Why does he do this?!

[BoobleMcB]

And how do I make him stop?!?!

So I'll try keep this as brief as possible. My circa 18y/o skinny old man has taken to pooing on the floor. In the living room. On the carpet.

He uses the litter tray and will poo in there (sometimes over the side because his aim is a bit off in his old age) but will then walk into to the living room and drop a further little parcel! Usually just a little nugget or two. Occaisionaly he will do full poo's on the carpet too, even if the tray is empty.

He sometimes does the same on the kitchen floor too (which is laminate so easier to clean).

I'm going out of my mind here, I can't put him out on a night because he's so skinny he wouldn't survive these cold night's but I got up this morning to let the other cat out and had a tiny poo in the tray, a full one and a blob in the living room, two blobs and a full one in the kitchen!

[Weedsnseeds1]

I think some of them just go a bit senile at that age to be honest. Have you taken him to the vet to do a check for physical causes?
A shallower litter tray might help too, if he's stiff and old, easier to get in and out.

[Wolfiefan]

Vet check would be in order.
If the tray is too high he may be struggling to get in.
Their paws can be extra sensitive and they may dislike rough litter.
They may not groom themselves well so poo can cling on.

[Want2beme]

I have no idea why they do it. My old boy who was PTS at the age of 20, did this all his life, not just beside the litter tray but anywhere he liked. My much younger female has done this all her life as well, always right beside the litter tray. I've given up stressing over it, but am very glad that most of my house has tiled floors.

[BoobleMcB]

He does use the litter tray though so it's not an issue with that (though obviously him going over the side of it could be, but he gets in and out of it fine. Just doesn't always have his bum in properly).

This morning he went in the tray - full poo. The walked past me in the living room and went to squat again by the door! I quickly shooed him out for a bit before he could deposit his extra bit.

I've not taken him to the vets and don't think there would be any point, he's happier now than he ever has been. He was a rescue cat and always very independent and definitely no a lap cat and often quite anti social. Now he follows me everywhere, has to be touching me (and even lies on me sometimes!) or near me or something of mine when I'm in. He will come for a tickle from almost anyone (even our 4yr old niece was able to touch him!). Like I say he's so settled now and not suffering or in pain. Plus he has a significant heart murmur so they wouldn't be able to do anything anyways. The trauma of the cat carrier and the vets would be extremely stressful and distressing for him.

If he was in pain/distress or unhappy or any other issues (blood etc) then of course I'd take him. I would never see him suffer. But I fear when he does eventually need a vet, I would be coming back without him 😢

[TheHodgeHeg]

Could you keep him in the kitchen at night so at least if he poos it's not on the carpet.

If you caught him in the act of pooing where he shouldn't I'd take him straight to the litter tray rather than shoo him out of the room (appreciate you may have tried this with no success).

[MilkTwoSugarsThanks]

Constipation? Thinks he's finished, leaves the tray then realises there's a bit more?

[BoobleMcB]

We don't have a middle door between our kitchen and living room. I think it's purely behavioural unfortunately 😠 #CatDementia