15 yr old siamese cat is pooing & peeing all over the house (not always in litter box) why? what can I do?

Question

It started a yr ago. Sometimes he sprays the couch. Has also pooed on the kids bed a few times. Pees in my bathroom. Goes outside sometimes (when not too cold) and goes in litter box too. How can I get him to stop?

Answer 1

Hi Ladeeda... please 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
- senior cats develop age-related disorders/diseases such as chronic renal failure (CRF) http://felinecrf.com/what0.htm , hyperthyroidism http://www.marvistavet.com/html/thyroid__signs__symptoms_and_d.html , diabetes http://felinediabetes.com/diabetes-info.htm , etc. These are all life-threatening and are manageable if caught early enough before the disorders/diseases are caught early enough.

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.

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Answer 2

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Answer 3

Well, he's quite old for a cat and it may be that he's just becoming incontinent. Happens to humans too, right? I would check with the vet to make sure there's nothing wrong.

You don't say if he was ever neutered or not, if not, he may be spraying to mark his territory, but I'm sure the vet will say he's too old for the operation now.

Your cat could also be going a bit senile in his old age and forgetting where the litter box is. I think the best you can do is to keep rooms closed to avoid accidents and to make sure that his litter box is kept very clean. It may help to add a second litter box.

There are also sprays available that often work really well to mask the odor of where he's had an accident. They always go back to where they've gone before because of the smell.

Good luck to you.

Answer 4

There's so many things this could be, but I'm going to guess that we can narrow this dow to two logical things:

(1) Old age

(2) Changes at home

Typically cats as they get older have "accidents" that are outside the typical box area, but I'd almost bet that the fact he sprays rather than pees on the couch is an indication of #2 rather than age.

So begin working back in time - what have you changed lately in his routine? Food? Litter? New pet or child in the house? Less attention? This is really tough because I don't know your situation but you'll have to really examine every facet of the cats life over the past year to determine what the change was. It could be as simple as the location of a litterbox or food dishes to as complex as a new home or new person in the house. All these things can upset the apple cart for a cat - especially an older cat.

Good luck!

Answer 5

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 6

We had an old kitty just like that.....the vet found intestinal blockage causing pain.....they gave some stuff they lick to clear the blockage, but he kept getting it....and it they said surgery wouldn't help, cause of his age they didn't want to use anesthesia...He had to be put to sleep when his digestive system failedAnyway, he needs a vet. He could have swallowed a string, or something....cats do that too. The pain though causes him to get your attention in bad ways. Don't let him suffer. Good Luck.

Answer 7

I trust the different posters who say to take your cat to the vet. After 15 years of affection and affection that's no longer too plenty to invite. i'm no longer able to have faith you would be annoyed with him, rather of apprehensive and desirous to appreciate what's incorrect. he's your duty and at his age is probable ill. Seeing as he hasn't been checked with tips from a vet and this has been happening for 3 years and is unexpectedly getting worse shows a deteriorating well-being situation, yet with any luck one that is taken care of. i'm particular if one among your infants replaced into performing abnormally you may take them to the healthcare expert. in case you like your cat such as you're saying please do the final suited factor. The harshest factor may well be to coach him loose into the wild. he's no longer adapted to that environment and it may well be very frightening and he probable might die a terrible loss of life. additionally, threat is he won't be observed and might purely be lonely and worried in a shield, till the sorrowful end, whilst he's killed with tips from strangers. i'm no longer able to think of that somebody who says they love their cat might even evaluate the two of the above concepts. The vet can furnish you a analysis and a analysis. no remember if that's a terminal ailment please do no longer make him go through. My ex as quickly as had a cat that he allowed to waste away for in basic terms egocentric reasons and it replaced into pathetic. If it have been my cat and he could no longer be taken care of i might take him to the vet and carry him in my palms and have him gently positioned to sleep. that must be a sort and merciful end to a suitable existence.

Answer 8

the poor baby is getting old, invest in a shop vac and maybe a few more litter boxes located around the house so he always has one close by.

Answer 9

Have you taken it to the vet? Sounds like something isn't right. I hate to tell you this, but I think she's (he's) just getting too old and senile....that happens to animals. Either you put up with it...or...I think you know the other option which is terrible! My 15 year old cat was doing this...I knew it wasn't well...and my stupid ex husband had her put down when I was away on holidays with the kids....idiot!!! As you can see...I wrote EX!!!

Answer 10

He's 15...it could be he's getting senile (pets do that as well as humans) It could be a infection, (kidneys) or an illness (diabetes) or it could be behaviorial (new brand of cat litter, moved the litter box) You should definately see your Veterinarian, especially due to his age.