We adopted our cat TJ from a shelter about 7 years ago. He is neutered, indoor-only and and it's just me and my hubz in a large 2 bedroom apartment. About 2 years ago he started peeing in the bathtub but, very infrequently. A vet confirmed he was healthy. This fall, we rented a house in Florida for a month (we live in NYC) and he stayed home. Our cat sitter was to visit him 2x per day for two weeks and then our niece would house sit for two weeks. His litter boxes are in the basement and before we left I cleaned the basement and found evidence that he had pooped and peed a few times outside of his box. Well, when we went away he stopped using his box to pee and instead started to pee only in several specific areas on the basement floor. When we got home we took him to the vet. All fine. She prescribed a sedative and it only made him pass out. We had a cat behaviorist visit our home. Tried all her recommendations: hormonal collar, cat attract, more litter boxes (he now has 4), litter box on both floors, different cat litter, Valerian root (calming), sprays that prevent re-marking, positive reinforcement, etc. etc. No improvement. It is beyond frustrating. I understand that it has been a stressful time. He is not used to us at home all the time (COVID) and then our absence for a month must have been shocking and traumatizing. And, there has been another cat in the parking lot behind our apartment (I am working with a local rescue agency to get the cat to a shelter) which I'm sure has compounded his stress. That said he has food, water, toys, tons of affection and seems happy in general. He is very sweet, and we love him, but this has to stop.