Why has my 13yr old cat suddenly pooping and peeing all over the house. He's always used the litter.?

Question

He is a 13 yr old nuetered, male Maine Coon cat. He has always been very well behaved, never messed anywhere ever before now except for hairballs. In last couple months he's peeing and pooping (hard and soft stools) on rugs and clothing on the floor or whaver he can, several times a week. He seems fine. He eats and drinks and plays as usual but sometimes he has loose stools, not quite diareah. The litter box is upstairs, he uses it sometimes, other times he uses things on the floor in the bathroom or bedroom. He gets a lot of attention and brushing and 2-3 meals a day of 'California Natural ' food. I don't know what could be wrong, but I guess he needs to go to the vet Monday. Thanks

Answer 1

At the age of 13, your cat is definitely a "senior" in human years. As such, it's important he receive more frequent checks by the vet than the once a year check up suggested for younger cats.

If you have only one litter box and it is located on an upper floor, your cat may be trying to tell you that he needs/wants an additional litter box in a more convenient location. Perhaps he's a bit lazier or the steps are more tiring and he'd like a litter box on the main floor, too. The usual rule for litter boxes is to have at least one more box than the number of cats in the household. Also, have you changed the type or brand of litter you are using? Many cats do not like scented litter and are particular about litter texture.

The defacation in new places is definitely a sign that something is going on. He's doing this to get your attention.

First rule out the possibility that there is a new cat in the neighborhood hanging around doors and windows threatening his "status". If there is, he may be "marking" his territory. By chance, is there a new baby in the house or has something else changed in recent months?

Definitely take a stool sample (refrigerate it if you won't be taking it in immediately) to your vet to check for intestinal worms. (Inactive worm eggs are carried in the muscles of Mom cats which hatch while she is pregnant, therefore it is unusual for a kitten NOT to have worms at some point. There's a possibility that a worm egg from your cat's muscle tissue somehow became active and started a new cycle.) You don't mention if you ever allow your cat outside, but it would be easy for him to pick up worms/worm eggs on his paws from the grass or garden areas around your home. Is it possible he caught and ate a mouse? He could have acquired worms from the mouse if the mouse had worms.

Have you made any changes to his diet in recent months? Often bowel changes are brought about by food changes, or he may have become allergic to one of the ingredients in the food. (Yes, there are many cats with allergies to some of the ingrediants such as corn, rice, soy, wheat, etc. and, additionally, to many other things in the environment.)

You don't mention vomiting as a major problem so I won't go into the possibility of hair balls. (The best thing for those is a couple tablespoons of mineral oil on his food for a few days.)

You are absolutely right that he needs the attention of your vet. Take in a stool sample and don't be surprised if the vet will want to also test his urine (for a bladder infection) and do blood tests to help rule out or pinpoint other health problems. I suggest you also take in the bag from his food just in case the vet wants to review the ingredients.

Finally be sure to use products that can completely remove the odor of his prior "accidents", as the odor will prompt repeats. I suggest using "Odo-Ban" or "Petzyme". They're the best I've found to eliminate odors completely and I also use them to deodorize cat litter boxes.

Good luck with your beloved pet!

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Last year my beautiful Manx cat Theodore went out for the evening and never came back. I love cats and the house didn't feel the same without one, so I picked up Lola from a rescue centre. She was very frightened and would pee all over the house. I found Cat Spraying No More� on the internet and the techniques worked almost immediately. I haven't had a problem with Lola since. Amazing!

Can't stop your cat peeing in the house? Then worry no more...

Answer 4

As cats age they are the same as some older humans and can become incontinent. You may need to have more than 1 litter tray scattered around the house so he can make a quick dash to the nearest one. The vet visit is a good idea, just to make sure nothing is seriously wrong.

Answer 5

Hi Lostg...Your companion is getting old and maybe he is getting confused and peeing and pooping, thinking he is in the right spot all the time...I would put a litter box down stair and keep the one up stairs to...And see if that helps...But if he still is having problems,I would take him to the vet. Oh,I have one question...Have you ever feed him any kind of cat food with fish??
If yes,Fish in their food with plug up their urinary tract and this can be a life threating infection...If you have giving him fish get him to the vet A.S.A.P. GOOD LUCK...

Your Friend Clowmy

Answer 6

He is old and may have a urinary infection. Or any other disease. Take him to the vet and be sure. He doesn't deserve to be in pain or embarrassment from accidents. Maybe the trip upstairs is getting hard for some reason or his box has a strange odor if he is sick and he doesn't like the smell. Best wishes and I hope he doesn't have pain or sickness!

Answer 7

My cat is same age and doing this also, she is well able to out when she wants, she is pooing by the inside front door and vomiting under table, we also have a feeling she peeing inside also, has never needed a litter tray in the past only when a kitten, any advice appreciated, marty

Answer 8

First, check with your vet to see if there's any medical issues. Then I suggest to place additional litter boxes downstairs. And do whatever you can to clean and deodorize those accident spots as animals do have a tendency to do their business at the same location.

Answer 9

Definitely the vet. It could be a urinary tract infection, a symptom of kidney failure, or pain in his joints. It may be hard for him to get up the stairs in time.

Your friend of thirteen years deserves some prompt attention from a vet - and it could be something easily dealt with. Good luck to you both!

Answer 10

It could be just old age or that might be the cats wa of telling you something is wrong my cat Dryfus was the same age and did the same thing my father took him to the vet and he got put down because he was slowly dying.