Old Cat having a funny turn

[AdelindSchade]

Cat is 18. She keeps getting on the work surface and going as if she is going to go to the toilet. I keep putting her in the tray but she is getting out and back up onto the bunker. While I was typing this she tried to go on the back of the couch. We have had a couple of poos inappropriate places recently which I put down to dementia. Don't understand why she is getting out of the litter tray though. We have open plan kitchen and no way to stop her getting up really but it's rather stomach churning.Don't know if she's constipated or something.Don't know what to do. She absolutely hates travelling so vet is only for life or death things.She has just been sick as well although that's not unusual.

[MsMims]

I'd ask the vet for a home visit to check there isn't a physical problem first. She could have a UTI which is making her associate the litter tray with pain, and that won't get better without medication. Best to get her checked over, especially given her age.

[cozietoesie]

Is she peeing in her tray OK?

[SirVixofVixHall]

My cat did this when he had a urine infection. She could have a UTI, or bladder crystals, or a bowel issue. Vet needs to check her out, I would take her in first thing and get a urine sample if poss. Hope she's ok.

[RubbishMantra]

She may have had a painful experience in her litter tray, which is putting her off using it.

Could be due to a plethora of reasons - ranging from UTIs or arthritis or have you changed her brand of litter recently? One that is very soft for sensitive paws is World's Best, which can be bought online from Zooplus. You could try the new litter in another tray, keeping the current one in place.

If she's an indoor/outdoor cat, is her flap locked at night once she's indoors, to prevent interlopers? Or if she's alone during the day, a Sureflap (microchip activated) will allow her access in and out, yet prevent other cats coming in. The stress of which could be making her poo in higher up places.

Have you tried a Feliway plug in diffuser?

If she were my cat, I'd be making an appointment with the vet though.

[thecatneuterer]

I'm guessing urine infection too. Is she peeing in her tray OK?

[AdelindSchade]

Thank you yes that makes sense. I will call the vet. She is better this morning - very settled- but still no poo in the tray. Not sure if she is weeing in there or not tbh.

[AdelindSchade]

Actually I changed the litter yesterday because it smelled. DH was puzzled as he said he only changed it day before so that might also point to uti.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Good to get her urine and kidney function checked, even if she seems a bit better.

[AdelindSchade]

She has been to vet a day had bloods done. I await the results today. Thanks all.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Hope all is ok.

[AdelindSchade]

Thank you. All is ok except for thyroid. Nothing too nasty.

[Vinorosso74]

Good you found out and can be managed. 18 is a good age too especially if she's been ok until now.

[SirVixofVixHall]

Thyroid problems are very common in older cats. Good that's all that's wrong.