Expert: Karen Craft - 6/27/2007

Question
Hi and thank you for your help.  I have a 12 yr old maine-coon cat the in the past 4-6 months has decided he randomly forgets where his cat box is.  It started with peeing on a rug in our guest room.  This was intermittent with us washing/enzyming the rug with no success.  We started keeping the door closed to the guest room then he started pooping behind an entertainment center.  Same thing, spray it and then went to a cat repellant spray that worked.  Next he started pooping on any blankets our girls would lie out in their playroom to watch tv on.  Again, washing them over and over.  Then it seems he started peeing in that room on and off as I never caught him but the smell is disqusting.  His new thing (past month) has been pooping on rugs in the master bath.  I've washed/enzymed them and finally replaced them yesterday only to find poop tonight on the new ones.  We keep his litter box clean and I even replaced it and switched to a $12/bag special problem cat (attractant) litter.  He still uses the box too but also uses these other areas.  Possible that he has alzheimers and forgets where he is?  I can't take much more of this and need help before he ruins my entire house......

Answer
Hi Ernie,

First off get him checked by a vet. He may have arthritis and is having a problem getting in the box. He could have a urinary tract infection. He could have some other medical reason for this.
Next add a couple of more boxes. Make sure they are low ones.Change the type of litter in one box and see if he uses it more than the other. If so change the other's litter.
Watch what happens before he goes outside the box. Was he by a window or door? He may be responding to a stray cat in the area. Has anything changed in the house? Under stressful situations cats go out side the box. Get a product called Feliway. They have a whole house spray. This acts as a kitty tranquilizer and will calm him down. It is also used to help cats use their litter boxes.
Hopefully one of these things will hit the nail on the box. If not talk to your vet about medication for him. Good luck.

Ciao, Karen