I have two cats, 16 and 19 years old, both spayed. They both eat a low protein vet cat food to help with an early stage kidney problem the oldest has. They have two oversize litter boxes that are kept clean, no change in the litter brand. They see a vet twice a year, two weeks ago was their last visit.
The youngest, 16, has been peeing in the bedrooms, on the beds, on the floor around the litter box for the past year (finally caught her in the act, couldn't be sure which one it was before). I use an odor destroyer, but it is now getting out of hand. I caught her climbing up into a plastic shelf and peeing on it/in it. Is she getting senile?
The vet had suggested bringing a litter box into my bedroom, but if she is climbing a shelf to go pee, I do not think it is because she is too tired to go downstairs. The house only has two floors so it is not far. They have their own door to the litter box so they are not prevented from getting there.
Choices are getting very narrow here. I do not want to confine her to one room in the basement. She has slept with my husband and me every night since she was 8 weeks old. Any suggestions?
By Kellys cats from NB, Canada
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I'm glad I found this site, I hope someone can help me out there. I have a 6 year old cat and she tends to pee wherever she pleases. It is getting very frustrating. It's getting to the point where I can't handle it, peeing on plastic bags, on the floor, my clothes, my purse. Please, if anyone has any advice for me I would be very greatful.
Thanks so much,
Penny from Ontario
It's quite possible that your cat has either kidney stones or a bladder infection. My friend had a female cat named Callie who was doing the same thing. She was peeing on just about everything, including my friends bed, numerous times; she was an older cat also (I think she was 17?).
We took her to the vet who said after doing a urine test that Callie had a bladder infection & also tiny little crystals in her urine. He prescribed some antibiotics, but also warned that it's possible the antibiotics wouldn't help much due to her age & whatnot. The vet said the little crystals in her urine caused pain & made her not able to hold her bladder very well - and that the crystals themselves were a big problem. He also suggested a change of diet might help, but I can't seem to remember what he had recommended.
So, to suffice, the antibiotics didn't really help much at all, & within a few days Callie was peeing all over again. The vet pretty much gave my friend two choices, live w/ the peeing everywhere or put her down. He said because of the crystals in her urine there wasn't much he could do & especially given her age, her quality of life would go downhill soon & if she wasn't suffering already, she soon would be.
My friend ended up having Callie put to sleep because she didn't want Callie to be suffering anymore, (& washing the bedding daily was getting to be a bit much)
I can't seem to remember what the crystals in her urine meant though!
Your cat seems to have the same symptoms as Callie had, however, & you mentioned your older having kidney issues - have they done a urinalysis on her (your younger one)? Perhaps you could ask your vet if maybe your cat has crystals in her urine? Maybe they have better treatments for it now (it was at least 5 years ago that Callie had this issue).
I hope this helps a tiny bit!And I hope things get better with your cat!
Oh, I gonna say as well:
Have you tried maybe moving the litter box upstairs? Just to see if she'll use it instead? Maybe there's a bathroom you could stick it in upstairs for a few days just to see if it helps before going back to the vet for more answers.
I apologize profusely in advance if I am not being very diplomatic and I am not trying to be mean but it isn't sounding to me as if you're really concerned about their comfort but rather more concerned about yours. What's wrong with having a litter box on each floor? Do you know how old 16 year old and 19 year old cats are in people years? 80 and 92! How would you like to be those ages and be expected to go to one toilet in the basement when your bladder is full and you're that old?
Hello,
Put out more litter boxes! Your fur babies need a closer place to do their business. Did your Veterinarian recommend a urinalysis? If not, you should have one done. Please make them more comfortable. Sher, Bears & Punnie
If there is no medical reason for the cat to be doing this. she is probably upset with you or someone else in the home including another pets. Some cats prefer to be an only "child".
It really sounds like a bladder infection, or at least a bladder irritation. Be sure to have the vet check for this. the test is not part of a regular visit. I have had the same problem. I got a product called Tinkel Tonic.
Thanks Everyone for your response. I am going to go back to the vet and ask for an urine analysis and to check her bladder carefully. I will try the Tinkel Tonic and the Comfort Zone. I will add the cats have lived together for the past 16 years with no added pets, and my son came along 5 years ago, so I do think it must be a bladder infection or senility or she is just getting old. I really do hope that she gets better, and that it is not urine crystals. Thanks
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