Now the Christmas tree is up it's open house for weeing and more on the floor .

[peridito]

Any tips ?

Two elderly cats ,4 litter trays . Two of which are used as " markers" for weeing/pooing in the vicinity .

We're in an upstairs flat ( with cat flap and access to garden ,not used much in their declining years ) and have carpets .

I'm a liberal user of puppy training pads around the litter trays . These can be deemed to be an alternative to the litter tray in which case I'm lucky .Or not as attractive as the carpet next to them .In which case I'm not .

Short of turning the property into some faux medieaval dwelling by removing all floor coverings and strewing rushes throughout ,what can I do ?

Replace the carpet with Amtico or similar. You're already doing everything I would have suggested. If this carries on you are going to either have to get rid of the cats or the carpet anyway ...

I can't afford that option but am seriously thinking of cutting the carpet to resemble a rug and infilling the edges .

Have the cats had a check up at the vet's recently, especially a full senior blood and urine test panel? Going outside the litter tray can be linked to health issues, such as kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, in elderly cats.
Or a urinary tract infection, which can affect cats of any age.

Yes to recent check ups .

Spot on viccat one has kidney disease and one has hyperhtyroidism ( despite having both thyroids out ).Both on medication .

They're not being "caught short" though ,they squat right next to the litter tray . Could that still be linked to health issues ?

Although it's not new behaviour I think any change heightens it .And of course it's hard to eradicate any trace of previous missplaced weeing .

Perhaps another trip to the vet is called for .

The one with kidney issues does seem to produce massive wees .

Could it be linked to the litter you use? Can you get a soft sandy litter? If you don’t already use that? If they find it uncomfortable, that might be why

I've had the same litter for over a year and not had the issues I'm having now so I don't think it's that .

I do think they require the litter to be fresh all the time though .

My previous cat who had kidney disease was also prone to urinary tract infections, so that could potentially be contributing. She also seemed to occasionally forget where her litter box was or how to use it - cats can get dementia too... A supplement called Aktivait can help with dementia/general brain function for senior cats.

Another thought - are the litter trays high sided? Harder or more painful for an older cat to climb into?