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Elderly cat and strange toilet habits!?
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Just wondering if anyone has any experience of this or could possibly help figure out what's causing it. Might be a little gross...sorry.
I have a cat who is coming up to 16 years old, he's always been very clean but as of late that has completely changed, before I go any further he has been taken to a vet who said there is no medical reason for this new behaviour.
He has started pooping all over the place, he could spend ages outside and as soon as he comes in the house he will poo, sometimes not just once, the other day I had to clean up four piles of it within an hour, the back door was open so if wanted to go out he could've done.
It's getting quite annoying now because he has been house trained since he was a kitten, is it possible it's just because of his age? I can understand if is but I'm confused as to why sometimes he will specifically come in just to poop and then go back outside
I have a cat who is coming up to 16 years old, he's always been very clean but as of late that has completely changed, before I go any further he has been taken to a vet who said there is no medical reason for this new behaviour.
He has started pooping all over the place, he could spend ages outside and as soon as he comes in the house he will poo, sometimes not just once, the other day I had to clean up four piles of it within an hour, the back door was open so if wanted to go out he could've done.
It's getting quite annoying now because he has been house trained since he was a kitten, is it possible it's just because of his age? I can understand if is but I'm confused as to why sometimes he will specifically come in just to poop and then go back outside
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We had a cat that started to poop next to the litter tray in his final years, we used to have to put newspaper all round it. Not sure why he did it, I'm sure a touch of dementia was among his very numerous health problems (but the vet said that, despite everything, he wasn't in any discomfort and he was keen for food right up until the final day).
Have you got a litter tray for him? Maybe he doesn't like doing it outside anymore it is a bit cold at the moment.
Our oldest cat is 20, and so far, he generally uses the litter tray. There are occasional accidents, but I don't know whether to blame him or his 15-year-old mate! Fortunately he's never made a mess anywhere else in the house, he waits until he's allowed outside.
I think older cats do get a bit senile. Ours will go out of the cat door at the back, come round the front of the house, yowl on the doorstep until allowed back in, and then repeat the whole process! (He's just turned up there again now, howling away!
He does remember where his food bowl is, though, he still eats like a horse. He's very deaf now, so he won't come when he's called, but fortunately he sticks pretty close to home and to his routine.
Aww
Also, a good tip I read on here if he seems to be forgetting where his food bowl is,or losing his appetite, is to give him smelly foods such as sardines, as their sense of smell goes with age
Old cats are a bit like old humans, I suppose. Ours has a pretty good quality of life, and he can still defend himself and jump onto fences when necessary, he's just slowing down. He doesn't groom as well as he used to, so he's a bit scruffy as he won't let me brush him, otherwise he seems happy enough. If it did get to the stage of him being incontinent, though, I might have to think again. Hope it doesn't.
i suppose its a possibility that hecould be stressed too by the thing with your brother my two are very intuitive if i get upset and dont likeraised voices either hope he is ok x
I will update when there is any news from the vets.
Apparently no matter how much we attempt to groom him, as he can't do it himself it won't be enough, and rather disturbingly come summer time the matted fur could become infested with maggots. My dad and I have spoken about what is best for Tiger and have booked an appointment for later today to have him pts.
http://i41.tinypic.com/1zog50l.jpg
That's really sad, but I think you've made the right decision. When an animal gets to that stage, it's the kindest thing to do. Having had to clean up my cats after various bouts of digestive illness, it's really not something that you can do on a long-term basis, and it's distressing for the cat.
Tiger looks lovely. You will have lots of happy memories.
A fine cat. I am sure that the thoughts of all readers of this thread are with you at this time.
My dad stayed in with him, I cuddled him and made a fuss then went to sit outside. We buried him in his "sun spot", a little patch at the end of the garden where he used to spend the majority of the day during summer time.
I think maybe or I might just be slightly mad, but it seems that the dog and other kitty know. They sat on the patio watching when we were burying Tiger, both are nosey little things but neither of them have gone to investigate what we were doing, which is unusual for them.