Can you help me figure out why my cat is doing this?

Question

My elderly (12) female cat has lately been refusing to use the litterbox. She was seen by a vet about 3 months ago and he could not identify any urinary-tract problem. But she's still peeing in inappropriate places (such as on top of the dining-room table!) and it's really becoming a problem.

The litterboxes (we have 2 cats) are kept very clean, and we have not changed brands of cat litter. And nothing has occurred in our household recently, such as the introduction of a new cat, emotional upheaval, or other big change in routine, to explain this change in behavior.

I am not a person that would ever, EVER get rid of my cat over something like this, but I need some ideas about what might be going on and what I might do about it. It's becoming a problem to live with. If you've been in a similar situation and found something that worked, I would really appreciate hearing from you! Thanks so much.

Answer 1

There are also other types of disease in older cats that can cause it. There is a disease of the Urethra that narrows the tube and causes discomfort and strain and sometimes it makes the cat feel like it has to go right now! It cant wait to get to the box. Crystalization in the urethra, bladder, and kidneys can cause peeing sometimes peeing with blood in it. The vet did some simple tests and ruled out one source. Some times it can be as simple as the change in the formula of the cat litter even if you used the same cat litter for years. The company might have decided to put in more fragrance and more clay. Making it dusty. Generally cat peeing outside a litter box is due to health reasons, or mental. Since you havent changed location, or type of litter and her routine is the same i dont think its mental, uinless shes SPRAYING the urine. Is she just squatting and peeing? or spraying on the walls? She is twelve thats getting older, Kidneys can be affected now so you might want the vet to check her renal functions. This will indicate a health Digestive system and can indicate bladder function and urine production. Can be a little pricey depending how far you want to test her. if its renal failure or dysfunction there may be no way of stopping that problem till she passes to kitty heaven. Cause it can render them Incontinant.

Answer 2

I had forgotten my "litterbox training" for cats many years ago. The behaviorist said that plastic boxes have only a two-year life span at best. The plastic picks up odors from bacteria that are not discernible to use and very discernible to the cat. So a $10 investment in new boxes might be worth a try.

Even my 22 yr old cat used the litterbox always so age doesn't have anything to do with it. I did have success with Dr. Elsey's Cat Attract litter for one reluctant user. I hate the litter as it clumps like cement and it did work.

Answer 3

I went through almost the same scenario. I would get another opinion if I were you. From what I can remember I was told that when an otherwise healthy, well behaved cat starts defefacting and urinating in inappropriate places it is an indication of either bladder or urinary problems and they will often urinate on a hard surface or hard/cold surface because for some reason it gives them a little relief. Mine even urinated in my bathroom sink once and another time on my kitchen cupboard. Turned out she had a bladder infection. Good luck I hope you find the answer but please keep in mind a change in behaviour like this is usually the result of a physical problem.

Answer 4

My old kitty has done that a few times, but usually only if she's mad about something (new cat, new human, moved, etc). If there haven't been household changes, I dunno.

You might try getting some "Good Cat". It's an herbal liquid supplement that is added to the water. It has no effect on animals that don't need it (or so the label says), so it can be added to community water. It is supposed to help de-stress a cat and help with urination issues, aggressiveness and a few other things. Might be worth a shot. I know Petco carries it... I think most pet stores do as well.

Answer 5

Did your Vet check for other things like diabetes? Also sometimes an infection doesn't show up easily. Did he send a sample off to a lab? A Vet couldn't find anything wrong with my one cat, until they sent a sample of his urine to be cultured at a lab. Turned out he had an E. coli bladder infection. So it could be worth it to get your cat checked again.

Answer 6

I had 3 old cats and it was happening once in awhile usually on anything plastic, like bas, table clothes and other things at times.
I dont know which one did the most damage, or never could figure out why..I think it could be laziness, or some people say marking their teritory.. why would u want to smell up your area....... good luck

Answer 7

Does she seem to pee her self or goes to the table or other places to pee? Have the litter boxes moved? She could just have loss of control due to her age, it also happenes in dogs. try putting her in the bathroom with a litter box and see if she still doesn't use it, she just might not be able to make it to the litter box on time.

Answer 8

You have a twelve year old cat! Wow, it's probably so old that it has become lazy and just takes a pee where ever it is not going to lay down. Does she fall asleep in odd places? if she sees a mouse or a bird will she make a attempt to catch it? Sounds like shes old.

Answer 9

This their way of speaking a choose or as a convention of love by utilising their heady scent to you as a fashion of marking you as somebody who ' belongs ' to them ; that's a compliment which you may desire to reply to by a rub or verbal acceptance . My pussycat acquaintances try this to me as a fashion of ' herding ' me into the the terrific option direction - the water or foodstuff bowl ! :0)

Answer 10

Maybe it's alzheimers.

Do cat's even get that?