Cat urination

Question
I have an 18yr old cat who within the last 4-5 months started using the basement floor as his litter box (the box is in the basement). He'll use the box if it is completely clean, but if there is just one spot in the box that has been used, he will go on the floor. I have 2 boxes and 2 cats. He has always been a clean cat and has never done this before. Is there anything I can do to stop this? If not, do you have any suggestions as to how to clean urination on concrete? I scrub with bleach & citrus cleaner and it still leaves marks around the edges of where he has urinated. I would have expected the smell of the bleach and citrus would stop him, but he doesn't seem to care. I am going to be selling my home soon and really need to be rid of this problem. Thank you.

Answer
Barb,

I am guessing that your cat's behavior is age related. At 18 your cat is approximately 88 years old in human years, and at that age (and way before)you see signs of aging.

It could be kitty Alzheimer's. Cats get it too, and sometimes they behavior in a bizarre manor, or 'forget' where things are...like the litterbox. He could have kidney malfunction, arthritis, etc.

You may want to use puppy pee pads (the kind used for potty training dogs), or the human incontinent pads they put in beds for elderly people. Putting them next to the litterbox, or where the cat is going, would make it easier for the cat to use plus they wouldn't leak through to the floor.

Too, you may want to eventually put a litterbox upstairs for him. Going down the stairs to a litterbox may become difficult for him, and, as the cat gets older, he can't hold it as long. It is possible that he may start having accidents 'upstairs' as a result.

I would suggest finding a vet that specializes in geriatric cat care and their conditions. Not all vets do which can be detrimental to an elderly cat. He should have an "older cat checkup". They check the function of this kidneys, thyroid, liver, etc. These checkups should be done every six months when you have a geriatric cat. If caught early some conditions can be treated with medication, especially medication for arthritis, which will ease any discomfort, and extend his quality of life.

You may also want to talk to the vet about the eventuality of your move. Older cats do not take stress as well as a younger cat and the stress of a move may affect his health. If he does show signs of stress, possibly a short term dose of kitty Prozac can be given.

Being prepared and knowledgeable about elderly cats will make things easier for the cat and for you. I am including some very good links about elderly cats. Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar:

http://www.sniksnak.com/resources/geriatric.html

http://www.messybeast.com/towards-end.htm

http://www.2ndchance.info/oldcat.htm

I hope it won't be for a long time, but if you need to put your poor kitty to sleep at some point, or lose him, here is an EXCELLENT site for emotional support, and where you can have a memorial for your kitty:
http://rainbowsbridge.com/hello.htm

Give your kitty a lot of love and reassurance now. He is probably as confused about his behavior that he can't help as you are. He needs to know he is not a 'bad kitty' when he has age related accidents or strange behaviors. I know he has a loving owner and a good home or he wouldn't be at this 'ripe old age', but having an elderly cat, especially one as old as yours, CAN be frustrating at times, and probably will get more so. Please don't ever punish him for his behavior. Someday, you may wish he were still here 'having accidents'.

I hope this will be helpful. Here is a 'recipe' for cat urine odor removal:

1 quart of 3% hydrogen peroxide
1/4 cup baking soda
1 teaspoon of liquid soap

(3% hydrogen peroxide can be bought at most grocery and drug stores in pint and quart bottles).

Gently mix all ingredients in a non-metal container. Do not mix or shake vigorously!

The mixture is best used when fresh but can be stored. Do not keep mixture in an airtight container.  Have a VERY loose lid as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide when mixed together will release oxygen and an airtight container will explode. You can mix and keep it in large spray bottle (Home Depot, etc.) but a plastic liter or 2-liter soda bottle works just a well.
Always test for color-fastness. Hydrogen peroxide is a bleaching agent in stronger concentrations.

REMOVING URINE ODOR FROM CONCRETE/CEMENT

Spray or mop the area soiled with the cat urine. Saturate it completely and let the area dry for 2-3 days. Concrete and cement are very porous and take a long time to dry. You must let the concrete or cement dry completely before you reapply the recipe. This usually has to done at least 3 or more times before the urine odor is gone.

Tabbi