My cat is a 12 year old male whom I’ve had since before his eyes were fully open (I also have a 14 year old male cat). I’ve never had issues with him and going to the bathroom until recently. Since he was a kitten, I’ve always used a covered litter box and both cats always shared one box. About 6 or 7 months ago I got a second box.
This is covered as well, the only difference between the 2 is the original is a dome and the new one is more box shaped. Over the last 2 months he has started to get urine all over him.
One time it was so bad, it looked like he got dunked in a bucket. I thought maybe he had an accident in the house and rolled in it but any time this urine issue happens, I search the house and find no accidents. I tried eliminating anything that I thought could cause it. Example, I emptied and washed both boxes and switched from scented to unscented cat litter but stuck with the same brand I’ve used since they were kittens. Well, the issue keeps happening.
Urine on his sides and rear end mainly, occasionally on his back which still baffles me since gravity doesn’t work that way!!! He is still eating and drinking, still snuggly and loving. No changes in his behavior at all.
The only logical explanation I can think of is maybe he is hitting the side of the cover and it bounces back on him?? But why hasn’t it happened before if that’s the case?
I called my vet just to get opinions and recommendations on litter boxes to try and instead of the doctor actually calling me back the girl at the counter did and she said they won’t give me any advice unless I pay to bring him in.
She kept saying he needs to be seen if he’s having accidents in the house and I tried explaining to her he’s not having accidents in the house at all that it’s ONLY when he uses the litter box that this happens and she wouldn’t listen and hung up on me.
I’m at a loss and I feel awful like I’m gonna give my poor old man a heart attack giving him so many baths but I can’t leave him soaked in urine. Has this happened to anyone else?!?! Please does someone have any answers for this frustrating and mind boggling situation.
Thank you for reaching out. I can imagine how distressing it must be to witness your senior cat going through this. I’m truly sorry to hear that he's been getting urine all over him.
I am also puzzled and agree that he may be hitting the side of the cover, and it bounces back on him. Perhaps he started elevating his bum more (peeing vertically) due to a medical cause like a urinary tract infection, or he doesn’t like the new litter. It’s also possible that he is producing a more significant amount of urine due to a potential health issue such as kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or Feline Idiopathic Cystitis. Is the amount of urine unusual? Is he grooming his genital areas more than usual?
Older cats hide pain; does he possibly have arthritis and is trying to urinate in an abnormal position?
It’s also possible that he scratches a lot in the litter tray before urination, creating a big bare spot without any litter, and then he urinates a large puddle in that area, causing his back area to get wet. Try different litter depths to see if that makes any difference, but monitor his urine output by measuring the amount of urine in the litter or using a special litter that changes color when it comes into contact with urine.
Have any changes occurred within the household or environment two to three months ago? Anxiety and stress can cause unusual elimination habits.
Inter-cat conflict can also impact your 12-year-old cat. I’m unsure of the location of the second tray, but you can try relocating it to another room, away from the existing tray, to see if it makes any difference in case he was getting blocked by the 14-year-old male cat in your household.
Any sudden change in elimination behavior is a significant sign and warrants a veterinary consultation. Your keen observations and the additional information you can provide through a webcam near the trays will be invaluable in helping your veterinarian make an accurate diagnosis.
I'm hopeful that you can make an appointment to see the vet and get your cat the help it needs. Remember, early intervention can often lead to successful outcomes.
All the best,
Melina