Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Older Cat Behavior

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/28/2008


Question
Our cat just turned 15 and he recently was diagnosed with a kidney infection.  He has been on antibiotics and seems to be increasing his weight and acting more normal. He was using the litterbox until recently where he uses it right outside which I understand is due to him associating pain with urinating in the litterbox thus he is going outside instead.  He has also urinated on our bed a few times so we added a second litter box close by which has seemed to help.  

My main concern now is his behavior in general.  He tends now to sit on the bathroom sink counter and although he seems to want water at times he just sits there.  Most times face towards the wall.  We have also found him behind the door, face in the corner.  I know he doesn't feel well but he is really acting odd.

Answer
Mare,

Have you considered the possibility that your cat is blind? Sometimes you don't realize it because the cat acts the same. At 15 your cat is approximately 76 years old in human years and he is at the age where normal functions will start giving out. At the next vet visit I would have the vet check his eyesight.

Also the medication the cat is on may be making him act in that manner. I would give your vet's receptionist a call and see what the possible side affects are, or what the cat's reactions to it may be.

Tabbi  

Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)

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Dear Tabbi

Expertise

My expertise is in helping people understand their cat (or cats) and their behavior. Questions are welcome even if you don't have a cat....just a question about them. Hopefully my experience, suggestions, and comments will be of help to you...and your cat (or cats). Looking through my past responses to questions will give you additional information and/or answers too. Domestic Cats = cats (no matter what breed) who are tame or not wild, or abandoned cats who were pets that became wild, but can be tamed again. Ferals = cats who are born with one or more parents who were wild stray cats. They usually have had no interactions with people. They have an inbred distrust of humans and are difficult to socialize. They are skittish, hide, and are afraid of people. They take a lot of time and patience to work with them. A lot of kittens from shelters had a feral parent.

Experience

Since I was a child, over 45 years, I have been owned by a LOT of cats and kittens of almost every temperament, behavior, and personality. I have had experience with neurotic, disabled (including blind), stray, and 'problem child' cats and kittens. (A few normal cats too!) Plus all the things a lifetime of owning cats and research has taught me. I also have experience in feral cat behavior (which is different from domestic cats), and some experience with feral colonies that includes colony feeding and feral cat TNR (trap/neuter/release).

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