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Cats/Older cat urinating and defecating in her bed

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Expert: - 1/3/2009


Question
My cat is 14-15 years old, very active and is being treated for hyperthyroidism.  Recently, she has refused to use her litter box for defecating.  She then stopped using her litter box for urinating.  (There have been no changes to her litter box or litter.  After her behaviors escalated to urination, we tried different litters and different boxes with no luck.)  Instead, she has been using the dogs beds and coverings as her litter box.  We took her to the vet for her quarterly check up and were told that this is more of a behaviorial problem than medical.  The vet advised that we place her in the bathroom with food, H2O, litter box and a bed to retrain her.  We did to discover that she began pooping and peeing in her bed which she then slept in.  A wet, dirty and smelly bed did not seem to phase her at all. This doesn't seem normal.  Do you have any advice for us to try in redirecting her back to her litter box?

Answer
Hi Monica,

First off she is sick. She has hyperthyroidism. Cats go off their cleanliness habits when they are sick. She is stressed from her disease. You may have to do a few things to get her back to using a litter box. First, try a product called Feliway. This mimics a cat's happy pheromones. See if this helps. Next try this litter product. http://www.preciouscat.com/
PetSmart carries it. See if this works. Then I would ask your vet about putting her on Elavil. It is a mild tranquilizer and should calm her down. But I would use that as a last resort. I hope this helped you. Also one thing, keep an eye on her for signs of kidney disease and hypertension. These go hand and hand with the Thyroid disease in cats. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen

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Karen Craft

Expertise

I can give advice on cat behavior. I can help about newborn kitten care. I can help with senior cat care. I can answer questions about cat proofing a home or making it cat friendly. I can answer diet questions. I can answer home treatments questions for cats. At present I have 13 cats in home and two ferals outside. And there's always room for one more!

Experience

I have over 40 year's experience with cats. Father was a veterinarian and I assisted him in his work. I have 15 cats at present. Most are shelter or feral rescues. I have one purebred cat. I have done cat rescues and foster care. Some thoughts to carry with you. A Cat's 10 Commandments My life is likely to last 15-20 years. Any separation from you is likely to be painful. Give me time to understand what you want of me. Place your trust in me. It is crucial for my well-being. Don't be angry with me for long and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, your friends, your entertainments. But I have only you. Talk to me. Even if I don't understand your words, I do understand your voice when speaking to me. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget it. Before you swat me, before you strike me, remember that I have teeth that could draw blood. And claws to strike back. And yet I choose not to attack you. If I don't act right then have me checked to see what is wrong. Please take care of me when I grow old. You too will grow old. On the difficult journey, on the ultimate difficult journey, go with me please. Never say you can't bear to watch. Don't make me face this alone. Everything is easier for me if you are there. Because I love you so. Take a moment today to thank God for your pets. Enjoy and take good care of them. Life would be a much duller, less joyful thing without God's critters. Pass this on.

Education/Credentials
I have an A.A.S.

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