16 year old cat taken to weeing and pooing indoors

[ThespianTendencies]

Why? He can get out as we have a cat flap and he does go out sometimes. But more and more often he will pee or poo indoors and it is so frustrating! Is it an age thing? He is very agile still and seems healthy for an older cat but I am at a loss as to what to do. Should I just get a litter tray for him so he can at least do his business in an acceptable place? Thank you all and have a Happy New year.

Interested in replies also, our nearly 4 year old cat has taken to doing this recently

Even when she was a kitten she never messed in doors we have had absolutely no trouble with her until the last month or so, she seems to have become almost agoraphobic.

I googled lots of sites and every suggestion I found did not relate to DCat except possibly something has frightened her outside and she has decided its just not for her anymore,

I physically put her out just now (she used to ask ...never does now) she gets very cross and has already trained the neighbours to knock our door if she has been out too long in her opinion (anything longer than 5 mins at the moment) I don't actually leave her out very long in case she is genuinely scared just long enough to hopefully do some business and if she hasn't found a sympathetic neighbour I call her in. I do not want her to be scared but she has to go to the loo sometime.

My other hope is it is just too cold for her royal highness and maybe when it warms up this will all be forgotten until next winter!

Yes you need a litter tray. This often happens as cats get older. They find going out more of a trial. And they don't like the cold/wet/hard ground/muddy ground/scary cat belonging to the neighbours.

You always have to be prepared to have a tray, even when you have a cat flap. It's possible for cats to go all their lives without needing one, but many, many will.

@ProudAunty2nine So you have no tray and no flap? Well no wonder you have a problem. Poor cat. Cats can't just hold it the way dogs seem to be able to. You absolutely have to get a tray. You have been extremely lucky that she seemed to be able to manage before. And even if she did hold it that still causes stress.

You can get very good litter tray alternatives now! One does automatic cleaning - it looks like an igloo

All cats should have a tray indoors.
Older cats can hide pain very well. They may struggle to get into a litter tray at the other end of the house (in time) or to get in if it has high sides. They may find the litter too sharp on their paws.
Older cats may struggle with the cold and wet and so not want to go out to toilet.

Our elderly cat did this towards the end, she would wee on the bottom shelf of the bookcase and we had to throw it away in the end. She wouldn’t use a litter tray as she never had before. No advice but I imagine it is common.

Yes please do wish my bloody neighed did

Older cats do this when it's too cold outside for them. An indoor litter tray would be best.

It’s an age thing, mums cat who’s 16 also had started to do this, he was previously extremely clean but mum got him a tray as he uses it.

@Fantasisa In that case puppy training pads can often be a solution - should you ever find yourself in that position again.

This happened with my cat when he got to around 16 as he got more scared outside sometimes and maybe his bladder wasn’t what it was. I got him a litter tray with fancy odour control litter and he was much better and lived to almost 19.

Nearly all of my cats when they got to this age didn't want to go out to go to the toilet especially at night. It would be like sending your old granny to an outside loo at the end of the garden.
They just don'twant to get cold. I'd get a litter tray.
Also if they are developing a health problem that cuases excessive urination or pooing like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism then the old cat might not be able to make it outside in time.
I'd get an elderly cat blood screening. 16 is a good age for a cat.