16 year old female cat urinating where she sleeps causes?

Question

Hi everyone my mum`s 16 year old female cat is urinating next to where she sleeps and on occasion has poo`ed there too. She has a cat litter tray about a 20 second walk from where she sleeps and is not using this unless she needs a poo.

She seems healthy enough and is eating ok and she seems happy enough.

My mum is going out of her mind having to clear up all the mess and would like to know if this is likely to be serious or something simple.

Thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

This is not uncommon in an elderly cat - the vet may be able to give her some medication to help her control her functions a bit better. Otherwise, your mum could try setting the cat's bed on newspaper to catch any messes, or ensure that the cat only sleeps in a bed on a hard, easily cleaned floor (not carpet) - such as in the kitchen, or utility room.

Answer 2

I think it's old age.  Humans have the same problem when they get old.

Answer 3

possibly a UTI, a trip to the vet for a checkup would be a good idea.

Answer 4

She may have a urinary infection.  It maybe because she is older.  My older cat did this and when I asked my vet he said that sometimes older cats can get their beds and boxes mixed up.

Answer 5

This is very likely a medical condition. This is exactly what most cats do when they have a problem. It's the only way they have to tell you something is wrong. Now it's your turn to act on the information she is providing you and resolve the problem, whatever that may be.

Have her checked for a UTI and then go from there.

Factors Contributing to Inappropriate Elimination

•  Medical Conditions: Cats avoiding the litter pan should be examined by a veterinarian to rule out a medical condition. Laboratory tests will need to be performed in most cases, however, if a condition does exist, immediate treatment will help resolve the behavioral problem. Possible medical conditions include: colitis, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver disease, or feline lower urinary tract disease (FLUTD). Medical conditions such as arthritis, FLUTD, anal sac disease, and some forms of colitis, which cause pain urinating or defecating may also result in inappropriate elimination

•  Stress: Cats of all ages experience stress at some point in their lives (just like us). Stress can be a major cause of inappropriate elimination, and known stressors such as moving, changes in routine, or changes within the family structure (new members added or family members leaving home) can result in inappropriate elimination. Reducing these stressors or decreasing their impact on the household will benefit your cat and you, too.

•  Box Location & Contents: Some cats may not like where their box is located; too close to their food or water, in a high traffic area, or on a different level of the house than where they spend most of their time. Some cats are very particular and will not defecate in the same box in which they urinate or go into a box which has been used by another cat. Most cats do not like a dirty litter box. Clean out waste from their litter boxes at least once daily, and wash the litter boxes weekly so that they don't decide to eliminate elsewhere in your home.

Answer 6

Mine did, the vet said she had a hormone deficiency (she is spayed), gave her oestrogen tablets.

Took a few days to kick in , but no probs now.  side effect (rare!!) = hair loss.  So dry cat, bald patches.  You win some, you lose some.

The carpet's ruined, but the pee smelled so I'm continuing the tablets.

Answer 7

my one cat did that. .  she was sick we tried everything (we had seen it before so we didnt take her to the vet. . . b/c we knew how much the treatment would be and we couldnt afford it)

anyway for me that's one sign that they're getting old and close to passing over. . . it is serious, if you want take the cat to the vet and see what they can do for her. there may be something they can do for the cat.