Conference misery::feline_v1

blockage, maybe not, but I'd bet bladder infection of some sort.  This is
DEFINITELY not cat behavior....the only way to be sure is the old isolation
trick...one at at a time.  Place cat, food, water, box in a separate room
like a bathroom or something.  This could take up to 36 hours to test out.
Be patient.

Get the culprit to the vet is my vote.

    Well, I've had whole males spray in and around their food dishes. 
    Even Stripees does this if I put him in a cage....he's always fine in a
    pen or running loose(as far as the food is concerned, other areas are
    "targets").  
    
    I know at least one other breeder who has this problem with her whole
    male.  
    
    cin
    

My nephew-cat, Ashley van Grayson, peed right next to the litter box in an
effort to show his Mom that he had a bladder infection.  Fortunately, there
were only two of them, so it was easy to figure out who-dun-it.  I'd also
suspect a bladder infection, or perhaps the reason your husband isn't worried
is that it's him!!!!!

One of them may have an elevated temp, indicative of the infection, so you
might try at that end, so to speak...after the first one or two cats, the
others will start pointing a paw at the culprit!

    I've had a little problem with this recently ever since a new stray
    showed up in the area. ALL of the boys have become very agreessive of
    late, to the point that they are all on Ovaban.
    
    Deb
    

    Thanks for the quick replies.  They've all been to the vet recently,
    the boy most recently and have been checked out healthy.  I would
    be more inclined to consider infection if it was more random, ie,
    other areas of the house, near the litter box, in front of me, etc.
    But this occurs in a very specific area, for several days at a time
    then stops for a few days.  I also make it a point to observe
    everybody's litter box behavior once a week (sounds like fun, doesn't
    it? ;-).  No one seems to be struggling at all.   I liked the idea
    of isolating them with necesities, however, I'm willing to bet that
    the problem wouldn't show up, because I think it's either too many
    at the food bowl simultaenously (the daily filling of the food bowls
    heralds an audience similar to the changing of the guard at my house),
    or too tight a space at the food bowl. I think I'm going to try
    separating the bowls and see if the problems "travels" so to speak.
    There are 7 of them, and perhaps personal space is not feeling very
    comfortable for some of the old-timers right now.  There are a couple
    of cats who go outside in my condo development, but I have rarely
    seen them in the area of our unit.  Lately the windows have remained
    closed since we have central air.  ET suggested moving the bowls
    around, and I think it might work or at least help pinpoint the
    problem.  If anyone seems unhealthy though, they'll be off to the
    vet.  My vet joked last time I was there that perhaps I should 
    have a "red line" installed directly to the office! ;-)
    
    Thanks again,
    
    Mary-Michael, Niniane, Charm, Dream, Boogie, Mips, Belle, & Misha  

    Funny, I have the same problem - I have discovered that a very
    large racoon has been visiting my porch - brazen thing!  There
    are also 2 cats roaming around the yard - I"m sure my kids are
    NOT pleased with any of the three visitors!  I sure wish my
    two neighbors would keep the blue/white and the all black 
    in the house.  Guess I can't do much about the racoon. sigh

    Re: a few ago..
    
    Are there any other obvious symptoms of a bladder infection?
    
    
    
    Bob

    straining, spending a lot of time in the box, and straing while in the
    box, bluddy urine, and the cat attempting to demonstrate to you that he
    is having problems.
    
    This has been discussed dozens of times, and those notes are keyworded
    with FUS, and CY* (for cystitis).
    
    Deb

    However, a cat can have a bladder infection with no symptoms other than
    urinating in the wrong places, and since bladder infections can be
    dangerous (death in a day or two if a complete blockage occurs), it
    is always wise to hustle the cat to the vet if you suspect a bladder
    infection.
    

    Well, I moved the food and water dishes to separate areas which were
    more spacious, and the problem is still continuing, although it seems
    to be amourously attached to wherever the water dish goes.  We still
    have no clue as to the culprit, but since Misha is my only male, he 
    is more suceptible to infection, and he is my most recent acquisition,
    he has won (unbeknownst to him, of course ;-) a trip to the vet's
    today.  I will also be asking about possibilities for  the
    other six, since at this point I am financially unable to 
    bring everybody in this month.  I'll keep you posted.
    
    Mary-Michael

    ...Maybe the cats are imitating their humans by trying to go in a 
    container of water as with a toilet.  Maybe they want to be potty-
    trained...Are there too many cats using one litterbox?

    Nope - we have graduated from the mere litterbox to a large
    sandbox, capable of accommodating several cats at a time.
    
    Actually, Misha has a slight bladder infection, diagnosed
    at the vet's yesterday.  The vet gave him a shot, and Misha
    will be on antibiotics for a couple of weeks.  The culprit
    was, we believe, well water which as too many minerals in it.
    So, its distilled water for the crew from now on.
    
    Misha is much more comfortable, has left the water dish alone,
    and the vet was very charmed by Mish (even though Mish went to
    the bathroom in carrier, poor little guy ;-)
    
    Peace is restored ;-)
    
    Thanks,
    
    Mary-Michael