About 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).
Education/Credentials ***********
Awards and Honors * One of the top 50 Experts Of 2008 *
I have an 11 year-old female tabby who was born feral but socialized and spayed as a kitten. She has always been skittish but bonded with me well and is very loving (on her own terms!). I brought her overseas to Asia with me a few years ago and she did fine over here, but when I moved to another country 3 years ago that had strict quarantine laws, she had to move back to the US (Los Angeles), and lives with my brother-in-law. Recently she was taken to the vet after she started peeing outside the box (she has ALWAYS used the litter box before). She was treated for fleas (possibly from my brother in law's dog), but she is still peeing outside the box, and her behavior is becoming bizarre - hiding in small spaces for hours at a time, and of course the peeing. She has actually been peeing on the dog's bedding; they've lived together for years so not sure why the sudden change in behavior. The dog and cat are alone all day as my brother in law is at work (my sister lives overseas as well - weird family, I know!). The vet didn't seem to find any medical reason for her peeing - what else could it be?? I am probably going to bring her back overseas - I know she's older, but the vet seems to think she will make the trip ok, and maybe being with me again would be good. Do you have any tips on the recent strange behavior? Thank you!!
Answer Karen,
Her actions are probably age related. Your cat is approximately 60 years old in human years. It possible she may have a urinary tract infection or urinary crystals. Both are very painful and the cat associates that pain with the litterbox and goes elsewhere. They are common and can be treated with medication. She may also have a kidney related problem.
Cats can get arthritis which makes it painful for them to get into the litterbox causing them pee other places. They also get a form of Alzheimer's which causes them to behave in a bizarre manner which could be the cause of her hiding, or it could be caused by pain. Cats try to hide from pain.
Also cats that age do not take stress and change as well as a younger cat. It can cause emotional, behavior (such as inappropriate peeing), and health problems.
You should have an "older cat checkup" done by a vet that specializes in geriatric cats and their problems...not all vets do. She needs to have her thyroid, liver, and kidney function checked, and blood tests done. 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. I am including some very good links about elderly cats. Copy and paste, or type, the whole links into your address bar:
