How do I make my 14 year old cat use the litter box again?

Question

My cat used the litter box all his life and, due to a family emergency, was left home with little attention for quite some time. He was fed and the little boxes were clean, but there was little time to play and give attention to him. In this time he stopped using the litter box and began going wherever he was at the time. I have also noticed that he lets out a painful "quack" when he goes. I'm concerned he may be constipated but a laxitive will only make the cleanup worse if he uses the floor still. I fear he doesn't use the litter box because he goes when it comes (due to the pain he seems to be experiencing). He still pees in the little box, but seems to poop when it wants to happen rather than when HE wants it to happen. Any suggestions? If the pain is fixed, will he use the litter box again or continue to go wherever becuase he has been for a few years now?

Answer 1

Hi there...first consider all the possibilities such as:
- changes with litter brands
- location of the litter box isn't private enough
- some cats like to have one box to defecate and another to urinate
- cleanliness (some cats are very finicky and prefer a super clean box)
- as a general rule there should be one litter box for each cat plus one extra as a back up
- aging/senior cat may have developed Chronic Renal Failure (CRF http://www.felinecrf.com/what0.htm ) or Hyperthyroidsim http://www.marvistavet.com/html/thyroid.html --common among senior cats. These two require immediate attention to be managed ...if delayed these two can become life threatening.

If all these have been ruled out, there's a chance that your cat may have developed another underlying medical problem which can contribute to accidents outside of the box. Cats will associate pain while using box and change their habits as a result.


Here's an article about why cats inappropriately soil outside their litter box by Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine: http://www.vet.cornell.edu/fhc/brochures/Housesoiling.html

House soiling is the most common behavior problem reported by cat owners. It includes urination and/or defecation outside the litter box, as well as urine spraying.

Why do cats eliminate outside of the litter box?
One common misconception is that cats soil in inappropriate places for revenge. It is tempting to conclude, "He defecated on the living room carpet to punish me for leaving him for the weekend." But this kind of calculation requires sophisticated cognitive abilities that cats aren't believed to possess. Furthermore, this conclusion assumes that cats view their urine and feces as distasteful, when in fact they do not. It is only we humans who view it that way.

Medical Problems
So why do cats urinate or defecate on your bed or carpet? Medical problems are one possibility. Inflammation of the urinary tract may cause painful or frequent urination, inability to urinate, bloody urine, and crying during urination. An affected cat is likely to eliminate outside the litter box if he comes to associate the box with painful urination, or if he has an increased urgency to urinate. In addition, kidney, liver, and thyroid diseases often lead to increased drinking and urination. Inflammation of the colon or rectum, intestinal tract tumors, intestinal parasites, and other gastrointestinal conditions may cause painful defecation, increased frequency or urgency to defecate, and decreased control of defecation. Age-related diseases that interfere with a cat's mobility (for example, arthritis, nervous system disorders, or muscular diseases), or with his cognitive functions can also influence his ability to get to the litter box in time. In short, any medical condition that interferes with a cat's normal elimination behavior can lead to house soiling.

Litter Box Aversions
Behavioral problems, such as litter box aversions, inappropriate site preferences, or urine spraying can also lead to house soiling. An aversion implies that there is something about the litter box that your cat finds unsavory. It could be the box, the litter, the location of the box, or all three.

...please consider visiting the website for further details

Answer 2

First of all, take your cat to the Vet. he may have a urinary tract infection or some type of other medical problem. You need to thoroughly clean the areas he has went outside the box, maybe even discard items such as rugs or etc. if at all possible. You will probably also need to get something either from the vet or a pet store for odor elimination and maybe a pet training aid such as a spray to keep him from those areas. Definately start with the vet first.

Answer 3

Unfortunately to tell you I have an older cat too and she has started going where she wants to no matter if the litter box is immaculately clean or dirty, she will go on the floor anywhere, no matter what we do she wont stop doing this, and what we have succumed to is that saying, you cant teach an old dog new tricks, although in this case it is an old cat...lol

Answer 4

First take your cat to a vet!!!! After you see the vet you could try something called lax atone.It's for hair balls,and as you know cats are always cleaning them self's and they can swallow hair which will constipate them. The cat could also not like where the litter box is even though it hasn't been moved.It could also be a behavior problem.But first and foremost take him to a vet.

Answer 5

You cat could very well be constipated. Sometimes, though, cats get too constipated for laxitives to work, and they need an enema. Ask your vet about your cat's litterbox issues, and they cat likely provide you with some good answers.

Answer 6

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Answer 7

It could be that he is just getting older now and it is a bother for him to be using the box. Bring him into the vet. His painful potty is not normal.

Answer 8

I say retrain the cat by sticking it in the litter box.

Answer 9

If it is making a painful cry do the right thing-- get to a vet-- our cat was the same as he was not well-- had to put it down--so sad.
yes, if the Paine is fixed, he will return to normal

Answer 10

Leave the litter box where he used to do it and encourage him to use it by rewarding him.