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The litter tray

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Original poster

Cat dementia?

11 replies

getupdressupandshowup · 01/02/2019 16:28

My old male cat, age 18 will not push open the cat flap any more. He'll resist being put out in the garden and as it's so cold I've relented months ago and put down a litter tray for him. We have other cats who still use the cat flap to leave the house to do their business. Our old cat will mostly use the tray for weeing and pooing. Sorry for TMI but sometimes the poo is semi liquid. Sometimes he'll walk the length of the kitchen, get right up to the tray, facing it and squat and do his poo. Fortunately he always wees in the tray but at least once per day the poo is on the floor close to the litter tray (usually overnight). I watch him like a hawk and I know it's him and not the other cats. Any advice about dealing with cat dementia? The cats have lived together for 12 years so i don't think there any issues over territory.
Thanks.

OP posts:
viccat · 01/02/2019 16:53

Has he been to the vet's to rule out any other illnesses? Could he have arthritis and find going through the catflap or squatting in the tray painful? Or there are some conditions that may have an upset tummy as a symptom such as hyperthyroidism.

My vet just recently recommended a supplement called Aktivait for senior cats with dementia symptoms, it seems to get good reviews online. But a full check up with blood and urine tests would be my first step always for a senior.

Original poster
getupdressupandshowup · 01/02/2019 17:31

I'm going to get him checked out by the vet this weekend. He seems happy, content and jumps up on to dining chairs frequently but perhaps if he has been asleep and then tries to move perhaps he is stiff in his joints. He's always been impossible for me to give him a tablet of any kind or putting in eye drops. It's 2 or 3 person job!! He's slimmer than he used to be but is eating normally. He perhaps drinks a bit more water than he used to. I'll write a list and consult the vet with him tonight if I can get an appointment or tomorrow. Thank you. I've read some articles and it seems cats can get a form of senility.

OP posts:
Plump82 · 01/02/2019 18:34

My cats 18 and i know when shes in pain when she misses her tray to poop. Shes on 2 painkillers just now but she still manages to poo right on the edge of her tray which is actually pretty skillful!

Original poster
getupdressupandshowup · 01/02/2019 22:58

This is the geriatric gentleman

Cat dementia?
OP posts:
Plump82 · 02/02/2019 04:06

Awww look at him. He just looks like a wee old man doesnt he!! My cats doesnt look her age at all. She must have good genes!

YourBasic · 02/02/2019 04:21

My cats are 14 and not very good with litter trays.

I have puppy pads next to the trays and they go on there for their poops.

Have you tried a lower brimmed litter tray? It may be too high for him to get into easily.

I think one of mine has dementia or is just the world's daftest cat but he's happy.

Original poster
getupdressupandshowup · 11/02/2019 12:27

I got out DCat checked out by vet. Sadly this particualr vet said he does not know 'that much' about older cats. He did check him over, listened to heart, lungs, felt all organs, checked his eyes, ears and teeth and did mobility checks on his hip joints. Vet said he is a healthy boy.
this weekend DCat has used the litter tray for every single wee but used different areas of the kitchen floor for all poos. I don't understand. If he can get over the edged of the litter tray for a wee why not for a poo? Any ideas?

OP posts:
Original poster
getupdressupandshowup · 11/02/2019 12:28

I put down mewspapers and puppy pad on all the areas he usually poos on and he chose to poo off the paper (on the floor tiles).

OP posts:
AnnaMagnani · 11/02/2019 12:35

I'd say you need him seen by a vet who knows a lot about older cats Hmm

Drinking more water can be a sign of common older cat illnesses like hyperthyroid which can also cause weight loss. Also older cats can have digestive issues which make it more difficult for them to absorb nutrients and may be responsible for his liquid poos.

I have an old lady who we thought was getting demented but was actually just slowing down and has perked up with a change of diet and a huge amount of fussing over.

Do you have a cat only vet near you?

ifonly4 · 11/02/2019 14:40

Good idea to get him checked. Poo coming out quicker can be a sign of hyperthyroidism and missing the tray could be due to general old age or arthritis. These two health issues are easily supported by the vet. Another issue could be a sensitive tummy in old age which a change of diet may help, maybe something for a sensitive tummy/grain free.

Wilko do some small puppy training mats whick might help with cleaning up if he'll go on them close to the tray.

ifonly4 · 11/02/2019 14:45

Sorry, just seen you've been to the vet. Also, the lovely photos. The last few months of my girl's life weren't that easy for different reasons and it's not nice to go through.

Firstly, is there another vet in the practice. Either way, a full blood test which will rule out many obvious things/or point towards them. Has he lost weight recently?

If anything medical can be rule out, you might have to put it down to old age/possible dementia and try and cope with it for as long as you reasonably can. He might have a good many years in him yet, but my girl slowly deteriorated over six months - it was hard to watch but well worth giving her what time I couldn.

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