Senile cat? Litter tray problems? Ideas?

[Natch]

So not strictly dogs but still...

Cat is 18 years old, never been in brilliant health, was a rescue cat (found in bin bag by side of road as a 6 month old) and is a scaredy cat. A year ago she decided going outside wasn't for her when it came to the loo, and started weeing behind a dresser. This coincided with introduction of a new dog (household until recently had 1-2 dogs & 2 cats) so being a bit upset and territorial was blamed for it. Being a scaredy and old cat was the reason my parents, who own her, decided to put up and put the litter tray there, rather than try to prevent it.

Still reasonably healthy and happy cat, still liked going outdoors for sunbathing and meandering. Would stand her ground and has both dogs under a rein of terror - so much so that they winge if she is sat in the hall way, rather than risk walking past

But she now "misses" the litter tray behind the dresser. Its big - but she manages to wee to the side of it, which is a tiny tiny space. Also now poos in/out of the tray

Has anyone got any idea WHY?! She is still reasonably active and agile, so should be able to make it outside like the other 17 years she's managed it, and only goes behind the dresser to soil, doesn't lurk there (who would when it stinks of poo?!)

Any ideas why she is doing this? Is it spite/upset from having the new dog? Do you think I am doing her an injustice and she can't make it outside for any reason? And is there anything I can suggest to my poor family to try to change what is going on?? They have put plastic mats down around the litter tray, but really they are in their 60s, and should not be climbing around behind dressers clearing up after cats!

Baileys if you get this far

 

[CorvusCorax]

My dad's old cat does this - she has started going behind the settee - she is about 15, think it is an age thing?!

 

[Hettie]

Hi this info is probably a bit basic for you but it's quite a nice summary Cat toilet probs . I would think it is unlikely to be "senility" as your cat still remembers where the litter tray is. Could it be behaviour related or even pain/disease related as she is getting older?

Maybe she could do with a vet check and a urine sample to make sure she doesn't have cystitis/crystals or kidney problems? Behaviour wise - have you changed litter tray or litter recently? Or maybe she is getting a bit stiff in her old age and finding it difficult to jump into the tray? Hope you get it sorted

 

[Rana]

Sounds like litter aversion (plenty of info through google search). Could your parents try changing the litter? Or maybe it's not clean enough, or it's too clean, or she's been frightened while in the litter tray. One of our cats is a bit like this - we're lucky that she's taken to weeing in the bath where at least it's easy to clean up!

Also echo what Hettie said - when our cat first started doing this, we discovered she was getting regular bouts of cystitis - once we started treating that, she became much better.

The other thing we found with ours was to get one of those covered trays - we realised she was going into the tray, but weeing just outside of the tray (over the edge). Once we got the covered one, it solved that problem, as well as giving her more privacy and cutting down on any smells!!

 

[Natch]

Ahhh thanks, quite a few things you have all given me to think about.

She has has cystitis in the past, so it is possible she gets that regularly.

A covered tray might be a good idea, I will suggest it (and see if ti will fit!)

She hasn't ever had a litter tray with us in the past - apart from when she first arrived, or on very rare occasion when they have had to be kept in: both cats have been happy going outside their whole lives. I guess it is possible that she finds it difficult to use the cat flap now due to joint problems, as it does involve a "step over". I say flap, the dog broke it years ago so it is a hole in the wall! Still, not sure what to make of that theory as she is still going outside (unless she is choosing to go out when the door is open, which I don't know).

The one my parents have provided her with simply has soil in it, which is all they have ever used. I guess it might be too clean or too dirty, so will suggest that for them.

Good to hear that its a relatively common thing though. Poor girl, she has never been in brilliant health, always a bit sickly. She used to move outside & high rise in summers gone by, only coming down & in for food, and as a result would give herself rain scald, has polyps in her ears now, has had cystitis/kidney infections, now constantly asks fo food (we think she forgets she's had it unless its kidneys packing up) and in general never had bright eyes and a gleaming coat).

.. and yet our other moggie has just been PTS age 19, nothing wrong with her most of her life despite cat flu as a kitten, and we really didn't think she'd go first out of the two of them!

I digress. But thanks for all the info, have some things to go on now.

 

[ladyearl]

Def go for the covered tray - I had same problem with my old cat who always "perched" on the edge of his tray but as time went on he got more wobbly and more end up outside than in. I started him off with the door off so that he realised the litter was inside.

Also recommend "worlds best" cat litter - seems expensive but lasts forever!!!! And really cuts down on smells..