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Sudden changes in litter box behavior in two differently-aged cats.
We have an older cat, somewhere near 17 or 18, who has a renal disorder and therefore drinks a lot of water. While we have two litter boxes (a Booda Dome and a Clever Cat) he really only uses the Booda Dome, which we clean and fill regularly.
Starting about a week ago he basically peed on his own back feet or stood in the pee puddle he was creating and had urine spray on his back end. This had never happened before, so we let it go, but it happened again a few days later and is now happening every day, to varying degrees. We tried to help by filling the litter box even more and cleaning it out twice a day, but to no avail.
Then yesterday our 2 year old cat started doing it too! The younger cat – who has always had flawless litter box etiquette – also seemingly sprayed in the Clever Cat.
I already left a message with the vet, but is there any reason both cats' pee habits might change at the same time? We haven't changed anything and haven't noticed any other behavioral changes.
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Member 1036832
on Jun 10th 2011
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I can't really say why your 2-year old would have changes in litter box behaviors, but your older cat with renal disease I can relate to. I had a cat who died from end stage renal failure a few years back. She started falling down and going to the bathroom in puddles on the floor. I purchased some puppy pads and put them around the litter box and she did use them. When cats are ill and weak they don't have the energy to climb into the litter box and go potty. The puppy pads worked and then I eventually took the litter box away. As the kidney disease progressed, she became weak and anemic and would actually lick her cat litter. I didn't want her to become obstructed from ingesting clumping litter. In any event, maybe both cats should be seen by your veterinarian for a proper diagnosis. I am just speaking from experience with my own cat. Best of luck.
Member 185886
answered on 6/10/11.
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One would think that, since incontinence is not contagious, there must be a common denomimator between your 2 cats. I am assuming that both cats are indoor cats and that there is no chance they could have both been injured outdoors. Is it possible that they may have ingested something such as a houseplant or human food that may have caused damage to their urinary tracts or even possibly had a diuretic effect on them? Your little old guy is already compromised, but as you said the younger one has always used the box. This does lead me to believe that over the past few weeks, both cats possibly got into something. Blood, urine and stool testing should be performed on both cats. Please keep us updated on what you find out and best wishes to the boys.
Izadore (Izzie)
answered on 6/10/11.
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I don't know much about males as far as urine issues but in conjunction with what the others said, I was thinking that maybe your younger cat is reacting to the smell of the other guy's pee in strange places (if it's on him, it may be transferring to wherever he lies down and possibly smells different than it normally does) and he may also be reacting to the possible illness of the poor old fellow. Cats know when something is wrong. I would definitely see the vet with the elderly boy right away.
Allie
answered on 6/10/11.
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