How can we ensure our blind senior cat always uses his litter box?
April 16, 2022 10:57 PM Subscribe
Our beloved cat, Ash, is 15 and has been blind for a couple of years. He had always been 100% with the litter box - never a problem at all - until he went blind. He knows where the box is, but if it's not immaculate, he will just poop on the floor. Please help!
So, we have two large litter pans (maybe 3'x1', 4" deep or so) and we use Cat Attract additive.
He enters the box at the closest side and immediately squats and goes, and doesn't cover it up. He always goes in one specific spot. This is fine... I guess, but if we don't clean both of them by the time he has to do #2, he just notices (by smell, I guess) that it's soiled and poops on the floor. We have put junk rugs down but he sometimes misses that.
I don't know if it matters but he always, always does #1 in the box, even if it means stepping in a previous spot and tracking litter all over the house.
He has some constipation issues so sometimes he starts in the box and then thinks he's done and starts walking and he's not quite done. We understand this and this is less of an issue for us. (And are treating his issue)
We are up to 3x a day cleaning both boxes. If we sleep in a little or aren't home, there's going to be poop on the floor. This has been mostly okay because we are both home nearly 24x7 due to COVID, but now we would like to travel. We don't have someone who could stay here with them when we travel nor do we want to board them.
Things we have tried:
1) Litter Maid boxes - he immediately squats and goes #1 as soon as he thinks he's in the right spot. About half the time, he's not on the right spot - he's standing approximately on top of the flap, and urine goes everywhere. If he *does* get in the right spot, it still gets all clumped up at the edge where the rake goes over the side.
2) Litter Robot - non starter because of our other cat who was going to destroy it (cat tax of him pretending to be normal)
3) We put the Litter Maid boxes up on a ramp so that maybe Ash would kind of get going up the ramp and then go further into the box - no dice
4) We used to have the litter boxes in a large cardboard box (like a refrigerator box) so if there was an accident, it would at least be contained, but it might be tough for him to navigate
5) Crystal automatic litter box - didn't work out for him because he always goes in the same spot
6) His vet has tested a sample to make sure he doesn't have worms or anything going on.
7) If I can remember to do the litter 4x a day or when I notice more activity he approaches 100% success. It's definitely what's causing it.
Things we are considering:
1) Maybe more litter boxes? But we only have so much spare room
2) Other auto cat boxes that are better for his immediate "stop and squat in the same spot" routine?
We are open to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance!
So, we have two large litter pans (maybe 3'x1', 4" deep or so) and we use Cat Attract additive.
He enters the box at the closest side and immediately squats and goes, and doesn't cover it up. He always goes in one specific spot. This is fine... I guess, but if we don't clean both of them by the time he has to do #2, he just notices (by smell, I guess) that it's soiled and poops on the floor. We have put junk rugs down but he sometimes misses that.
I don't know if it matters but he always, always does #1 in the box, even if it means stepping in a previous spot and tracking litter all over the house.
He has some constipation issues so sometimes he starts in the box and then thinks he's done and starts walking and he's not quite done. We understand this and this is less of an issue for us. (And are treating his issue)
We are up to 3x a day cleaning both boxes. If we sleep in a little or aren't home, there's going to be poop on the floor. This has been mostly okay because we are both home nearly 24x7 due to COVID, but now we would like to travel. We don't have someone who could stay here with them when we travel nor do we want to board them.
Things we have tried:
1) Litter Maid boxes - he immediately squats and goes #1 as soon as he thinks he's in the right spot. About half the time, he's not on the right spot - he's standing approximately on top of the flap, and urine goes everywhere. If he *does* get in the right spot, it still gets all clumped up at the edge where the rake goes over the side.
2) Litter Robot - non starter because of our other cat who was going to destroy it (cat tax of him pretending to be normal)
3) We put the Litter Maid boxes up on a ramp so that maybe Ash would kind of get going up the ramp and then go further into the box - no dice
4) We used to have the litter boxes in a large cardboard box (like a refrigerator box) so if there was an accident, it would at least be contained, but it might be tough for him to navigate
5) Crystal automatic litter box - didn't work out for him because he always goes in the same spot
6) His vet has tested a sample to make sure he doesn't have worms or anything going on.
7) If I can remember to do the litter 4x a day or when I notice more activity he approaches 100% success. It's definitely what's causing it.
Things we are considering:
1) Maybe more litter boxes? But we only have so much spare room
2) Other auto cat boxes that are better for his immediate "stop and squat in the same spot" routine?
We are open to any and all suggestions. Thanks in advance!
Friend, please don't take this the wrong way. The cat is 15 years old and blind and needs what sounds to me from your description like full time nursing... It could be time to think about quality of life vs length of life.
posted by McNulty at 2:09 AM on April 17, 2022
posted by McNulty at 2:09 AM on April 17, 2022
Honestly, when my elderly cat went blind and needed this level of care, I just accepted that I would not be traveling for the duration. But since there are two of you, perhaps you could trade off traveling, if you enjoy solo vacations?
Otherwise, yes, I'd see if adding even one more box, perhaps with puppy training pads around them for easier cleanup than rugs, could give you enough wiggle room that a cat sitter could come twice a day and be okay.
posted by Stacey at 4:53 AM on April 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Otherwise, yes, I'd see if adding even one more box, perhaps with puppy training pads around them for easier cleanup than rugs, could give you enough wiggle room that a cat sitter could come twice a day and be okay.
posted by Stacey at 4:53 AM on April 17, 2022 [2 favorites]
Y'all, it's not like he needs subcutaneous fluids and physical therapy! He just needs a creative poop solution. He sounds like a 45-year-old human who realizes they might want to stop wearing white pants and riding dirt bikes without elbow pads, not a 95-year-old on dialysis.
posted by amtho at 7:08 AM on April 17, 2022 [11 favorites]
posted by amtho at 7:08 AM on April 17, 2022 [11 favorites]
We use puppy pads for our 16 year old cat who sometimes forgets to bring her bum all the way into her litter box. We have tile floor, so that's not hard to clean, but it stops the urine flowing away from the box and better contains the spill.
posted by jb at 7:14 AM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by jb at 7:14 AM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Our 15 year old blind cat does something similar, and we’ve just accepted that sometimes she goes outside the box. We use these washable pads for under the box to catch stray litter/pee and it has worked well for us.
posted by msbubbaclees at 7:34 AM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by msbubbaclees at 7:34 AM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
When our senior cat started having litter box troubles we found placing the box on a washing machine tray along with some puppy pads helped protect the floor from his occasional misses and made for easy cleanup.
posted by platinum at 8:27 AM on April 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by platinum at 8:27 AM on April 17, 2022 [4 favorites]
I'll nth getting a third box + putting puppy pee pads around the litter box. When my cat went through some health issues that involved him having "episodes" of vomiting on my bed, those pee pads were so helpful.
Also, have you tried experimenting with changing the depth? I'm not sure if 4 inches deep refers to the pan or to the amount of the litter you have in there, but sometimes too much litter can be a problem especially for cats who are constipated because they can't grip/feel as stable. Or try adding more litter.
Do you add baking soda to the litter pans? I saw that recommended a couple places to help absorb odors.
Okay, and this is completely out of left field and kind of weird, I have no evidence that it will work, just throwing it out there: When you get the third litter box, I wonder if you could scoop some of their poop in there, let it sit for a bit, then remove it. Maybe do this a few times. Ideally do this before cats get access to the box. I'm wondering if this might encourage the cats to think of the new box as "#2 only" which would probably make your life significantly easier.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:50 AM on April 17, 2022
Also, have you tried experimenting with changing the depth? I'm not sure if 4 inches deep refers to the pan or to the amount of the litter you have in there, but sometimes too much litter can be a problem especially for cats who are constipated because they can't grip/feel as stable. Or try adding more litter.
Do you add baking soda to the litter pans? I saw that recommended a couple places to help absorb odors.
Okay, and this is completely out of left field and kind of weird, I have no evidence that it will work, just throwing it out there: When you get the third litter box, I wonder if you could scoop some of their poop in there, let it sit for a bit, then remove it. Maybe do this a few times. Ideally do this before cats get access to the box. I'm wondering if this might encourage the cats to think of the new box as "#2 only" which would probably make your life significantly easier.
posted by litera scripta manet at 8:50 AM on April 17, 2022
There's nothing in the question that suggests the cat has a poor quality of life - just some litterbox issues. I think that if you're going to suggest someone consider euthanasia for their pet, you should at least read their post carefully.
The litter robot is a really finicky piece of equipment. My mom had one, and she also had to get rid of it because her cats wanted to play with it constantly. It'd be great if it worked... but that seems like a crapshoot.
I can't quite picture what the problem was with the raking style automatic litter box you tried. What is it about always going in the same spot that was incompatible with that style of litter box? Is that type of of automatic box just out of the question, or was it a problem with this specific one (size, etc)?
When I had an older cat that kept going right outside the box, I moved the box to the spot she would go on. Somehow she ended up getting retrained to use the box. It's not quite the same problem, but would putting a litter tray right next right next to the main litter box, where he does his displeased poops, be possible?
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 10:53 AM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
The litter robot is a really finicky piece of equipment. My mom had one, and she also had to get rid of it because her cats wanted to play with it constantly. It'd be great if it worked... but that seems like a crapshoot.
I can't quite picture what the problem was with the raking style automatic litter box you tried. What is it about always going in the same spot that was incompatible with that style of litter box? Is that type of of automatic box just out of the question, or was it a problem with this specific one (size, etc)?
When I had an older cat that kept going right outside the box, I moved the box to the spot she would go on. Somehow she ended up getting retrained to use the box. It's not quite the same problem, but would putting a litter tray right next right next to the main litter box, where he does his displeased poops, be possible?
posted by Kutsuwamushi at 10:53 AM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
You’ve answered your own question. #7 for the win. There is no “if” though. Set a timer, work out a schedule, MAKE yourself remember to clean the boxes. Seriously, it only takes a few minutes.
This is also something that you could hire a pet sitter to do so you can go on trips.
As far as work goes, clean right before you leave, and as soon as you return home. If it’s possible to adjust schedules so one of you could do a mid day cleaning, that would be ideal. If you have a kind neighbor or friend that you trust to come into your home, work out a deal and pay them to stop in and scoop.
I think that with time, your cat will be more trusting that the box will be clean and will become more accurate in doing their business.
posted by LaBellaStella at 11:13 AM on April 17, 2022
This is also something that you could hire a pet sitter to do so you can go on trips.
As far as work goes, clean right before you leave, and as soon as you return home. If it’s possible to adjust schedules so one of you could do a mid day cleaning, that would be ideal. If you have a kind neighbor or friend that you trust to come into your home, work out a deal and pay them to stop in and scoop.
I think that with time, your cat will be more trusting that the box will be clean and will become more accurate in doing their business.
posted by LaBellaStella at 11:13 AM on April 17, 2022
Response by poster: Thanks for all the responses so far! Ash is 100% independent and fine in every way except for this one issue. He goes up ramps to get on the bed or the couch, he eats and drinks fine, he 'barks' at us when it's time for his 'treats' (medicine) - really this is the only issue he has.
Answers - he doesn't have one place he poops if he's not sure the box is clear - it's kind of all over the perimeter of the general litter box area.
The 'automatic raking' boxes - because he gets in and as soon as he senses he's in he starts peeing - IF he has actually made it into the box and not on the flap - he pees so close to the edge that there's not really any litter there (due to the angle of the box and that you cannot put more litter in than it allows or it jams up) and we have to manually get in there and maintain it a few times a day just like we do with a manual box.
We don't have any friends or family nearby or anyone we trust to come over. We will be looking for a pet sitter so we can travel but it's tough because we are so far out of town (especially if we need them to come by several times a day). For now we have only taken 'single' vacations for the last several months since COVID ended ;).
We appreciate all the responses so far and can definitely just do #7 when we are here. Usually one or both of us can step away more often from work if this would alleviate his episodes. The cats are our children so it's minimal effort to do it one or two more times a day.
Thank you all!
posted by getawaysticks at 11:53 AM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Answers - he doesn't have one place he poops if he's not sure the box is clear - it's kind of all over the perimeter of the general litter box area.
The 'automatic raking' boxes - because he gets in and as soon as he senses he's in he starts peeing - IF he has actually made it into the box and not on the flap - he pees so close to the edge that there's not really any litter there (due to the angle of the box and that you cannot put more litter in than it allows or it jams up) and we have to manually get in there and maintain it a few times a day just like we do with a manual box.
We don't have any friends or family nearby or anyone we trust to come over. We will be looking for a pet sitter so we can travel but it's tough because we are so far out of town (especially if we need them to come by several times a day). For now we have only taken 'single' vacations for the last several months since COVID ended ;).
We appreciate all the responses so far and can definitely just do #7 when we are here. Usually one or both of us can step away more often from work if this would alleviate his episodes. The cats are our children so it's minimal effort to do it one or two more times a day.
Thank you all!
posted by getawaysticks at 11:53 AM on April 17, 2022 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Follow up - the vet said he was 'the most arthritic cat' she had ever seen. I went out of town a week later and basically he couldn't walk (Mr. Getawaysticks was able to care for him). We were able to keep him around while he was still eating and in good spirits for about 10 more weeks.
Thanks again for all the feedback and thoughtful responses. And thanks especially for the suggestion of puppy pads which saved our bacon over and over during that 10 weeks.
posted by getawaysticks at 9:04 PM on July 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
Thanks again for all the feedback and thoughtful responses. And thanks especially for the suggestion of puppy pads which saved our bacon over and over during that 10 weeks.
posted by getawaysticks at 9:04 PM on July 13, 2022 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
You could try placing the box on an extra large silicone food mat with a shallow lip like this one. We have something similar for our very messy eater, he likes to take wet food from his bowl and eat it from the ground like, well, an animal, and splashes water around like he’s some kind of Labrador instead of a seemingly normal black cat. It wipes clean and can go in the dishwasher. The lip is flexible so it can get squished and not hurt paws but will be noticeable by a blind cat. You can find these in lots of sizes.
posted by Mizu at 12:32 AM on April 17, 2022