Elderly cat rarely stopped using litter tray

[TattiePants]

I posted a couple of months ago about my almost 19 year old cat refusing her usual food. I got lots of helpful advice so thought I'd ask for some help with another issue.

She's predominantly an indoor cat so has always used a litter tray. In the last year she has had the occasional poo on the floor next to the litter tray but it's usually been when we haven't been quick enough to clean the tray. However, over that last few months, most of her poos have been on the floor and instead of being next to the tray, are in various places round the hall. Great if you aren't careful coming downstairs on a morning! Then over the last couple or weeks, she's started to poo in the lounge and dining room but in really random places - on the sideboard, on a dining room chair, on a stair etc.

She has a newish litter tray which is regularly cleaned and she has no problems getting into it as that's where she does most of her wees. She seems in perfect health given her age but we will be taking her to the vets later this month for a check up. Any suggestions as I don't really want to lock her out of rooms as she has her preferred spots to sleep in?

Just realised my title makes absolutely no sense! Meant to add, we've always used the same cat litter so there's been no changes there.

I suspect that this is a veterinary issue, especially if nothing has changed in her environment.

Our cat is about 17/18. In her case when she started having toilet issues she had cystitis which I understand is really painful. She has had it twice and in each case it presented slightly differently but were around going to the toilet. The vet sorted her out really quickly. Based entirely on that experience, I am no expert, I would suggest taking yours to the vet earlier than they were otherwise due to go.

It's a tricky one. My elderly cat now RIP pooed under the sofa for the last 5 years of her life. It was a combination of arthritis, liver disease and old age urgency to go. I had to have litter trays upstairs and downstairs to prevent it in the end. About 4 of them and shed do her very best to get there in time bless her but she was the equivalent of 110 years old and what person that age can manage the toilet on thei own.

She definitely has arthritis as she struggles to groom her right side now and is a bit stiff when she gets up after a long sleep. I was secretly impressed that she'd managed to jump onto the sideboard! I don't think it's age urgency as she spends very little time in the dining room so seems to be going in there specifically to poo. Also (touch wood), she hasn't pooed upstairs and does spend quite a bit of time up there.

I was trying to put off a vet visit until after 23rd as we are currently trying to juggle both having major work deadlines and GCSE help for our child with SEN. Obviously she would become a priority if we thought she was ill / in pain.

Mine has decided that peeing in the food cupboard is acceptable, she has dementia. We are thinking we will have to get a lock as sgmhe can open the door. The unhygenienic nature of this is driving me mad.

Have you tried changing the litter, perhaps something softer to make it more comfortable for her. Also, try putting more litter trays around the house so if she feels the need to go urgently she has one nearby. Good luck, toilet problems can be a real nightmare to deal with.