What litter box suits an older cat?

International Cat Care says: Older cats may struggle to climb into high sided trays and benefit from lower sided trays or trays with a side cut out for easy access. It also says: Open trays with low sides are ideal for older cats, but trial and error will help you to find your cat's preference.

Where should I put litter boxes for an older cat?

Cats Protection says: Place litter trays in quiet, private areas that your cat can get to easily. The Cornell Feline Health Center says: Do not locate the litter box upstairs or downstairs if your cat has trouble climbing stairs.

Senior Cat Peeing Outside the Litter Box: Cleanup and Home Setup

Q: Should an older cat peeing outside the box see a vet?

The ASPCA says: The first step in resolving elimination outside the litter box is to rule out urine marking and medical problems. Have your cat checked thoroughly by a veterinarian.

Q: What litter is best for an older cat?

Cats Protection says: Elderly cats may find rough litters such as gravel or wood pellets uncomfortable to use. A soft, sand-like litter is best.

Q: Should I punish my cat for peeing outside the box?

The Cornell Feline Health Center says: House soiling can be a frustrating problem, but you should never hit, kick, or scream at a cat. Punishments like these are not only ineffective, the anxiety they cause may actually worsen the house soiling problem.

Q: Why clean the spot quickly?

The Cornell Feline Health Center says: Cats will re-soil and spray areas they have marked with their scent, so cleaning cat-soiled items is crucial for breaking the cycle of elimination. Cleaning is most effective when it's done soon after an item was soiled.

This guide covers an older cat that has started peeing outside the litter box: the health check first, a litter box setup that suits an older cat, how to tell the patterns apart, what not to do, and how to clean the spot so the smell does not draw your cat back. It uses what International Cat Care, Cats Protection, the Cornell Feline Health Center, the ASPCA, Humane World for Animals and the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) say.

Start with a health check

The ASPCA's litter box article says: "The first step in resolving elimination outside the litter box is to rule out urine marking and medical problems. Have your cat checked thoroughly by a veterinarian."

Cats Protection lists among the common signs of ageing in cats "toileting changes. They may need to poo or pee more or less frequently". It adds: "While ageing is a normal process, older cats are more prone to various health conditions. Some of the signs above may be part of ageing, and others could be signs of a health concern."

Sources: ASPCA, Litter Box Problems; Cats Protection, Elderly cats.

A box an older cat can get into

The ASPCA says: "Geriatric cats or cats with physical limitations may have a difficult time using certain types of litter boxes such as top-entry boxes, or litter boxes with high sides."

International Cat Care says: "Older cats may struggle to climb into high sided trays and benefit from lower sided trays or trays with a side cut out for easy access." On senior cats it says "Open trays with low sides are ideal for older cats, but trial and error will help you to find your cat's preference."

The Cornell Feline Health Center says: "Young kittens, elderly cats, and cats with mobility problems need boxes with low sides." Cats Protection says the tray should "have a low side. This will help your older cat to comfortably climb in and out".

Sources: ASPCA, Litter Box Problems; International Cat Care, Soiling indoors; International Cat Care, Special considerations for senior cats; Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling; Cats Protection, Elderly cats.

Where to put the boxes, and how many

For older cats, Cats Protection says: "Reassure them by providing several litter trays around the house." It says to "Place litter trays in quiet, private areas that your cat can get to easily", and: "If your cat struggles to climb the stairs, keep their food bowl, water bowl, litter tray, scratching surface and beds on one level for easy access".

As general advice for all cats, the Cornell Feline Health Center says: "Most cats prefer a location that is quiet, private, separate from their feeding area, and easily accessible 24 hours a day. Do not locate the litter box upstairs or downstairs if your cat has trouble climbing stairs. Place multiple boxes in different areas of the house." The ASPCA says: "Make sure you have one for each cat in your household, plus one extra." and "If you live in a multistory residence, you may need to provide a litter box on each level."

Sources: Cats Protection, Elderly cats; Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling; ASPCA, Litter Box Problems.

Litter type and a clean box

Cats Protection says: "Elderly cats may find rough litters such as gravel or wood pellets uncomfortable to use. A soft, sand-like litter is best".

As general advice for all cats, the ASPCA says: "Virtually all cats like clean litter boxes, so scoop and change your cat's litter at least once a day." and "Most cats like a shallow bed of litter. Provide one to two inches of litter rather than three to four inches." The Cornell Feline Health Center says: "Litter should be changed often enough so that it looks and smells dry and clean." For keeping box odor down, see Pet Cleanup Kit's litter box smell guide.

Sources: Cats Protection, Elderly cats; ASPCA, Litter Box Problems; Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling.

How to tell the patterns apart

These descriptions are general, not specific to older cats. International Cat Care says: "To pass urine, your cat squats and passes urine on a horizontal surface." In contrast: "To spray urine, your cat stands up, usually making a treading motion with their back feet, quivers their tail and urine is sprayed backwards onto a vertical surface such as a wall, leaving an obvious scent mark." The ASPCA says: "A cat who urine marks will regularly eliminate in her litter box, but will also deposit urine in other locations, usually on vertical surfaces." If you see spraying on furniture, see Cat Urine on a Cat Tree or Scratching Post.

On a cat that dislikes its box, the Cornell Feline Health Center says: "A cat with an aversion to her litter box will usually eliminate on a variety of surfaces. You may find puddles of urine or feces on soft surfaces like carpets, beds, or clothing, or on hard surfaces like tile floors or bathtubs." On a cat that is afraid of the box, the ASPCA says: "You may also notice her eliminating nearby, but not inside her box." For any age, see Cat Peeing or Pooping Outside the Litter Box: Cleanup Steps; for young cats, Kitten Accidents: How to Clean Up and Stop Repeat Spots.

Sources: International Cat Care, Soiling indoors; ASPCA, Litter Box Problems; Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling.

Do not punish

The Cornell Feline Health Center says:

"House soiling can be a frustrating problem, but you should never hit, kick, or scream at a cat. Punishments like these are not only ineffective, the anxiety they cause may actually worsen the house soiling problem."

It adds that "rubbing a cat's face in its excrement is ineffective because cats are not disgusted by their urine and feces, and they cannot make the connection between the treatment and the mess, even moments after they've done it." International Cat Care says: "Your cat isn't seeking revenge or making a point".

Sources: Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling; International Cat Care, Soiling indoors.

Clean the spot so the smell does not draw your cat back

The Cornell Feline Health Center says: "Cats will re-soil and spray areas they have marked with their scent, so cleaning cat-soiled items is crucial for breaking the cycle of elimination. Cleaning is most effective when it's done soon after an item was soiled".

For a fresh spot on carpet, Humane World for Animals says: "Rinse the "accident zone" thoroughly with clean, cool water and blot dry." The CRI says "Blot; don't scrub." and "you should still pretest any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of your carpet." The Cornell Feline Health Center warns:

"Avoid cleaning products containing ammonia or vinegar as they smell like urine and can be irritating."

The ASPCA also says: "If your cat soils in just a few spots, place litter boxes there." More on repeat spots: Why Do Dogs and Cats Keep Peeing in the Same Spot? If the smell returns, see Pet Urine Smell Came Back After Cleaning: Why and What to Do. For an older dog, see Senior Dog Accidents: Cleanup Steps for an Older Dog.

Sources: Cornell Feline Health Center, Feline Behavior Problems: House Soiling; Humane World for Animals, Get urine smell and pet stains out of carpet; CRI, Cleaning and Maintenance; ASPCA, Litter Box Problems.

Using P-Cleaner

P-Cleaner is the Pet Stain & Odor Eliminator Foaming Liquid from Pet Cleanup Kit. The product listing says: "Our rinse-free, water-based formula tackles the toughest stains and odors from urine, feces, vomit, and other organic messes on carpets, rugs, upholstery, and hard surfaces." It also says: "Works on carpets, upholstery, tile, and more.", "No scrubbing necessary" and "Odor-Free & Residue-Free". Test it on a hidden spot first, as the CRI advises above. Follow the directions on the product label.

Buy P-Cleaner on petcleanupkit.com

Quoted from the petcleanupkit.com product listing.