Cat Chat Feline Forum

Hello, I am new here. I know this is a common problem and I have read most of the online advice but as with most cat owners, any gem or nugget of info that might help is worth asking for. My elderly boy, age 16 has started to pee and spray in the house. It is usually immediately preceeded by some wandering and weird mewing. He has a complex history. Cystitis has been a frequent problem but he is not displaying those symptoms at the moment. He has a reduced kidney function and some typical old man things like arthritis. I am pretty sure it is stress linked to other cats in the neighbourhood and we have tried anti stress herbal medication from the vet. He sees the vet once a month for all his health issues and I have discussed this. But I cannot seem to stop it. All standard tricks have failed. I don't mind clearing up after him but I hate seeing him unhappy. Someone suggested it could also be linked to dementia.....? Or just simple old age? Nothing else has changed. Litter boxes, litter, household etc is the same and other cats haven't bothered him before. Anything to advise or reassure will be very much appreciated. PS We a have 2 other cats, both 16 and his litter mates. Many thanks.

Hello! I have only one question. Is the cat castrated? If not, then why? Many problems are avoidable with castration, including cystitis. If it is not the case, I would recommend to try Feliway calming collar with pheromones, it is a really good thing. This company also has sprays and other stuff which is used for a room/house to be filled with pheromones, but it is thought to be less effective as it has limited effect range.

Usually cats mark territory when they have to compete or show their problem. When you go for monthly checks with him, what kind of checks does the vet do?

Thank you for taking the time to reply. He is neutered. He is currently taking an anti stress tablet which is natural and herbal which seems to be helping.

What anti stress tablets are you using please?

I've never used them, but I know that a lot of people on here use Zylkene. This is one source - others may come on to advise you where they find best to obtain them....

http://www.pet-supermarket.co.uk/Produc ... ate_window" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Aww bless him! I had an old lad (Finn) who passed on in Sept 13 and still miss him. Didn't know how old he was as he arrived as a feral entire and had to be retrained about weeing in the house after neutering. I used a system of supervision and lots of praise if he scored a bullseye in his tray and he became perfectly clean - but, in what I would guess were his middle teens, he began to be faecally incontinent. I was disgusted at first - but he was arthritic. One day I read that arthritic cats find it painful to squat in the tray. He'd often go to his tray, squat, wait - then then give up and emerge...and something else would emerge from his backside...lovely! At other times he just couldn't get there in time or he seemed to forget where he was. He had regular vet checkups and was on Metacam but still persisted (for about 3 years) in being my 'dirty old man' lol.

So I'm wondering if the arthritis could be a factor in your boy's reluctance to use his tray. Or one of the factors.

Hope this might help - good advice already given and other people will come forward to advise. I'm glad the tablets are helping him too and hope he goes on ok for good while yet. Please give him a big fuss from me; I love these old chaps even if they can be a pain in the whatsit!

Thank you everyone. It all helps. The stress tablets were Zylkene but now we are trying Naturacalm which apparently has a more immediate effect. Zylkene apparently needs to build up in the system, but either seems to help. Arthritis is a factor for certain. He has a long lasting pain jab for that, but one really simple solution has been to take the lids off the litter trays so he can get to them easier and to provide one really huge additional tray right where he likes to pee. Why didn't I think of that before? He is an adorable cat and when he does miss I just clean it up. That's life.

Hi, so glad you and he are working out a compromise. Give him a fuss from me and tell him he's to be a good lad now!

maria wrote: It is usually immediately preceeded by some wandering and weird mewing.

That could very well tie in with the litter trays and his inability to get into them. He wants to wee and do it where he should but it hurts too much to get into the tray and then it's too late and he can't hold it anymore

My old girl Molly had arthritis and what I found really helped for her was acupuncture. Speak to your vet and see if anyone at the practice does it. If you have pet insurance they may cover some alternative care?

Otherwise, glucosamine supplements like http://www.amazon.co.uk/Easeflex-Joint- ... s=easyflex" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; apparently work really well as well. Or your vet may have something else they recommend.

Fusses to your boys - 3 cats at 16, well done you!

Thank you for the replies and kind words. I will certainly speak to my vet about some supplements that may help those stiff joints. All cats duly tickled on the head from you kind folks!

Ps Meriad you may be right about the trays as he is much happier now he has easier access and doesn't fuss so much.