Cat people - I need your advice

[SW FL Dem]

My cat Jamie just turned 16 At her checkup in January, she was in good shape, except for a thyroid condition that we are managing with medication. The problem is that Jamie refuses to use her litterbox. For the past few months, Jamie hasn't pooped in the litter box. She leaves it on the floor. Unfortunately, I have 3 dogs that think cat poop is a delicacy. In most cases, the poop is regurgitated and ends up on my carpet. Jamie will pee in the litterbox ONLY if the litterbox is pristine. If has been used, she will pee on any soft surface she can find. So far today she hit two dog beds and a load of clean laundry still in the basket. I clean her litterbox at least 3 times a day. I have several friends who have bought the automatic litter boxes and have been unhappy with them.

I am so tired of washing dog beds and rugs - I average 2 loads a day in addition to the normal family laundry. Last night my husband called Jamie an endangered species. I disagree. She still has quality of life and isn't in pain. I won't put her down until it is time, but I need some suggestions as to how to deal with the problem. Does anyone have an automatic litter box? Are they worth the money or do they jam and malfunction like my friends say they do? Jamie has always been an indoor cat, letting her out is NOT an option. HELP!

[texasmom]

1. No advice for you, but

I'm interested in your responses. My 18 year old inside cat has been peeing on the floor for the past few months. It's driving me crazy! I've been using Febreeze on the carpet, but I just don't understand what's going on with her. I guess it's old age. I feel the same way as you. Mine seems healthy and happy except for this change in her behavior.

[indie]

7. I had a maine coon

for 18 years. he was always an outside cat, but the last two years required a litter box inside. I think it was a major hassle for him physically to go out all the time to relieve himself (which ocured more often as he aged as well). also, as time went by the cleanliness of the box become an issue for him, and i found myself making sure that it was always clean. basically he turned into a senile old geezer who probably would have been content in a diaper. I miss him. deal with it, she's not gonna last forever.

edit: sorry, meant as a reply to original post.

[SW FL Dem]

9. Forget Febreeze

nature's miracle is better. You can get it at most pet stores. Oxiclean is also great for getting rid of the stain and the pee smell. I use a strong concentration, a scoop with 2 cups of water, but my carpet is almost white. If your carpet is colored, you need to do a test first to see if the solution is safe on your carpet. Pour the solution on and let it sit for 10- 15 minutes, then put a towel on top with something heavy on it. I keep a few glass jars of pennies for this.

[Piltdown13]

2. Don't have one myself,

But I have heard good things about the automatic litterboxes (Littermaid et al.), provided that the cat would be tolerant of your giving her a new "bathroom" at this late date.

I have to say, though, that if this inappropriate elimination behavior is a new thing, you may need to look at other issues. Since she appears to have had a good checkup her last visit to the vet, I wonder if there have been any major changes in the house that coincide with the new behaviors. Also, it couldn't hurt to check in with the vet again, emphasizing that she has continued to pee and poo outside her box consistently for however long it has been. Your vet may want to look her over again, run some other tests, etc.

[ScreamingMeemie]

3. I am not an expert by any means. I guess the only advice I can

give is to ponder how much this kitty means to you. My brother owns a 16 year old mutt who is pretty much blind and deaf. Zeke frequently messes on the floor. As long as he isn't in pain, my brother feels the clean up is a small price to pay for the last golden moments with a treasured friend.

Hugs to you. I hope you find a solution.

:hug: Laura

[Mrs. Venation]

4. Bertha And I Had A Littermaid Box

and we threw the damn thing away! It jammed; poop got stuck between the spindles on the sweeper thing, and the container for the swept up litter was too small and too damn hard to change.

It was a waste of money.

Did you talk to the vet about her inappropriate peeing? Our boy Richard did that for a while, and the vet put him on a mild dose of elavil, which seemed to help.

[aquart]

5. A change in litterbox habits

Is usually an attempt to call attention to a problem.

Have you taken her to the vet for this? How are her kidneys?

Something has changed. She's trying to tell you about it.

You might want to pick up a few boxes of incontinence pads. They're big, square Pampers, and they protect your furniture, dog beds, whatever.

[Kadie]

6. We had a similar problem here.

First of all, you might want to have her checked for a urinary tract infection. Our 17 year old has been battling this problems for the past few months. One of the signs is not using the box. The vet will need a urine sample.

As far as the poop, does she seem constipated? One of our other cats had chronic constipation and he would often miss the box due to the fact that he would walk as he was trying to do his thing.

Hope this may have been a little helpful.

Good luck.

[SW FL Dem]

8. Thanks

We've had Jamie tested for kidney failure and a UTI. She's in the normal range on both. It seems to be a behavioral issue. She's getting old and cranky.