16yr old cat toileting behind tv? Why?

[Luz]

Does anyone have any ideas about cat behaviour. My 16 year old cat has recently taken to using behind the tv as her toilet. I have a cat flap which is available to her at all times. Do you think she is just getting too old to be bothered to go out? When she does she doesnt go any further than the garden, then back in. I dont want to lock her out of the living room, maybe I could put something behind that will repell her?

[Fran]

Hi..I found the very same thing when my recently departed old girl started doing her business in the house. It was her way of telling me she no longer felt able to go outside the the toilet. I gave her a litter tray and had no problem from then onwards..

[Donna]

I was gonna say put a litter tray somewhere in the house for her.

[Mags]

I hope a litter tray will cure the problem for her.........

[Booktigger]

A litter tray would be a good start, but you might also want to get her checked out at the vet in case she has a medical condition and that is why she can't get outside in time.

[yola]

I was going to suggest same as BT . . . also wanted to add, if anything has changed in your household that may be causing stress? New cat, new person, house move or even new furniture might have a bearing on this kind of behaviour.

Hope that helps :D

[Luz]

All very helpful but Yola think you may of hit the nail on the head. Just put up a new extention so 2 catflaps to negotiate. She is old and probably hates the change. I have boarded off the tv area so she cannot get in there. She has had a bad life, she was knocked down 6 years ago and lost all her pelvic region and has no hip bone. Sorry forgot to mention that. She looks quite frail all of a sudden too.

[Sweet]

Awwwwww give her lots of hugs x

[Luz]

Awwwwww give her lots of hugs x
I will, you dont think its terminal do you?

[Chickadeedeedee]

Sorry she's had such a hard time. It would be best to have her vet checked. They may want to draw blood and make sure she doesn't have kidney disease, diabetes, hyperthyroidism or other problems. If you can bring in a urine sample that would help too.

Hope she gets better soon.

C3D

[yola]

Luz - I hope that IS all that is behind the problem. Hugs to your 'old girl' :-D and let us know how you get on!

[Julie84]

Can only agree with the good advice already here and hope it all sorts itself out. :)

Am slightly confused though (not hard and it is Monday! :oops: ) - do some people not have litter trays at all? I thought even if your cat had permanent outside access you would still have a litter tray indoors? Also, where do cats without litter trays go to the toilet? I wouldn't want cat poo in my garden but I especially wouldn't want my cats to go in someone else's garden - one of my (long list of) reasons for not letting my cats out is that I don't want them to be a nuisance to other people. I'm very confused. :-?

[Luz]

I started her with a cat litter tray which she started to use but has now stopped dead and is back to soiling anywhere she can. Even if all the doors are open she will not go outside.
She lost her best friend Barney my 15 year old dog 4 weeks ago and she really missed him.
Here she is looking lovingly at his final resting box before we buried him.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v671/laurakirkham/DSCF0234.jpg
Since then she has slowly gone downhill losing weight but eating like she hasnt eaten in days. Im taking her to the vets tomorrow. Wish us luck!
I heard it could be thyroid problems, shes 16 what do you think?

[Sweet]

Good Luck at the Vets x

[Mags]

I hope the vet can give you some answers tomorrow.....good luck!

[PurpleJackdaw]

good luck at the vets

[Booktigger]

I do hope you get some answers at the vets, it could be health related.

[Moli]

Hope all goes well at the vets for her...

[Fran]

Hope all goes well at the vets x

[yola]

All the very best for your vet visit. {{{hugs}}}

[Luz]

I am dreading tomorrow, I have kept a close eye on her and she went okay for a while after the first post I made, then when Barney died she rapidly went downhill again and to this extent I think the worst. She is a beautiful cat such a gentle girl. I have read up on her condition and am thinking its a thyroid problem but she is in her later years so not sure what will behold her tomorrow. Am scared to death. :(

[Fran]

{{{Hugs Luz}}} Hope things do not turn out as badly as you are imagining x

[Luz]

{{{Hugs Luz}}} Hope things do not turn out as badly as you are imagining x
thankyou Fran, I think I am expecting the worst she has so many problems already. She lost all her pelvis and hip joint in a road accident 9 years ago and she only just survived. I do think it may be related to this. :(

[Booktigger]

Aww, I am sending you big vibes, I know what it is like to think the worst before a vet trip.

[Luz]

Thankyou I will let you all know how I get on. xxx

[dinahsmum]

Thinking of you at the vets today Luz - troubles seem to come along in packs don't they? I know you'll do what's right for her. Take care x

[Emm]

I'm thinking of you today at the vets Luz (((hugs))) xx