Why is my cat suddenly urinating outside of the litter box?

Why would your 16-year-old cat suddenly start urinating next to the litter box?

• Answer:

  As long as there are no other symptoms i.e. he's still eating and drinking and going to the toilet regularly and seems generally happy in himself then chances are it's just old age. Perhaps your cat's senses are fading. Maybe he's just finding it more difficult to get into the litter box. Try making the box more accessible for him, or alternatively make up some sort of tray that he can just walk on to as opposed to having to climb in. Cats are creatures of habit so if he's finding that going to the toilet outside the box makes life a little easier he will probably continue to do it unless you give him an alternative. If this works no need to worry as long as everything else is ok with him. 16 is a fine age for a cat and in his twilight years he deserves all the comforts he wants! ANSWER my cat was 17 when he started this, it was most likely incontinence, he just couldn't hold it, also i did move it to where ever he was so it was easier for him to get to and that deffinately helped, we changed the litter several times to new stones, paper, paper kitchen towels etc although i was still a bit suspicious as he was still sometimes going next to and near it and i think that it could have been also down to his stroke hed had one and we hadnt noticed as its difficult to ascertain, i looked back after the vet mentioned that and it all made sence i went through all the things that were different or strange, and infact he had another one only months later and acted odd again i don't want to worry you by saying that but it is a huge possibility in old cats (same as old people) so look out for other signs, mostly strange behaviours and differences and of course take the cat to a vet,( especially if you havnt recently, old cats need regular vet care and medicines.) f4 Answer: Sometimes a urinary tract infection can cause this type of behavior, as well as urinating in places other than the litterbox. See your vet. ANSWER Our girl Misha made it to just over 19 years old. She started peeing is a couple of corners and just wouldn't stop. The vet said that she had no bladder infection or other sickness. We finally realized that she was just so old and maybe it was a senility thing. She WOULD on ocassion use the box to pee in. She also had bowel problems and would drop a nugget just about anywhere - at least they were easy to clean up. This lasted for maybe a year - it did seem endless, but she had asked so little from us for that lifetime of love - we knew we just had to deal with it without anger. She couldn't help it. Now she's been gone for close to a year - I really wouldn't mind just one more pee-spot or nugget just to pet her again. Our best advice is after making sure with a vet regarding health issues just to use pee pads on the floor or lay down newspapers - easy and cheap. Focus on the time and love that you have now. One day there will be no more messes. ANOTHER ANSWER Maby you need to clean the litter box real well and if the cat does not stop peeing next to the litter box mabyreplace the litter.