Senior Cat Not Using Litter Box

Common possible reasons for a cat not using the litter box.

Senior cat not using litter box. If it goes on carpeting install a carpet remnant in its box. Maybe a senior cat not using a litter box involves a hearing problem or vision loss. A cat with arthritis may struggle to climb over the sides of a deep tray and eventually give up trying altogether. Senior cat litter box problems happen all too often and aren t necessarily a reflection of the cat s previous habits.

If it targets paper line the bottom of the box with paper. General cognitive decline along with a vision or hearing loss may make it difficult for your cat to locate and use the box. An older cat may eliminate outside the litter box even if he is neutered. For instance if your kitty likes tile leave the bottom of the litter box bare.

Cats not using the litter box or spraying around the house do this during the mating season or simply to mark his territory. Switching types of litter too often. Cat is not spayed or neutered. Some senior felines never have any litter box problems.

Whether your cat failed to learn faithful toilet etiquette as a kitten or simply developed litter box problems as it got older such issues are common with advancing age. This behavior is less likely to happen in older cats as older cats even if not neutered are less active and less aggressive. Cat doesn t like litter box type. Some cats especially senior cats are just too sore to get in and out of the litter box.

Too much or too little litter in the litter box. Using the wrong size litter box. Degenerative joint disease various forms of arthritis cancer. Cat is not litter box trained.

If so if you notice that your cat avoids the litter box this may be the reason. Cat has a medical issue. Take a look at the surface where your cat prefers to defecate and try duplicating that surface in the litter box. Cat doesn t like type of litter.