What's going on with my cat?

[Thertza]

We moved house end of last year with our two 10 year old girl cats. Former rescues but have adapted well to a life of love and luxury!

In our previous house they used a cat flap with no issues. In new house we gave them litter boxes which they mostly used successfully although a few poos and wees found elsewhere.

After a month they were let out via a cat flap into new garden. Very quiet area, no signs of any local cats or dogs or anything to worry them. Both used the cat flap and I also left the litter boxes in place for a week whilst they got used to things, and they used both but litter boxes but much less so.

It's cold so they've not been outside much, just sleeping at home where they seem very happy and relaxed. Removed the litter boxes after a week.

Now here's the problem: one of them seems to be hardly going out though has been seen using the cat flap without issue. She is weeing and pooing in the house. Doesn't seem like a continence issue as only usually once a day. We reinstated the litter boxes which are not being used.

What should we do?

Take her to the vets for a health check. It's likely stress or confusion but these things should always be checked out in case she's in pain or something.

You should always have litter trays available in the house no matter what, even if they have free access to the outdoors. By removing and replacing them so often you are only confusing what sounds to be a demented cat further.

OzCalling I* *realised we've caused confusion by removing and then reinstating the litter trays, but there's no signs that she has dementia.

Toileting in inappropriate places was the first sign of dementia in ours.

I'm not an expert but I've been doing some reading on the joys of cat continence as one of our lovely boys has been occasionally weeing where he shouldn't at times of perceived stress.

It sounds to me like providing then removing litter trays has 'moved the goalposts' and confused matters. That's on top of a house move which is a big change for a cat anyway. They can take some weeks to settle after a change so it might just be an ongoing process.

Better just to have trays in situ permanently and hopefully she will get used to going there again. Tbh I prefer this as it reduces pooing in gardens anyway.

Perhaps try and add some of her smell to the tray, if she goes on the floor again, maybe use a bit of kitchen roll used to wipe up or something? I was told it's better not to use bleach or anything too deodorising on litter trays (within reason!) as it's better if they can easily recognise it by smell.

Is it in deliberate areas or more uncontrolled? If she' goes in the same sorts of places, that might suggest readjustment but if there is urgency/ lack of control re bladder or bowel that would suggest more of a vet issue. No harm in checking with them if it carries on, especially if not eating, drinking or playing as normal (bearing in mind mine are a lot more laid back at the moment too as it's too cold to go out much, even for the one who's part seal!). 😓(I can't get rid of that emoji!!)

Stop removing and replacing litter boxes. This could be causing confusion. Could be stress/change of environment. I would get checked by a vet if no improvement. Also clean the area thoroughly.

Dementia in a 10 year old cat would be unusual indeed. So you can probably discount that

The key is probably not messing about with the litter trays and also restricting her access to rooms for the time being so you can keep an eye on where she may be toileting

I'm not sure if this is relevant but I've done a lot of years as a vet nurse and cats get cystitis when there's a cold snap, presumably as they retain rather than go outside.

On a morning when it had snowed the two days prior, we knew the first few phone calls would be cat bladder related, it really was that predictable so I would think about this first and as a PP said. always always leave lots of litter trays with different substrates.

The cat is only ten! Dementia is incredibly unlikely at such a young age.

Unlikely, yes but it can and does happen. Our boy was only 11!

@OzCalling true, but given the circumstances of a move and lots of litter tray changes it's infinitely more likely to be stress!

YellowHighHeels She's* *going in two places - on the mat on the inside of the front door and on a playmat - the sort that's crinkly and has a mouse on a string attached.

I realise that the house move will have been a big deal for her but she seems so content apart from the weeing/pooing issue. She's eating, playing, cuddling.