Old Cat Forgetting Her Litter Box Manners

[RPM]

She will be 18 next week.

I love her.

And I don’t know what to do about this.

For some time now she has occasionally pooped outside the box. I think she is starting in the box, and then dropping off a bit after she leaves it, because once a month or less often I will find a little turd somewhere else in the apartment.

Thank goodness she still pees in the litter box every time!

I don’t like the misplaced pooping but I have been putting up with it because I love her.

She has no symptoms of pain or upset or any other problems; I think it’s just an age thing.

But today when I went to take a shower I found a whole pile of poop in the corner of the shower; obviously she hadn’t even bothered to go to the litterbox but somehow thought the shower was an appropriate alternative.

Then, late this afternoon, I noticed two little poops on the arm of the sofa.

Now, I eat on this sofa. I have food around it.

I told her she has gone too far and has got to stop this.

Right, like she understood me.

What can I do? I hate the idea of confining her to a room because she would hate it. She is a high-strung little girl and at her age I can’t do this to her.

I can try to watch her and if she starts to poop outside the box I can try to grab her and take her to it, but I doubt we could make it in time. She would get very upset if I tried to treat her like a puppy and take her to the litterbox at intervals. I want her to LIKE the litterbox, not learn to hate it!

Any ideas? I consider poop just poop, not hazmat. On the other hand, I don’t want it where I sit, eat, walk, sleep …

[BUSY]

Sometimes / oftentimes due to constipation - hard stools / straining.
Takes too long to make a ‘deposit’ / difficult to remain in the box.
Miralax on wet food should help if dry/ hard stools is the cause.
Hope she is back to normal soon and making ‘regular deposits’ in the correct place.

[Simkie]

[QUOTE=BUSY;8528110]
Sometimes / oftentimes due to constipation - hard stools / straining.
Takes too long to make a ‘deposit’ / difficult to remain in the box.
Miralax on wet food should help if dry/ hard stools is the cause.
Hope she is back to normal soon and making ‘regular deposits’ in the correct place.[/QUOTE]

Yep, good advice!

Also consider your litter box. Is it easy for her to get into? Does she have to jump? Is it in a location where she can just walk in?

She may be arthritic, and it may be hard for her to physically GET into the box. A box with lower side or a door cut out as low as possible might help. I’ve read that some people go to potty pads for the aged or otherwise infirm kitties.

And (I’m sure you have this covered, but would be remiss in not mentioning) make sure the box is clean, clean, clean. Some kitties just get VERY particular. Had a friend whose cat refused to poop in box that had even been used ONCE. She wound up with 3-4 boxes, all lined up in a row, that she cleaned 2x/day, so Miss Kitty always had a clean place to potty.

[french_fry]

I know you’re being facetious about her forgetting her manners, but cats don’t go outside the box to deliberately misbehave, make our lives harder, or spite us.

Cats go outside the box because it hurts to go, they don’t feel safe/comfortable going in the litterbox, or they found a more comfortable/convenient place to go.

Based on the background you gave, I bet she’s hurting or straining somewhere.

[RPM]

I was not being facetious. I did not say she was doing it to make a point. I said I think it is an age thing; I think she is FORGETTING. As in having lapses as sometimes happens when one is as old as she is. Where you got the idea I thought she was doing this to be contrary, I don’t know.

Maybe she is straining but I see no evidence of it. When I see her in the box she is not obviously straining. She uses the box for peeling, as I said.

I think it is just age-related forgetfulness or absent-mindedness. But what do I do about that? That was my question.

I appreciate the idea about possible constipation. I may try something laxative. But I don’t want to be cleaning loose stools in inappropriate places!

I keep the box clean. She has no trouble getting in and out. Nor does she have trouble jumping up on the furniture or the kitchen counter or climbing the curtains. She seems to feel fine.

I just don’t want her to make a habit of pooping in odd places and I want to know how to help her make sure she finishes where she started.

[BUSY]

This worked for my older cats ``` washing machine tray $25.00

I purchased a washing machine tray from large hardware store.
It’s 30 x 32 and has a lip of maybe two inches high… very low for easy entry and exit.
It is tough plastic…fill with litter and my cats were able to easily get in and out and had more than enough area to strain…push and deposit their stool.
The washing machine trays are white and generally $25.00.

• Made a world of difference for my two old girls ~ hope this helps.

Miralax * if stools are very dry but consult your vet on the correct dosage for your size / weight cat.

[RPM]

There is a Lowe’s very near me and also an Ace. I will try them for washing machine trays. I had never heard of such a thing before reading your post, BUSY. What exactly is a washing machine tray?

My litter box is the biggest one from the pet store. It has fairly high sides because this same kitty occasionally misses her aim when she pees so a lower-sided box doesn’t keep it in. But your tray sounds worth going to take a look at.

We went through a problem 4-5 years ago when she did not like our living situation and peed and pooped out of the box on purpose because it was her only way of telling me she wasn’t happy. As soon as we got out of that situation she never had a problem again, until now. But she was only 13-14 then!

Could canned pumpkin have a laxative effect? I have read it is good for hairballs. I cannot find a good hairball treatment anymore, not one the kitties will eat. Laxatone, Petromalt,etc., were so handy to use and apparently yummy but I can’t find them anymore.

Thank you all for your helpful ideas.

[BUSY]

more detail & be brave

The washing machine tray is shallower than shallow and may not work for your cat.
My cats were 15 yo and both heavy but still agile… the washing machine tray just gave them more room to walk / push and thus more time to ‘pinch off the loaves’ :lol::winkgrin: in the correct place!
I placed some carpet squares or strips under and around the tray to catch any scattered litter… to be vacuumed periodically. Litter will happen ! :eek: but better than $hit :yes:

Please ‘google’ washing machine trays or go to Lowe’s website and call up a picture … this will scare :eek: you at first but just think about it …it works as it gives the cat more area…and only lightly service the tray with litter and place litter in the middle of the tray ``` think a small mound very different from regular litter box … tray is * 30x32
SHALLOW ! designed to catch leaks under washing machines just a tray.

I am now using one for my 20 year old cat who is a bit constipated at times and likes to :eek: stroll as she goes :eek:!!!

Pumpkin I have never used … mine would not get near it.

again the tray is scary at first and it may not work in the a space you have but it worked nicely here … then and now …

** make sure you thoroughly clean and remove the scent where she went before because she will try to re-visit those spots to ‘dump’:eek:again … I’d put something in her way … books…anything to make those spots ‘occupied’ …

Good Luck hope this helps !

[RPM]

Thanks! Your description explained the trays well – I have seen one in its “intended” use just never thought what it might be called.

I like the “stroll as she goes” description. I am sorry to say that I am glad my girl is not the only kitty who does this. Since she no longer comes into the shower when I’ve finished in it, I sprayed orange Lysol in there yesterday to discourage, disinfect, and smell nice (don’t like chemical scents but it’s not bad).

[shezabrazenmare]

I’ve found, with my very old (older than 18) cats, that often there are UTI problems so I give mine cosequin daily.

I also bought the clear plastic containers at walmart and target. You can get them with low sides and they have a large area for more room for an arthritic cat to move around as well as the low sides so kitty can easily enter and exit the container. And a lot cheaper than $25.

For constipation, give a little Mirilax (Miralax?) in water daily. It softens the stool without giving a cat diarrhea. I do this for one of my old cats.

[Louise]

I’ll third the Miralax. I have used it on a couple of cats. Give your vet a call and check what dosage they would recommend. I had one senior cat who was constantly constipated until, on vet’s guidance, I started giving her 1/4 teaspoon mixed in her morning and evening food. If your cat won’t eat wet food, you can mix it right with the dry and it will stick to it. As it has no flavor, the cats eat it right along with the food.

I have a cat now who has hard little stools naturally. I keep an eye on her, and if they get too hard, she gets a 1/4 teaspoon in her AM food until I see the situation improve. Pumpkin, by the way, does nothing to alleviate the problem with this cat.

In neither instance, on the Miralax, did the cats get loose messy stools It just softened the stools up a bit and made them easier to pass. If you gave them too much, eh, maybe then, which is why I would check with your vet first.

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

I have an elderly cat who is peeing and pooping in her sleep. She now wears diapers…I cut the tail hole out and keep her clean. I’ve tried to see if she will use her box when she doesn’t have the diaper on, but she is just not waking up to use the litterbox. She is ancient but still is queen and goes up and down the stairs with ease…just a little stiffness…just not in time to the litterbox! This has really eased the household stress and I wish I had thought of it before (btw, google cat diapers…you will be amazed!)

[BUSY]

Great information ! Thanks Jackie & Starlette ! Appreciative !

Thanks for this information Jackie & Starlette !
Though, I hope never to need it :lol::winkgrin:

Jackie & Starlette;8528625]I have an elderly cat who is peeing and pooping in her sleep. She now wears diapers…I cut the tail hole out and keep her clean. I’ve tried to see if she will use her box when she doesn’t have the diaper on, but she is just not waking up to use the litterbox. She is ancient but still is queen and goes up and down the stairs with ease…just a little stiffness…just not in time to the litterbox! This has really eased the household stress and I wish I had thought of it before (btw, google cat diapers…you will be amazed!)

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

[QUOTE=BUSY;8528635]
Thanks for this information Jackie & Starlette !
Though, I hope never to need it :lol::winkgrin:[/QUOTE]

You are welcome! If she was ready to cross over, then I would have her pts, but she’s not there yet. Never had a cat do this, but she is Siamese…

[BUSY]

Know you are doing all you can for her ~ you are two ‘lucky’ girls to have one another !

[QUOTE=Jackie & Starlette;8528731]
You are welcome! If she was ready to cross over, then I would have her pts, but she’s not there yet. Never had a cat do this, but she is Siamese…[/QUOTE]

[RPM]

[QUOTE=Jackie & Starlette;8528625]
I have an elderly cat who is peeing and pooping in her sleep. She now wears diapers…I cut the tail hole out and keep her clean. I’ve tried to see if she will use her box when she doesn’t have the diaper on, but she is just not waking up to use the litterbox. She is ancient but still is queen and goes up and down the stairs with ease…just a little stiffness…just not in time to the litterbox! This has really eased the household stress and I wish I had thought of it before (btw, google cat diapers…you will be amazed!)[/QUOTE]

Thanks! I will check them out! How old is your kitty? I am glad you two have each other!

Running errands today–will check out Miralax and trays and maybe diapers if near pet store.

All well today so far – woke to proper poops in litter box and thought I heard someone in there in the night.

[Kimstar]

Have you had the cat’s anal glands checked as sometimes this can cause an issue with defecating?

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

Ancient…she’s in her late teens. And the diapers are human…size 1 LOL! I don’t think they are at petstores!

[candyappy]

[QUOTE=RPM;8528356]

I think it is just age-related forgetfulness or absent-mindedness. But what do I do about that? That was my question.

I just don’t want her to make a habit of pooping in odd places and I want to know how to help her make sure she finishes where she started.[/QUOTE]

My in-laws cat started doing this too. He was 19. He was normally an outside cat but they would bring him in for the coldest winter months as he got older.

He always used the box until the last year. Despite it being clean and in the normal spot , he would insist on going in a corner of a completely different room.

He wasn’t in pain and his stool was normal. He had no problems climbing and jumping on stuff either. Unlike you they were not willing to clean it up wherever they found it.

I truly believe that at 18 you are dealing with the results of advanced age. She is old and just forgets or she has the urge to go and can’t make it to the box so goes where she happens to be.

I think you know what your choices are and if she continues to urinate reliably in the box you can go on indefinitely as you are, just hoping you don’t step or sit on anything.

Might be a vet check up is in order too.

[cayuse]

My mom’s cat is around 18 or 19 and she does this sometimes.
She is prone to constipation and she is another one who gets miralax daily. I also thought maybe your old girl had a UTI. Jingles that you get it sorted out.
Oh, have you change the brand of litter that you use? I have one that “shoots” his pee out over the edge of the box if I don’t use one the specific brand of litter he approves of.