OK guys, take it easy on grief here for asking a cat question around these parts! So here goes...

Got a plain old house cat. She's been in the house her entire life. Somewhere between 15 and 17 years old. Seems to be in great health...there's been no change in mood, diet is good as it ever was, activity is good and unchanged, and on and on. No indications of any health problems at all, except...

About 2-3 months ago she started pooping in the floor. She would do it in the same room and right in front of her litter box. But the really bad part is, best we can tell, she just recently started peeing on the floor on the carpet in our bedroom. I have very little patience and tolerance for this. We can't find a mental/behavioral reason for this but she's got to go! I love my animals, but not at the expense of ruining the house. An important bit of information to this is the fact she still uses her litter box. So the floor thing is random. Obviously not a physical problem if she can get to the box throughout the day.

You guys have any bright ideas what could be causing it or what I could do to fix this?

 

I think it's an old age thing, because my wifes 12 year old cat started doing almost the exact same thing and we ended up putting him to sleep.

 

Two things come to mind. One the cat is pissed at you for something you done to it. It is paying you back. Two the litter box is full. Not saying you have done somethin to it badly but something that he just hasnt liked. They are very mysterious animals that I hate with a passion and can not wait for mine to kick the bucket.

 

did you change the brand of litter you use?

also it could be changes in you guys she is noticing. Anything that has changed in your behaviour can set them off. Working more, leaving on vacations, verbal fights with the spouse, etc

 

At your cat's age, I would suspect both kidney failure and arthritis. And, she may be somewhat "demented" too. These aliments effect animals just as they effect humans.

With kidney failure, or especially a urinary infection, they really lose control of that function.

Arthritis may make it hard for her to get into the box.

And dementia .... *shrug*

A Vet would be able to check for the first two problems. But, if her kidneys are shot, there's not much time left for her.

Edit: I should have also said that like humans, animals like dogs and cats can lose control of both the poo and pee functions due to age.

- Jack

 

My mom has a cat that's around 16 or 17 years old and does the same thing as you're describing. He has kidney failure and she has to inject some kind of fluids in him every night through an IV I think, but as far as I know he still does his "business" right beside the litter box. I'm not sure just how long he's been doing it but I know it's been a few years, longer than I would have put up with it.

 

Thanks everyone. Pretty much answers as we expected or already received. It sucks, but the pee is just something my wife isn't going to tolerate...at all. May just be that time.