I have a 22 year old male Cat, named Mikey. There are 3 litter boxes in the house. He knows where they all are, and even uses all of them on occasion. However, he has this thing for rugs. At least once a day he pees on the rug(s). When I catch him in the act, I take him to a kitty box, much like you would a kitten, and he does his business. He occasionally gets there on his own.
How do I stop this behavior? I'm at my wits end. I'm about to move into a new home and I don't want the carpets ruined.
Elderly Cat Peeing
Your cat is 22 years old and may be experiencing renal failure or a UTI. Have you taken him to the vet for a check up and proper diagnosis? Cats usually pee outside the box when something is wrong and they need your help and a veterinary examination. 22 is very old for a kitty and you can't treat him like a kitten, his organs might be giving in, just like an elderly human with bladder or other issues.
Re: Elderly Cat Peeing
Agree, he needs a veterinary exam and complete bloodwork done TODAY!!
Also, due to his age, he could also be arthritic, and not able to make it to his litterboxes in time, or they may not be easily accessible. Even regular-sized litterboxes can be difficult for an arthritic kitty to climb into, and if any litterboxes are up or down stairs, this will make it even more difficult. He may be urinating on your rugs due to several things: stress, pain, urinary tract infection or any other underlying illness, arthritis, and trying to get your attention to some matter that is stressing him. You also need to have your vet check his eyesight and hearing, etc. in the event he may be disoriented due to lack of hearing or sight, etc.
Get him to your vet TODAY!!
Also, due to his age, he could also be arthritic, and not able to make it to his litterboxes in time, or they may not be easily accessible. Even regular-sized litterboxes can be difficult for an arthritic kitty to climb into, and if any litterboxes are up or down stairs, this will make it even more difficult. He may be urinating on your rugs due to several things: stress, pain, urinary tract infection or any other underlying illness, arthritis, and trying to get your attention to some matter that is stressing him. You also need to have your vet check his eyesight and hearing, etc. in the event he may be disoriented due to lack of hearing or sight, etc.
Get him to your vet TODAY!!
..........Traci
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mamabear
- Formerly mamaof4soon
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Re: Elderly Cat Peeing
I agree as well he is 22 and might not be able to get where he needs to as fast as he use to. Or more importantly he might have a problem. Please take him to vet today and let us know.
Hugs to him!!!
Hugs to him!!!
Almost 7 years in remission from Graves disease and no meds!
Re: Elderly Cat Peeing
Kitty checks out, no UTI or other Renal Issues. As I stated previously, he's not doing it all the time... once every couple to three days, otherwise he uses the kitty box. I believe it to be a behavioral issue. When he was younger, he would occasionally pee on a pile of clothes but otherwise use the litter box 99% of the time. At 22 the doc states he's in very good health, what can I say...I've spoiled my kitty.
So...at his age, how do you curb this type of behavioral issue?
So...at his age, how do you curb this type of behavioral issue?
Re: Elderly Cat Peeing
When did your vet do your cat's last bloodwork and urinalysis? At 22 yrs old it seems odd to me that this is a behavioral issue - it sounds like a physical issue to me, in human years your cat is over 100 yrs old! Sometimes getting an opinion from a 2nd vet may shed light on the issue.jfenner wrote:Kitty checks out, no UTI or other Renal Issues. As I stated previously, he's not doing it all the time... once every couple to three days, otherwise he uses the kitty box. I believe it to be a behavioral issue. When he was younger, he would occasionally pee on a pile of clothes but otherwise use the litter box 99% of the time. At 22 the doc states he's in very good health, what can I say...I've spoiled my kitty.
So...at his age, how do you curb this type of behavioral issue?
Re: Elderly Cat Peeing
When was he seen, and did the vet address everything we've mentioned here? Did he do a urinalysis and full bloodwork?
Have YOU addressed everything we've mentioned here?
Meaning, is he arthritic and uncomfortable using the litterbox?
What stresses are in the environment that may be causing him to urinate in certain areas? Anything change within the last several months?
Are you using enzymatic cleaners?
Do you reprimand him unneccessarily?
Is it only in an area or two on floor carpet, or does this include area or throw rugs, or bath rugs/mats, etc?
In order to address the "behavior" aspect of this, you have to identify what is "causing it" first.
Have YOU addressed everything we've mentioned here?
Meaning, is he arthritic and uncomfortable using the litterbox?
What stresses are in the environment that may be causing him to urinate in certain areas? Anything change within the last several months?
Are you using enzymatic cleaners?
Do you reprimand him unneccessarily?
Is it only in an area or two on floor carpet, or does this include area or throw rugs, or bath rugs/mats, etc?
In order to address the "behavior" aspect of this, you have to identify what is "causing it" first.
..........Traci
Re: Elderly Cat Peeing
I've been with my vet for 15 years of this kitty's life. He came and still is well recommended. He has dealt with Mikey and his step siblings very well and has never given me cause for concern.
He did complete bloodwork and UTI testing looking for anything that would explain physically what is causing this. I have a very open communication with my Vet and we had looked for every physical reason before I came here. The testing was done, again, last week.
He's peeing on area rugs only. I have hardwood on the main level with area rugs, and carpet throughout on the other level. He doesn't pee on the carpets there at all, while he hangs out on both levels equally. I've dealt with this a while, and for a while I thought his vision was failing and he didn't like 'striped' rugs, as that was all he would 'attack', but two weeks ago he started peeing on a solid brown rug. When he did that I scheduled another vet visit and we did the full workup on things that could cause this.
Is he arthritic? Mildly, of course. However, he still climbs stairs well, jumps on my bed (sleeps on my pillow every night) and gets around quite well.
What's changed? That's what I'm still working on. Because it's something he's occasionally done all of his life it's been really hard to pin point. I've been working toward my move for a couple of months, so there's the stress of that. Do I reprimand him? Rarely, if at all. He generally only needs the look when caught. If that's not enough I have a spray bottle.
I will continue to look at possible 'stressors' and let you know what I find.
Thanks!
He did complete bloodwork and UTI testing looking for anything that would explain physically what is causing this. I have a very open communication with my Vet and we had looked for every physical reason before I came here. The testing was done, again, last week.
He's peeing on area rugs only. I have hardwood on the main level with area rugs, and carpet throughout on the other level. He doesn't pee on the carpets there at all, while he hangs out on both levels equally. I've dealt with this a while, and for a while I thought his vision was failing and he didn't like 'striped' rugs, as that was all he would 'attack', but two weeks ago he started peeing on a solid brown rug. When he did that I scheduled another vet visit and we did the full workup on things that could cause this.
Is he arthritic? Mildly, of course. However, he still climbs stairs well, jumps on my bed (sleeps on my pillow every night) and gets around quite well.
What's changed? That's what I'm still working on. Because it's something he's occasionally done all of his life it's been really hard to pin point. I've been working toward my move for a couple of months, so there's the stress of that. Do I reprimand him? Rarely, if at all. He generally only needs the look when caught. If that's not enough I have a spray bottle.
I will continue to look at possible 'stressors' and let you know what I find.
Thanks!
Re: Elderly Cat Peeing
My guess is stress and also that he can still smell the prior urine scents where he's marked, so you have to address that. Enzymatic cleaners are best for this (i.e., Petastic ), NOT general purpose floor/carpet/rug cleaners/shampoos.
How often do you get the area rugs cleaned? If for example, you spill something, or they are not cleaned for long periods of time, one or more scents on them may be prompting him to mark them.
If the urine soaks through the rugs to the wood floor, depending on the type of floor and sealant, it can get into the wood, and be extremely difficult to get out. Unfortunately, if that happens, the only way to solve it is replacing the wood. (or if you have laminate wood, take out the affected pieces, seal the floor at that area, replace the laminate pieces).
Moving, and preparing to move, is the number one stress for cats. If the urination issues have increased, it very well could be due to the changes in your routine, preparing to move, addition of boxes/containers in the home, and any other aspect relating to a move. Cats don't handle stress as humans do, so you have to be keenly aware of his needs as you prepare to move. Keep things as calm as possible, and as un-interupted as possible. If you have a spare room available, try to keep all the boxes etc in that room, and try to do as much packing in that room as possible, as opposed to packing in different rooms. I know that's an inconvenience, but the calmer, more uninterupted his environment, the less stress he has to endure. As you move, during the move, and after the move, you MUST watch him extremely carefully for any signs of stress or illness, because it IS stressful, and a cat may hide, withdraw, become anorexic etc which fast leads to serious liver problems which need to be addressed immediately and agressively. Remember that cats don't always show their stress or illness and it can exacerbate months after a stressful event, so keep an eagle eye on him.
Is the vet addressing the arthritis? Has he discussed the option of using Cosequin for Cats for your kitty? Do you keep his food/water dishes, and his litterboxes on the main level where he is more relaxed/acclimated/comfortable? You shouldn't have any of his belongings in areas he has to access stairs to get to. Have you considered a pet ramp for him to access your bed more easily?
Since he is 22 years of age, please be keenly aware of his needs and accomodate him accordingly. Try to keep his (and your) routine as consistent as possible and try not to drastically change anything about that, keep a close eye on his hearing/sight, congnitive function, and followup with your vet frequently to keep an eye on his vital organ function, etc. The stress of moving could cause any number of illnesses to develop, and can remain hidden and you may not notice without followup exams and bloodwork to detect these, these will have to be more frequent.
How often do you get the area rugs cleaned? If for example, you spill something, or they are not cleaned for long periods of time, one or more scents on them may be prompting him to mark them.
If the urine soaks through the rugs to the wood floor, depending on the type of floor and sealant, it can get into the wood, and be extremely difficult to get out. Unfortunately, if that happens, the only way to solve it is replacing the wood. (or if you have laminate wood, take out the affected pieces, seal the floor at that area, replace the laminate pieces).
Moving, and preparing to move, is the number one stress for cats. If the urination issues have increased, it very well could be due to the changes in your routine, preparing to move, addition of boxes/containers in the home, and any other aspect relating to a move. Cats don't handle stress as humans do, so you have to be keenly aware of his needs as you prepare to move. Keep things as calm as possible, and as un-interupted as possible. If you have a spare room available, try to keep all the boxes etc in that room, and try to do as much packing in that room as possible, as opposed to packing in different rooms. I know that's an inconvenience, but the calmer, more uninterupted his environment, the less stress he has to endure. As you move, during the move, and after the move, you MUST watch him extremely carefully for any signs of stress or illness, because it IS stressful, and a cat may hide, withdraw, become anorexic etc which fast leads to serious liver problems which need to be addressed immediately and agressively. Remember that cats don't always show their stress or illness and it can exacerbate months after a stressful event, so keep an eagle eye on him.
Is the vet addressing the arthritis? Has he discussed the option of using Cosequin for Cats for your kitty? Do you keep his food/water dishes, and his litterboxes on the main level where he is more relaxed/acclimated/comfortable? You shouldn't have any of his belongings in areas he has to access stairs to get to. Have you considered a pet ramp for him to access your bed more easily?
Since he is 22 years of age, please be keenly aware of his needs and accomodate him accordingly. Try to keep his (and your) routine as consistent as possible and try not to drastically change anything about that, keep a close eye on his hearing/sight, congnitive function, and followup with your vet frequently to keep an eye on his vital organ function, etc. The stress of moving could cause any number of illnesses to develop, and can remain hidden and you may not notice without followup exams and bloodwork to detect these, these will have to be more frequent.
..........Traci