Senior Cat

Question
We have a 17yo DLH who is in relatively good health. Over the past 12-18 mos he has started to use the catbox only to pee. We have tried everything we can think of to deter him from leaving us 'presents' on the carpet. It looks like he just stopped in his tracks and dropped his feces where ever he was standing. He received a clean bill of health from our vet last fall altho he is looking much frailer lately. We currently shut him in my bathroom overnight until he has used the catbox the next morning, then he is allowed into the rest of our apartment. He spends his days sleeping. Any suggestions? We are toying with the idea of putting him to sleep.

Answer
Hi Angela,

I would like you to try something as an experiment. This might solve your problem. He may be having pain when he uses the litter pan. And he may be associating the litter pan with his defecation pain. He could have arthritis which is hurting him.

I would like you to get a new litter pan. I use this one for my older cats. http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751239&ab=hp_ln_cat
You might want to build a step up to it if he has trouble getting in it. Fill it with a soft scoopable litter. I also recommend this stuff.
http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2751734&lmdn=Cat
Try this combo and see how he does. He should use this pan for his stools and the other for urinating.

He sounds like he is doing what any senior cat is doing otherwise. Try to have a little play time with him. It will help with his quality of life. Also ask your vet about giving him some glucosomine. He most likely has some arthritis and this will help. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen