10 year old cat not consistently using his cat boxes
my 12 year old Maine Coon has been a consistent user of her box but she has pooped in a bathtub in the exact same spot on a few occasions.
I thought it might have been due to the absence of her BFF, who had been hospitalized since August.
I am now considering another possible cause: a switch to the lighter weight version of her litter, a change I made because I could hardly pick a box of the regular litter off the store shelf!
The lighter weight litter is very dusty. Unscented litter is best for cats as well - their sense of smell is way more heightened than humans. Have you tried Cat Attract Litter? Maybe he's experiencing some constipation and associates the box with pain. Adding some plain pumpkin to his food or a fiber powder mixed with water such as Benefiber (unflavored) could help. Dry food can be constipating especially if the cat isn't consuming enough water. If you feed wet food, try mixing a little more water into that. Many times, a behavior becomes habit but a vet visit can't hurt just to rule out a health issue. It's frustrating to say the least.
I've rescued Persians half my life and some do have problems maintaining their litter box manners. One idea is to do a sanitary clip. Trim his pants and around his tail so they stay clean. As he is older grooming is sometimes an issue and he may associate the litter with sand and such sticking to him. He may prefer a smooth surface beneath him. Maybe try a box nearby lined with newspaper. I've dealt with it 3 times in my life each time with a Persian or Himalayan. They are also awkward at getting out of their box, post use and may worry about stepping in something. Older Persians get sand and "stuff" stuck to their furry feet. Make sure his pads and the tufts in between are clean and his nails are not ingrown.
Also, as a general note, if he is declawed, those cats often develop this problem but its usually early on.
As for his health, my Himmy did it when the early stages of Inflammatory Bowel Disease began. He started feel uncomfortable and associated it with the box. He was about 12 when it began.
I had the same problem as mtierney with the lightweight litter. one of my 2 cats starting pooping in the tub. switched back to regular litter and problem went away.
Thanks all. Will try the newspaper and pumpkin.
He is clean "back there" and isn't declawed (although 100% in door). Will also stop at pet store and inquire about litter.
Sigh...
We have a 10 year old Persian. He's neat, affectionate, healthy and up to date on all shots and doc appointments. Nothing has changed in his our our daily routine yet, about a few times a week, I'll notice that he has pooped on the floor and not in his box. He'll poop NEXT to his box! It drives me nuts.
I have two boxes for him that I clean several times a day. I have changed his litter brand that he's been using since the summer. I have intro'd new food to him (courtesy of the wonderful guys at Pet Wants!) that he really loves, but he was pooping on the floor prior to the new food.
Ideas? Or is he just being a dick?