Expert: Dear Tabbi - 9/19/2009

Question
I have a 10 year old cat that for the past two weeks has been urinating and defecating on new carpeting that was installed in our basement two months ago(it is a shag type carpeting).  His litter box is also located in the basement but in a different unfinished room.  At first he was still defecating in the litter box, but now it is both on the carpeting.  To keep him off the carpeting until I could figure things out, I moved his litter box, food and water to a bedroom upstairs and then shut the basement door.  He now uses the litter box again, but I don't want his litter box in a bedroom.  What can I do to get him use a litter box in the basement again without going on the carpeting?

Answer
Kim,

At 10 years old your cat is approximately 56 years old in human years. 'Accidents' outside the litterbox can point to a medical problem like a urinary tract infection, constipation, etc. But emotional upsets can also cause that behavior, such as a person moving out, or the upset of the cat's routine with the remodeling. An older cat does not accept change as well as a younger cat.

There is also the possibility that what the carpet is treated with is causing the inappropriate elimination. I have heard of numerous instances that when new carpeting was installed the cats behaved in the same way.

It actually is better to keep the litter box, food, and water upstairs. As the cat ages she will more than likely develop arthritis which will make it difficult for her to get up and down the stairs and that will probably cause accidents upstairs. As he ages there will be more age-related issues that you will need to make concessions for. Don't ever get mad at her for getting old. As the cat ages, he will be as confused about his behavior as you will be.

Even if he seems healthy I would take him to a vet that specializes in geriatric cat care and their conditions (not all vets do which can be detrimental to the cat) for a check of his thyroid, kidney, and liver functions. Things will start giving out and early detection and medication can help make his senior years more comfortable.

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 this is helpful.

Tabbi