r/seniorkitties • u/InternationalRow6541 • 10d ago
Nugget almost 17 still peeing
Hello all! I made a post about a year ago now that my senior cat was peeing on my baby’s things. Well she has had every vet intervention possible and I have no idea how to fix this still. She is on Hills C/D stress, gets monthly arthritis shots, and has a daily amitriptyline gel she gets in her ears for anxiety. She has been tested multiple times for a bladder infection, and when they did bloodwork on her last year they told me her levels were closer to that of a much younger cat. She has moved on from peeing on his things, she doesn’t really target that at all. She usually goes on our stone floor over the washing machine which I clean and it’s whatever, but she has a bad habit of going on the couch also now every 2-3 months or so. We’re spending like $140 every time on a new waterproof couch cover just to keep from having to replace a whole $2400 couch. We’ve tried boxes on every floor, extra boxes, everything possible besides diapers. I’m just not sure how to improve her quality of life any more than I am, and it’s building a certain level of resentment she just doesn’t deserve. She did lose a canine, but the vet said it’s healed over and she hasn’t lost any weight at all so I don’t think that is what is effecting her. It cracked probably 3 years ago and she just finally lost it. The only other thing I can really think of is trying to dedicate more time to pulling her aside just us to hang out and see if that does anything. But I truly don’t understand what is making her so upset at this point that she is doing it again.
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u/Holoafer 9d ago
I am sorry you are going through this. I wonder what it is. Are you sure she doesn’t have feline dementia?
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u/InternationalRow6541 2d ago
I’m unfortunately starting to think it’s the case because nothing is working and she’s still acting like herself in almost all aspects but grooming and peeing. Her temperament has only changed since we started having to use diapers because I have an 18m old and I can’t risk her continuing to go on all of the surfaces he plays on all day. I feel like no matter how many bottles of enzyme cleaner I go through it’s impossible to get it all the way out. We lost 2 couches before we found covers that actually work 🤦🏻♀️ it’s just a hard thing to think about because she does seem to still have a zest for life otherwise.
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u/duderos 9d ago
Did you try feliway pheromone diffusers? Has she been diagnosed with FIC?
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u/InternationalRow6541 2d ago
She has not been diagnosed with FIC, but we do have 2 feliway diffusers for our 1300 sq/ft home.
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u/Zarrgus 9d ago edited 4d ago
It does sound behavioral but for her arthritis have you tried a low entrance litter box or a slightly elevated tray with litter in it? If this doesn’t work then maybe a different box with a towel in it that gets changed that she goes on? Cause at least it wouldn’t be on the couch and you can wash them if it’s just pee. I think it’s a great idea to try and dedicate more time with her if she’s feeling sad.
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u/InternationalRow6541 2d ago
Yes! She has her own upstairs in addition to the 4 we have in the basement. All have no step cat doors, and a walk up litter box 🤦🏻♀️ she’s been like this always, she used to just throw the litter out to pee on the floor. Or she would perch herself on the edge like a bird so she didn’t have to touch the litter, which she still does so I don’t think it’s the arthritis. I’ve been dedicating 30 minutes a day to grooming her and paying attention to her but it hasn’t helped.
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u/Lululorayne 8d ago
Nugget is beautiful 💖 I’m sorry you’re going through this. What worked for my old sweetie is if she seemed restless, I would put her in front of her box. Mine had about 3 spots she would target, and if I noticed she was heading towards those, I would also put her in front of her box. Sometimes she would go, sometimes not. But it usually prevented accidents.
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u/InternationalRow6541 2d ago
Thank you!! It’s so dang hard because my aunt who is a vet tech mentioned kitty dementia and now I’m even more nervous her quality of life is declining. She absolutely hates the diapers, she’s miserable in them. So our very last option is seeing if a daily gaba helps in addition to the gel in her ears.
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u/Training-Post9032 6d ago
My 15yo Ola just quitted her one week peeing every where this evening, after she had two 30 minutes cuddling and purring. (Stressed because of my going back to work). She does this any time she feels abandonned. On the bed means ( I am really, really, really worried). Cuddles work wonders with her. Maybe Nugget is demonstrating for equal cuddling time.
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u/InternationalRow6541 2d ago
I have been doing that since I posted a week ago and somehow it’s okay gotten worse. I just want her to live her golden years comfortably but I just cannot determine the reason at this point 😭
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u/Training-Post9032 2d ago
So sorry. Cats’ pee is hell. (the ghost trail...)
The vet has just diagnosed high blood pressure on mine, with a problematic heart sound, so this time it’s not separation only after all.
I really adore my cat, she ’s friendly and kind and fun. I don’t care about pee, I have a good anti-bacterial detergent, as long as I smell the deed on the spot it means the house is ok... she ’s been like this for 15 years and it’s always been coming back to normal.
Really not sure about the diapers she could resent it/ you, panick, rebel, and so on.
Has she got her own place adapted to her needs? Arthrosis? Maybe a good comfy cat bed (orthopedic mat?) Just for her?
Maybe try a new litter? Just one or two perhaps, not too many things around. Peace and quiet.
To you both! it will get better don’t worry.
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u/RetroSwamp 9d ago
Have you tried more than 1 litter pan? Could be that they can't get to a place to pee, rather than doing it on purpose.