Cat Training and Behavior (Domestic and Feral)/Litter Tray Use

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Expert: Dear Tabbi - 7/12/2009


Question
My cat of 18yrs is partially blind and deaf, she stopped using a cat tray many years ago and has always been very clean. However, for the past two years,although she will go out, she always comes in and uses her cat tray. I have a small flat now and the c/tray is a big closed in one.Can i train her not to use it or is she to old to train. She also cries for my attention constantly.I recently had her checked at vet,,he said she is fine but spoiled!I really would appreciate any suggestions/advice.Thank You.L

Answer
Lyn,

At 18 years old your cat is approximately 88 years old and I would let her do whatever she wanted! At her age, I wouldn't even think about trying to change her routine or habits, especially with the litterbox.

I do not agree with your vet about the cat crying because she is spoiled! She crying because she is confused about the changes in her body, including losing her hearing and her sight. She doesn't understand what is happening and she needs alot of reassurance. She can be crying because she has pain, possibly from arthritis. Cats also get a form of Alzheimer's and can behave in a bizarre manner.

You may want to find a vet that specializes in geriatric cat care and their conditions (not all vets do which can be detrimental to your cat's health) and get a 2nd opinion. She needs to have an 'older cat checkup' to check the function of her thyroid, kidneys, and liver. As a cat ages this checkup should be done about every 6-8 months. In doing that, a lot of age related problems can be caught early. They can be given treatment or medication that can continue their quality of life and ease any pain, and give you more time together.

Being prepared and knowledgeable about elderly cats will make things easier for the cat and for you. For reference I am including some very good links that you should find helpful:  
(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

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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