Litterbox Problems With an Older Cat

By

mmeowz

I have put a large plastic bag in the place she peed and also cut down the lip of the box so its easier for sadie to get in and out. So far its working, great ideas, thanks again!

By

mrs.story

I'm sorry for your loss. I hope that you will find comfort in good memories. Lisa

By

lostinthe

Please accept my sympathies on the loss of your cat. Kidney failure is very common in cats. I lost one in much the same way that you did. Our pets are indeed a part of our family and should be grieved in the same way. I don't know if you have read the rainbow bridge poem. If you have not please google it. That poem has been a great comfort to my friends and me several times over the years. I hope you too find it comforting.

By

kendal26

Thank you for all your answers but Rose was taken to the vet where it was determined her kidneys were failing along with age and she has since been humanely euthanized.

By

dajavooi

Take her to the vet. My daughter's cat started going every place except the litter box. She had an infection. Usually when they quit using the litter pan there is something physical wrong.

By

Contester

Until you solve the "why" I'd suggest putting the litter box on a large sheet of plastic like the tablecloth cover sold by the yard at Wal-Mart or a plain shower curtain. Put newspaper on top of that by the litter box, and it should absorb the urine and be easy to change. If you also put a layer of newspaper sprinkled with baking soda under the plastic, it should help absorb some of the odor. Change that occasionally too. The plastic itself can be run through the washer with a few old towels. Hang to dry. (If kitty can't wait for all that, have 2 to alternate.)

Be thankful she sticks with one spot. I had one that died of kidney failure, and he just went in the nearest corner to where he happened to be, mostly carpeted!

By

Carol in PA

My cat is 15 and she has started to do that, too, if her two litter boxes arent clean enough to suit her. lol I put an old towel or two under the boxes to keep the floor clean.

By

LinDuh

I don't have any "tips", but I had a Maine Coon that lived to be 19. In his last year, like people sometimes, he began to act a little "senile". There was nothing medically wrong with him, it was age

For a cat that never, ever used the bathroom in the house, he started all of a sudden going into bedrooms, etc., and pooping. He was just confused. At the time, I also had a 17 year old dog. I started putting down the house training pads for her during the night, because again, with age, they tend to need to go more often.

Believe it or not, that also seemed to work with my Maine Coon. He actually started "poopin'" on the house training pad, and pee'ing in the litter box.

My guess is, it's age, and he gets a little confused. Maybe try putting a dog house training pad at his litter box. It's worth a try. Good Luck!

By

mmeowz

Thank you to all that responded to my cry for help. I am looking into all your advise and will keep you posted as to Sadies condition. Again thank you so much. WE are so glad to have the support of our fellow felines.

By

mrs.story

I agree with the others - take Kitty to the vet.

We had a cat that decided to poop near the box instead of in it. We got one of those plastic floor protector/mat-things (sorry, don't know the proper name) that you put under your office chairs, and we put that under the litter box, covering the area that the cat was using. He went back to using the box. Don't know if it the mat covering the area made it so he couldn't smell his old spot, or if it was a texture issue (didn't want to poop on the hard plastic/preferred carpet).

Best of luck. I hope Kitty's health is good, and you find a solution to the problem!

By

Southern Saver

I agree that you should take her to the vet. If they don't find anything wrong with her, try putting one of those puppy training pads next to the litter box where she pees. That will make it much easier to clean up after her.

By

Sweet_tammy

Some cats will do this when they have a problem with there kidnes or blader I would be asking my vet.

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.