I have a 17 year old Persian cat and about a month ago she has decided to pee next to the cat box. She will go poop inside her box. I have tried sprays, moving the box, putting up obstacles, but with no luck. I'm at my wits end and the smell is getting to be too much to bear. I have read the posted comments, but any other ideas? Help.
By Kathy from Freedom, CA
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Some cats will do this when they have a problem with there kidnes or blader I would be asking my vet.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
I'm sorry for your loss. I hope that you will find comfort in good memories. Lisa
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!
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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?
By Kendal from Ennis, TX
Maybe she has joint issues and can't 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. (10/23/2009)
By Dave
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 and 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. (10/27/2009)
By Amy
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. Your Dr. should do a senior examination on her. Good luck with your lovely fur baby.
Sherri and Tucker (10/27/2009)
By Sherri
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. (10/27/2009)
By Dena Roberts
Is the box clean? We clean our cat's box in the mornings before breakfast and again before 9 pm 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. (10/27/2009)
By Paula Jo C.
(submitted via email)
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 (10/28/2009)
By Sally
