I have a female seventeen year old cat, which is an American shorthair, named Rose. She has been peeing on the floor in the laundry room and won't use the litterbox. My mom has just about had it. We had her tested for a urinary tract infection, but our vet said she didn't have it. Do you know what else might be going on?
I am glad you responded to my post. I worked for a veterinarian over 27 years and I know this to be a problem in older cats. A simple blood test called a t-4 can check for any problems with her thyroid. At her age I would not be surprised if there was a thyroid problem. She can be treated with medication and have lab tests done every few months to make sure her medication is working correctly. K9cats
Is the box clean? We clean our cats box in the mornings before breakfast and again before 9p at night - I guess what I am trying hard to get across is we clean "it" out every 10 to 12 hours. We have scoopable litter in our box which is a God send to me and them I think as our cats range in ages from 12 years, 14 years and 17 years.
Good luck and keep us informed on what happens AND I highly doubt that she is doing it on purpose either as cats are very, very clean. Really more so then human's I think.
I use the large lid from a rubbermaid storage container for my old cat, as she has trouble getting in and out of a litter box. I don't use litter, as she won't "go" on the lid if there is anything on it. I just wash it off after she uses it. It's old age...sad...and for the people whose cats "go" on papers and/or plastic bags, put some papers or plastic bags on the lid and let the cat use them as litter.
Hello, Your Rose is going through old age. I recommend that you find a box with a smaller lip on the sides so she can get in/out easier. Does she cry or stare at nothing ie: walls/objects? I would get her thyroid checked by your veterinarian. You Dr. should do a Senior Examination on her. Good luck with your lovely fur baby.... Sherri& Tucker
Is the litterbox in the laundry room? I had a cat that kept going in the same spot - no matter how we cleaned or tried to 'redirect' the behavior, so I just put a litterbox there & haven't had any problems since. May not be ideal (ours is in the hallway), but if it's just age/behavior, it's the path of least resistance. Ah, the joy of cats. Good luck.
This happened with our 17 old cat also. She was peeing in the worst places, like on top of some paperwork on the desk. I think it is old age, maybe some form of animal dementia. Our cat unfortunately died a few months after this.
Maybe she has joint issues and kept step in without being in pain. Or maybe she is just not fast enough to get in the box in time anymore. It may be frustrating but she is not doing it on purpose. Maybe you could cut a part of the front edge out so she doesn't have to climb in, she can just walk. A small throw rug in front will catch litter that might fall out.
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