	AllExperts > Cats
	Search

About Norman Auspitz
Expertise
I can answer most non-veterinary questions about cats. My particular expertise is pedigree cats, breeding and showing. However, I am versed in feline behavior, cat breeds and their characteristics, general feline husbandry, and the like.

Experience
I judged for the Canadian Cat Association from 1975 until 1982. I am currently an approved allbreed judge for the Cat Fanciers'' Association (the world''s largets cat registry), and have been judging for them since 1991. I have been breeding pedigreed cats since 1971 and have been exhibiting pedigreed cats in shows since 1970. I obtained my first pedigreed cat in 1970 and have never looked back. In 1971, I obtained my first Abyssinian which has become my primary breed. In addition, I have bred Manx and Persians. Currently, besides the Abyssinians, I am also breeding Maine Coons.

Organizations
Cat Fanciers'' Association, inc. (CFA) and the Manx, Maine Coon, and Abyssinian breed councils. I am currently Abyssinian breed council secretary.

Publications
Cat Fancy Magazine, The Abyssinian Chapter in The Cat Fanciers'' Association Complete Cat Book, and Articles for various editions of The Cat Fanciers'' Association Yearbook

Education/Credentials
I received a B.S. from Drexel University in 1968, a M.Math from University of Waterloo, in 1970, a Ph.D. from University of Waterloo in 1975, and a MBA from McMaster University in 1980. I received my approved allbreed judging status in the Cat Fanciers'' Association in 1999.

Awards and Honors
We have produced a number of Cat Fanciers'' Association (CFA) National winning Abyssinian and Maine Coons. We have produced a number of Abyssinian and Maine Coon Distinguished Merit females (an award for a top producing cat), including the first Distinguished Merit Abyssinian in the red (sorrel) color. I am the CFA Abyssinian breed council secretary and belong and/or hold office in a number of cat clubs. I am also a member of the CFA Judges Association.

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Cats > Cats > older cat not using litter box

Cats - older cat not using litter box

Expert: Norman Auspitz - 11/1/2009

Question
So far my 14+ year old cat is just pooping on the floor, she is using the box for the pea thank goodness. I have bought a new
box clean it out daily and she will occasionally use it but mostly does her business on the floor. She seems to be very agile still and I don't see any physical problems with her that would keep her from climbing in the box. Can you help?

Answer
Linda,

At age 14, your cat is considered geriatric, and, as such, she may have developed a health problem. On the other hand, she may just be getting "forgetful". So, you may want to take her to your veterinarian to see if she has developed something that would make her want to poop inappropriately (like impacted anal glands, intestinal parasites, etc.).

I would clean the area where she poops with an enzyme based cleaner specifically for pet stains and pet odors (available from most pet supermarkets or farm stores). Also, you may want to try a litter called Cat Attract which may help the situation. I am giving you a link to an excellent series of articles on feline litter box problems:

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/pointe/9352/litterboxhelp.html

Best regards... Norm.

Add to this Answer Ask a Question