Cleaning up after an incontinent cat

Sandhy

Not after medical advice as I'm taking my 15 1/2 year old cat to the vet asap. He's a neutered male.

I'm beginning think his kidneys may be on the way out He's drinking loads, no interest in going out, looking listless and p££ing puddles (not spraying) in random places ~ although normal toileting he does in the litter tray.

He still want cuddles though

He looks so furtive and guilty. I never punish him. I have another cat too who is the same age who seems ok (they're from the same litter). They're getting old and sleep about 23 hours a day!

My question is what is the best way to clean up? What products work and what methods to use. I'm wondering about buying a carpet washer. Anyone use one of these?

The house is getting smelly despite my cleaning up efforts

scaredy_cat

puppy pads are useful to have around the litter tray if he's going 'over the edge'.

http://www.doityourself.com/forum/cleaning-stain-removal/263383-get-rid-cat-urine-smell-out-carpet.html#b - post 1 has a cleaning sol out of vinegar and baking powder to neutralise the smells.

Griizelda

Biological washing powder will take the smell away.

Good luck at the vets.

blossomhill_2

I agree with bio washing powder; I like to use Comfort Vaposresse ironing water on lino as it seems to neutralise accidents on lino very well
Here's hoping for you that it is just an infection rather than kidleys

Mrs_Z

Just to add that we have an eldery cat too who drinks and pees puddles - luckily (mostly) in a litter tray.

I recently took a pee sample to the vets as I was concerned about the lack of odour in the urine. Having googled it, it seemed to indicate a dilute urine and possibly problems with kidneys.

Well, I'm glad to say that the results came back very re-assuring; the vet said that they were normal, given her age and medical condition. Apparently old kidneys can not concentrate urine very well. Our cat will be 16 in autumn and also has hyperthyroidism.

Mrs_Z

Fortgot to mention that our cat stopped going out too (and started peeing indoors). This is a couple of months ago, hence we put a litter tray for her which she now uses. Not sure if she feels the cold or just feels safer indoors. She's otherwise very bright though. She eats slightly less that she used to, and has become very affectionate.

Mayflower10cat

Another possibility is Diabetes. Is he losing weight and his fur greasy and dandruffy?

Biological washing powder, (not bleach) should take the smell out of soft furnishings, Failing that, 'Simple Solution' (from pet shops, usually in the doggy grooming aisle) is brilliant at taking out organic soiling.

Please do keep us posted after you visit your vet.

Sandhy

Thanks for the replies

I've bought some biological washing liquid and some white vinegar and made up a spray bottle solution.

He's not lost weight and his fur's healthy-looking.

blossomhill_2

PS - the drinking loads could be related to teeth in an elderly cat - if he has cavities or has had some extractions then he may be drinking to get the food off his teeth/gums after eating, which could mean he has to p more to get rid of the excess, and not related to kidleys at all
HTH

Sandhy

Thanks. I need to bring a urine sample when I bring him in. Despite having lots of it around, I need to find the best way to do this. I'm thinking of having the litter tray with no litter in it and hope the right cat (out of the two of them) does a puddle for me in the litter tray!!!

Fridaycat

A cat may or may not "go" in the tray if there is no litter in it. You can, however, buy a special litter to put in that doesn't absorb any liquid (your vet should have it) and this makes it easy to get a sample. I had a cat with diabetes once, and also had three other cats at the time (all since passed away except Friday ) and I managed to get the correct sample to the vet on the several occasions I needed to.

I hope puss is ok