Cat pooing outside litter tray

[snowgirl1]

In the last few weeks our cat, who used to happily use the litter tray, has started pooing outside the litter tray. Today, there was free litter but he still had two poos outside the litter tray - but had a wee in the litter tray. We also have a cat flap, so he really has no excuse for pooing in the house. We have a 3 year old DD so I really need to get this resolved - any suggestions?

[chockbic]

How old is he? Has anything changed such as environment, type of litter?

[cozietoesie]

Yes - how old is he?

[snowgirl1]

He's 13 and about 4 years ago we had to get a litter tray as our other cat suddenly started weeing in the house (on carpets and beds). Until then, the cat had always gone outside, but when we had a litter tray inside he started using it too. There's been no change in litter and no change in environment.

[cozietoesie]

Ah. I was thinking about arthritis - very often, pooing outside the box is a sign that they've got it. (The high poo squat becomes uncomfortable and maybe they start to associate the tray with that pain etc.) Maybe have a read of this for background? Do any of the symptoms ring bells?

By the way - did I pick up that you only have one tray for the two cats? You probably need two or three if they're doing their duty inside. That might be a contributory factor because they can sometimes be right picky about using a tray that's already soiled.

I'd have him up to the vet - and your other cat also if they're of an age.
.

[snowgirl1]

Cozietoesie thanks - arthritis may be a possibility. He's definitely not grooming as much as he used to and needs to be brushed or is getting tufty lumps. Looks like a trip to the vet is in order. Frustrating as he's so bad tempered when taken to the vet that he has to be sedated - which is no fun for him or my bank balance

Thanks for the suggestion of more trays, we do have two litter trays. Maybe we should try a third, just to see if that makes any difference.

[cozietoesie]

Not grooming as well makes some arthritis seem more likely I think. Seniorboy is just too stiff to do much of the hard graft these days although he still attends to his most personal hygiene.

He was put on meloxicam a few years back which - along with a stool softener - has made a huge difference to him. About 10 months ago he had also to start some supplemental meds (as noted in the guidance I linked to) because the meloxicam, while good, just couldn't totally cope. He has a good few years on your two though.

Be warned that if they haven't been taken very recently, the vet will likely want to do eg bloods - but then a full checkup is no bad thing for an older cat.

Good luck anyway.

[snowgirl1]

Thanks cozietoes , I hope there's an alternative to medication if it is arthritis related as DCat is impossible to give medication to - he gets so stressed and so do I , fights and scratches. DCat had bloods and all sorts done last year as he had an operation for hyperthyroidism, hopefully this pooping outside the litter tray isn't related to a return of hyperthyroidism.

[cozietoesie]

The meds that Seniorboy has are liquid and go in food - and he's a fussy pill-phobic devil so thank goodness for that. He couldn't have coped with a pill regime but has tolerated the liquid add-ons even at his age.

It was just a thought in any case because Seniorboy's previous vet was very active for older animals and when she heard that he was having some poo accidents outside his tray and had done a bit of judicious poking/asked some questions about his behaviour, she Hmm'd and said 'Probably arthritis....we'll try the meds and see.' And they worked.

He still has the very occasional accident - maybe once a month/couple of months but I think that they are if he gets at all constipated and starts getting desperate. He nearly always uses his tray again these days like a good 'un.

(That link I gave you includes lots of suggestions for environmental assists as well, though, and many of those we've incorporated into his daily living arrangements - might be a good idea for you to review those?)

[snowgirl1]

Cozietoesie thanks, good to know there's a liquid medication if it does turn out to be arthritis.