Elderly cat having accidents and smells (sorry if TMI)

[Notsoskinnyminny]

Our last remaining cat is almost 14 and has started having accidents - a mega wee on the bathroom mat followed by an enormous poo in his bed a couple of days ago - DH made the typical man-comment 'I'd be proud of that' rather than tackling it while me and DD were bauking.

This morning he was asleep on DDs bed and climbed in a box and started scratching she realised he needed to go out and carried him down but by the time she got to the bottom of the stairs he'd started pooing. Its not diarrhoea but his fur's got a horrible smell although he is grooming himself, if he was the dog we'd put him in the bath but i don't want to stress him.

I'm going to buy a litter tray and put it near his bed as we're wondering if he's struggling with the catflap. Any advice/suggestions?

[Monkeypuzzle32]

My cats 19 and is a little stinker because of age and some illness, definitely get a litter tray-put it somewhere with a bit of privacy. I've had to start bathing my cat as he had diarrhoea and also struggles to lift his leg up now-he is getting used to it and although he whinges he does prefer to be clean-just make sure you hold him securely under his stomach and pour warming water over his bottom area.
It's probably worth taking your cat to the vet too.

[viques]

Sympathies. Is he being menaced by another cat in his territory so making him reluctant to go out? Old girl sometimes does mega wee (honestly HUGE, I actually weighed the rubbish bag I had put all the paper towels in and it weighed 70 g, her poor little bladder must have been stretched to bursting) when her enemies are about. I now take her out last thing at night and she seems to last better, though the last few weeks have been stressful as we had builders in, so I did relent and give her a litter tray to ease the stress, but do not plan on keeping it. bought from Amazon btw, as big as I could find, and with a roof, though the flap on the front has broken off .

If he is smelly I would give him a quick bath. If you get everything ready first then dunk him in before he realises what is happening then it won't be too stressful and he will feel better for it.

[rumblingDMexploitingbstds]

If you have some clippers then gently trimming his bottom and the back of his legs short helps us, and the vet will also do it on the spot in about ten seconds. I have a long haired cat who's just incompetent rather than incontinent and I do just stand mine with back legs in the sink, use baby shampoo and rubber gloves and wash bum as needed, but with shaved bum its far less frequent.

[madgingermunchkin]

Take him to vet and get him checked out. It could be nothing, but it could be something.

[LivingInMidnight]

I agree about going to the vet. Saying that, last cat did this and it was just a sign that she wanted a litter tray. She was a tiny timid thing and I think she was too worried about being vulnerable outside. Was a bit annoying when she'd come in to wee and then go back outside though.

[cozietoesie]

Instal a couple of litter trays and take him to the vet, I reckon.

[Notsoskinnyminny]

Thanks everyone, I've picked up a litter tray and we're going to bath him tomorrow - he's not the friendliest of cats but he's in a happy, purry mood today so I don't want to upset him by dunking him in water! If he has another accident I'll take him to the vet and get him checked over.

[FuzzyWizard]

Cats feel vulnerable when they are going to the toilet which is why lots will come indoors to use a tray and then go straight back out. An elderly cat who is feeling less agile and more vulnerable should really have a tray indoors IMO, but then I have a mostly indoor cat that rarely wees outside and never poos anywhere apart from her trays. Litter trays aren't exactly pleasant but I see them as just being part of having a cat and definitely better than cat wee and poo on the floor or furniture. OP, your cat sounds like he's trying to find himself a safe indoor place to go so a tray would probably solve the problem.

[FuzzyWizard]

Cross posts. You might find he objects less to being showered than put in a bath. I had a scratchy nightmare cat when I was a teen and getting her in a bath filled with water was essentially impossible. She would just about tolerate being held still in an empty bath with the plug out by one person whilst another showered her. If the plug was in and the bath started to fill up then she'd go wild again.

[Notsoskinnyminny]

He's only gone to sleep in the litter tray! I'd get a photo but don't want to disturb him as he looks so comfy

[Monkeypuzzle32]

hahaha! take a pic-they are daft aren't they?!

[Wolfiefan]

I really wouldn't bath him. If he smells its worth a vet visit for a teeth check. Wees in the wrong place can mean a UTI. I have heard older cats can dislike sharp litter. He may also have trouble getting in a litter tray if it's got a high lip. Arthritis?