Right-been passed this cat because the owner had to go into a home. This cat is about 15/16 maybe- its still pretty lively-it gets about but obviously doesn't have the athleticism to catch a bird or something.

I have a few problems with it. Before when he was with his owner- as the owner couldn't really get about this cat got into bad habits of well-going toilet where it likes. Now as he does this he has to be confined to a utility bit when hes in. This utility bit is covered with newspaper- and has a litter tray due to this problem. He doesn't use the litter tray however, and still poos where he chooses. (he does have bladder control still) This has included well- pooing in a sink. Anywhere but the actual litter tray.

Second problem is when he goes out- which he does enjoy. He has a tendency to occasionally sit in the middle of a sometimes busy road. Which obviously the concern is he is going to get run over.

So looking for any advice really. I think I'd have no problems keeping it in all the time to stop him going out in the middle of the road- the problem is him avoiding a little tray and pooing wherever. If that can be sorted that would well- stop the possibility of giving it away- where I'm sure he wouldn't be too happy in a cats and dogs home.

Well done for taking this cat on not many people will take a elederly one on. He could be unsure of his new surroundings. Also how long did he do this before you got him. He also might be using the paper as an added litter tray did he do this with his previous owner. Have you other animals and if you have has he ever lived with them before. Some cats are very lazy with the litter tray. How far is his food dish and bedding away from it. Is it the same litter as before as if it is he might not like it. With the sitting in the road my cat does it just sits down has a wash and walks off. If he is out i dont think you can stop this unless you keep him in doors all the time. I would spray the room where he staying where he is pooping with some sort of citrus spray make sure you wipe away any residue and completly dry before you let him come back in. The bed and litter tray away from each other and also the food dish as well. As a last resort you could try a product called feliway its a plug in the lets of a scent that is supposed to calm cats and at the same time the feliway spray. It worked for my brothers cats. Sorry if there is a lot of questions but i will help and give adivce but i need to know a bit more.

You say he 'goes where he chooses'. He probably cannot help going whenever or wherever he needs to. At that age, he's no doubt got kidney problems and a trip to the vet's to obtain blood tests to determine how much of a problem he has would be a wise move.

He perhaps also has dementia if he's sitting in the middle of the road, or more serious problems. I'd keep him as a house-cat or supervised-garden cat from now on although such problems do manifest themselves in the lastest stages of life, so be warned.

One of my former cats used to sleep in the middle of the road. I was always picking him up and moving him. Luckily in those days there were few cars about but he did get run over at 17 as he was hiding under a visitor's car who was staying at the bungalow over the road. Poor thing.

I think it best these to keep old senile cats indoors or in a garden.

This sounds like a friends elderly cat that, while perfectly healthy physically, has cognitive dysfunction - as in senile. Especially lying in the road. My mum had to take this cat home one day as it wouldn't move from the road. And my mum is allergic to cats.

They have coped by making this previously very street savvy cat into a house cat and putting litter trays in her' favourite' places. They still get the odd accident but use biological washing liquid to clean up (there are pet specific alternatives from Pets @ Home etc)

They did get the cat checked by their vet and continue to take her at fairly reasonable intervals. But so far physically everything is in working order. In her case, mental deficiency is the answer. In your case a vat check might reveal a physical problem that can be managed better.

Good on you for taking kitty in

I would echo what has been said, make it an indoor cat , its getting on a bit , and if you have the room and buy some activity toys for it it can be just as lively inside as out . And as you say its sitting in the road which is a recipe for disaster, I think its worth a few grumpy weeks of getting the cat used to being indoors instead of having a nasty accident.

As for the loo issue , it maybe a medical issue which you should chek out with a vet, a UTI is a common reason for peeing all over the place . Or it could be its unsettled due to its new home and missing its owner. Also check with the old owner what type of litetr they used, the cat could be unsettled by too many changes at once.

I am sure with a bit of perserverance and plenty of TLC for your new friend you will get things ok

Sounds just like my mother's ex-cat. When he got to about 17 he used to sit in the road, car drivers had to stop their cars and get out and move him. He did this till he died of kidney failure at 20.

Re the toileting problem, at his age I doubt you will change his habits. However the fact that he is pooing outside the tray but weeing in it (from what you say) may mean it is the litter he is objecting to. Try a different litter - they usually prefer fine grained (there is more pressure on their paw pads when pooing, and the litter may be hurting his paws). If that does not work, the best you can do is to continue to confine him to an area where he can do least damage.

It may be worth a vet trip, to ascertain if he has any treatable physical problems.

You mention in your last line sending him to the "cats home" - please be aware that the majority of animal charities would have him put to sleep as it would be virtually impossible to rehome a cat this age - and with these toileting problems it would be absolutely impossible. In which case you may as well take him to the vet yourself to be PTS.

Thanks all for the advices. Will try some of these.