Ask a PetDoc: 10-year-old cat develops a litter box problem late in life
Question: 10-year-old cat develops a litter box problem late in life
Dr. Jim,
My male cat is almost 10 years old. Three weeks ago, he started pooping on the rug/carpet in the bedroom. We closed off the bedroom door. He then started pooping on a rug in the living room. We then started picking up the small rug at night. This morning, we awoke to not only poop on the larger area rug, but urine also. We have never had a problem with this. He was fixed at about 6 months old. He is in good health. We have had another cat the same amount of time. No new animals have been introduced into the house. He has always had an attitude problem. I feel for some reason he has been acting out. He gets treats, plenty of attention, and has lots of toys. We are at our wits end on what to do. Please help!
Thank you,
Heather
Dr. Jim says:
Hi Heather,
The first thing I would suggest is to make sure that any soiled areas are cleaned and any odor neutralized. Spot deep cleaning with a carpet cleaner will help and then soak the area with a solution of baking soda. Use a couple of tablespoons of baking soda in a cup of warm water, pour on the soiled area, allow to soak in, take up the excess with paper toweling, then let the area dry. Repeat if needed.
It may simply be a matter of attitude as you indicated he has had a problem in the past. Just to be sure he is in good health – have him checked by your veterinarian. Take a stool sample to the appointment and have your veterinarian determine if there are any internal parasite issues. While not probable it is best to eliminate parasites as a possible cause.
Abnormal elimination behavior can be caused by changing diets or by the manufacturer changing ingredients. Check the current product label against the old label or call the manufacturer to see if any change, including source of ingredients, has occurred.
While it may seem strange, another thing to determine is what new things, like furnishings or rearrangement of existing furniture has occurred. Some animals become disturbed by changes in their routine resulting in behavioral changes. A recent issue for my daughter was bringing crutches in since she had surgery. Both her dog and 2 cats have had issues because of my daughter's change in activity and the post-surgical appliances that have been added to the household.
The last thing to do is determine if any of the carpet areas have a foam rubber non-slip backing as some of these non-slip materials may smell like cat urine, indicating to your kitty that it is as good a place as the litter box.
Dr. James Sokolowski, DVM, PhD is a veterinarian with 40 years in the pet industry. He has appeared extensively on radio and TV including CNN, Fox, ABC and other national and local radio and TV programs. Dr. Sokolowski is a recipent of veterinary professional awards for his contributions to the veterinary profession. Read his full bio here.
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