he's been used to.

UTI / Urinary BLOCKAGE in a male cat is a serious problem -
IF that's what is actually wrong.

When Boots, da Kat, developed his first of several
Urinary Blockages - he began to eliminate (pee only) near
but not IN the litter box.

Rather than "punish" him - he got put in jail =
Locked in the Bathroom - WITH his litterbox.

This solves two problems:
1) Confines the *mess* to a small area and
2) Allows you to closely observe his ability to eliminate.

"Lock him up" with his own private litter box - and keep it
clean & dry - so you can frequently check for "wet spots" and
see if he IS eliminating normally.

It's not an Ungent Emergency *UNLESS* he is either *straining* to urinate
-or- doesn't urinate for many hours.

Also monitor his water *INtake* - cats with urinary problems
often *stop drinking* - another Emergency condition.

I was lucky - after spending an hour or two IN the bathroom with Boots
(what a Phunn Place to "mingle wiffa Kat" )
I was able to observe him get into the box and/or "assume the position"
and TRY to *pee* - with NOTHING being produced.
And he'd *MeeOOOOw* quite pitifully while trying!

A call to the Vet and my reporting "he's TRYING to *pee* but not
producing anything" got me the warning to
"Get him IN Here - RIGHT NOW!"

You need to monitor this problem very closely to see if he's
actually having a PROBLEM eliminating -
or just has a case of BAD Attitude!

/s/ Phred