Expert: Dear Tabbi - 11/23/2008

Question
We have a about a 16 year-old make cat (neutered) which prefers (or did prefer) to be outdoors much of the time.  When he was indoors and had to go to the bathroom, he used the litter box, which we keep in the basement.  Lately, most of the time he has been using the floor around the litter box (the floor is concrete).  He also very rarely comes upstairs -- all be have been doing is going down to feed him, and he rewards us with some lovely gifts.

When he is in the basement, he have been hiding/sleeping under my tool bench, but does come out to eat when we are giving him food.

My question is, how can we train him to start using the litter box again?  This is getting very frustrating, and quite smelly.

He does have a thyroid problem, for which we have given him pills, but this doesn't seem to matter.  Besides, at $65/month for the pills, it's hard to justify.

Any ideas?  And thanks so much for your advise and time.  If I should be asking someone else, please let me know.  Thanks!!

Answer
John,

Your cat approximately 80 years old in human years. He may have any number of age-related things going on to cause his behavior. The first one that comes to mind is that he probably has arthritis and it is difficult for him to get in and out of the litterbox so he goes next to it. It would also make it very difficult for him to come up and down the stairs. That is a common behavior with elderly cats. You should have compassion and understanding, and patience with the poor cat.

It would be helpful to have a 'puppy pee pad' for the cat next to the litterbox, or get a container, like plastic or foil, with very low sides on it.

The best thing for the cat would be to bring him upstairs, along with his litterbox. Concrete is cold and will enhance any arthritis. Put him somewhere warm and comfortable. He can't help getting old, and these things are confusing and frustrating to him to.

Your vet can give him medication for arthritis and pain which would make his quality of life better. You wouldn't do any less for your grandmother would you? Your cat is also an elderly member of your family, just with 4 legs, and deserves the same treatment.

You may want to find a vet that specializes in geriatric cat care and their conditions (not all vets do) and get a 2nd opinion.

Being prepared and knowledgable 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 this helps. And don't get angry and frustrated with the cat, he can't help it. Someday you may wish he were still here making a mess.

Tabbi