Litter box problems and old age.
Litter box problems and old age.
Litter box problems can easily show up in a geriatric cat. It may be that
due to chronic renal failure or diabetes your cat simply can’t make it to the
box in time. Arthritis may make it too difficult for your cat to climb over a
high-sided box or perch in a covered box. She also may just not have the bladder
control she used to have.
With a decrease in activity and a less efficient digestive system,
constipation can also be a problem in older cats. Your cat may develop a litter
box avoidance problem because she associates the pain of constipation or a
urinary condition with the box itself. She may also need to eliminate right
where she is, even if it’s far from the box.
In a house with more than one cat, your geriatric cat may be ambushed in
the box or lose part of her claimed area to a young companion cat.
As your cat shows signs of advanced age, you need to reevaluate her
litter box situation and make these necessary modifications. Moreover, if the covered
litter box is creating discomfort, remove the lid, and if your arthritic cat
has difficulty getting over a high-sided box replace it with a low-sided one.
Use a litter scatters mat in front of the box if you’re concerned about how
much litter your cat may send flying all over the floor. Your older cat’s aim
may be a little off now and she may overshoot in the box. If she suffers from
arthritis, she may also be standing up more to urinate instead of squatting.
Use Catpaper – or any other similar product – under and around the box to
absorb any overspray. The Catpaper will protect your floors and carpet.
Increase the number of litter boxes and place them in more convenient
areas. This is a good example ofcorrect placement. As your cat ages, the more remote the box, the more
likely she’ll have trouble remembering where it is.
If your home has more than one level, have a litter box on each one in
case your older kitty has difficulty going up and downstairs.
Of utmost importance in older cats is to constantly check their health.
Therefore, when you scoop the litter box, use that as an opportunity to monitor
your cat’s health and look for signs of constipation or diarrhea. In addition,
check the size of the urine clumps. If the size seems to be increasing, your
cat may be in renal failure or may suffer from diabetes. If the urine clumps
are shrinking, she may have a urinary tract disorder or isn’t drinking enough
water. Either situation should be brought to your veterinarian’s attention
right away.
If your cat has become incontinent, or if she sleeps so soundly that she
sometimes urinates in her sleep, cover her sleeping area with towels. If she
does have decreased bladder control, examine her carefully because she may have
dried urine on her fur or urine scalds on her skin.
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