cat help please

gettingbetter

hi

just thought i would ask here

we have a cat who is 16 and a bit years old
for the last 2 weeks she has been pooping on the landing upstairs
as you imagine i am not very happy

the doors are left so she can always get to her tray
not being nasty
is it time she went
i really cant afford a new carpet which i will have to get if this carries on
or is she just being bone idle

any help would be appreciated

kas xx

Fire_Fox

Why are your first thoughts that she is being lazy or to PTS?? Have you taken her to the vet to see if she is unwell? Have you washed down the area with biological washing powder? Have you put an new litter tray near where she poops? Have you changed her food or litter, is the existing tray clean? Has she been stressed, are there any other cats that might be guarding the tray? Has anything at all changed in the house in the last few weeks?

gettingbetter

hi

no other cats in house
tray is cleaned daily
she is fussy about litter and if its changed she wont use
same with food if we change it she wont eat
nothing changed at all
thats why i am at a loss
next step is to go to vets
just thought i would ask here and maybe save some money

sorry if i sounded harsh
yes area does get washed throughly each time

kas xx

gettingbetter

she hasnt gone off food
and stools are normal

kas xx

Fire_Fox

Pooping where you shouldn't is a sign of sickness (or age) or stress. Does she go out at all, does a neighbour have a new cat, could another cat be coming in the house when you are at work? I'd first put a second litter tray near where she is pooping as it might be she needs to go suddenly now she is older, it won't cost much to organise to try a new tray after all. Really best to see the vet, even the vet nurse which might be cheaper. Make sure when you wash down it's bio washing powder, or the cat can still smell where she went even if you can't.

gettingbetter

thanks fire

she hardly goes out
will try moving her tray
will make appointment at vet
thanks again

kas xx

snapping_crocodile

You could also be changing her litter too often. If it is smelling new everyday, and not like her, she may have forgotton that that is where she is supposed to go. Maybe change it once every few days (just scoop the poop if there is any in there!)

emlou2009

i would try putting the tray where she is pooping, and then gradually and slooooowly moving it back to where i wanted it, like a few inches every day.

i caught my kitten weeing on my kitchen carpet the other day where his tray used to be kept before i slowly moved it to the bathroom, but i havent considered getting rid of him i'd rather they pooped on the carpet than weed, at least you can pick up poop if its solid!

ETA, edited my post cos i misread yours as you having a 16 week old kitten :doh:

blossom30

Hi Sorry to hear about your wee cat. You must be a really good owner for your wee cat to reach the ripe old age of 16 as 14 is average for a cat.
My wee cat Nell lived until she was 18 and I did start noticing problems with her about a year before she died. She had liver problems (she had a lump in her belly which I think was a tumour) but the vet kept her going with fortikar and I forget the other tablet anyway to cut a long story short she started weeing outside her litter tray. I decided to remove the litter and just put in an old newspaper and she was happy with this and started using the tray again. I spoke to the vet about this and he couldn't explain it but I think she found the litter uncomfortable maybe it was hurting her wee belly whenshe was squatting. My other cat who died 6 mths before her also done this but she had advanced arthritis . In the end I called my wee nell !!!!y paws as I had to wash the kitchen floor when she visited the tray and left her wee paw prints on the floor. shrewdalx

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Depends - is the litter tray upstairs with her, or is it possible that arthritis is making it a bit too much of a struggle to traipse downstairs to find it?

wannabepennypincher

My old man cat used to go outside his tray for number 2's every now and again as he would get 'bunged up' and as he was in pain straining to go he associated the tray with pain and would refuse to use it til it passed and it stopped hurting. I would take her to get checked as my vet used to say at that age any major changes in habit are worth mentioning.

Cats generally like to be clean and they don't go outside it for the sake of it or because they are lazy.