litter tray for old cat?

Question

our cat is 17 years old and has never used a litter tray.recently she has been doing the odd pee around the house even though she still goes out in the garden. do you think that if we got a litter tray she would use it ?

Answer 1

Try it. Can't do any harm.

Answer 2

I had the same problem a year ago my cat was 20 and of course hadn't used a litter tray since she was a kitten, what I did was instead of using cat litter from the pet shop I used earth out of the garden and found it worked well, you can start adding cat litter to it bit by bit so she gets used to it gradually.
Good luck

Answer 3

I'd try it. Get a couple and put them in places where you know she goes in the house then gradually move the trays to where you'd prefer them to be. I'd also clean the areas she's been peeing in properly (with a solution from the vets or pet shop) because sometimes there is a scent left behind that stimulates her to pee there again.

Old cats do need a bit of patience, mine was terrible for having wee accidents, and you will probably have to watch her and clean the trays out often as they get quite picky about that!

Answer 4

Is she out at night? Not good for a cat that age. We "seniors" are still going strong and all our facilities are somewhat diminished by age -- quickness of movement, hearing, vision, etc.
So she is in more danger at night now than when she was younger. My brother and his wife lost their cat that way. I think she was just not up to getting away from a coyote.

We old folks all have to pee more frequently than when we were younger so maybe she can't go all night if she is in the house without relieving herself.

I would get a box and confine her to the bathroom for a few nights and I think she will start to use the box.

I have a 22 yr old cat who lived all her life totally outside until she came to me at age fifteen. She drinks a lot of water and has always used litterboxes in my house. She was very ill when I got her and was placed in a warm, cozy bathroom with a soft rug, her food and water and a litterbox.

Answer 5

Definately. You could try putting some soil from outside in it at first, then mixing the soil with some cat litter and gradually reduce the amount of soil. This old cat may be a little forgetful and us oldies suffer incontinence you know :0)
What a nice considerate cat owner you sound. Good on you for putting your pet first.

Answer 6

I think it's very possible your cat may have a urinary tract infection. they're fairly common, especially in old cats but the only way to figure out if thats true means a vet visit. they'll give your cat a good head to toe exam and then look at a urine sample. if infection is present they'll give you some anti biotics. if infection is NOT the case your vet will have some good ideas about how to get your kitty used to using a cat box. I don't think your cat would object too much to using one it'll just take a little time and training.

Answer 7

No - has she started getting incontinence? She is old. I have a young cat who has always used a litter tray & I caught him crapping in the garden today!

Answer 8

She might not know how to use a litter tray now, you could try it, and if you do, make sure you put it in the same spot all the time! Or just make sure she goes out like every other hour!!!
Hope you find out the right anwer!
Bestest Luck!!
- - - - - - - Beth - - - - - - - -

Answer 9

i might have theory that shifting the muddle tray to easily exterior the back door might inspire him to apply it there. endurance is what's critical right here, disinfect the place the muddle tray become interior to deter him from making use of that place yet at 12 years previous, being rehomed is an upheaval for him - do you be attentive to his background, he might have emotional problems. Why do no longer you want a cat flap? i think of having a cat flap is significant then your cat has freedom to bypass out and in while he pleases, you do no longer could stay wakeful late at night to make effective he's presented in, or early interior the morning to enable him out.

Answer 10

Hello, I have had cats all my life & I believe if you buy a large litter box & put her in it, that she would start using it. One other thing, have you brought in another cat or animal? Because they will sometimes start marking their spots in a house if a new pet arrives, even if the other pet is an outside pet. Hope this helps. Best regards, nmcjane

Answer 11

Hi. you could try her the poor old love, she's used to going outside in the garden.
Now our two Tabbys girls,if you put a different cat litter in the tray they will not use it at all.
You can try her, good luck.