Older cats enjoy sleeping wherever they feel comfortable.
Older cats, just like us, can run into incontinence problems. If we are female and have had children, these problems can be embarrassing. I’m sure many of us have had small accidents when sneezing and coughing and I’m sure we all just get to the nearest rest room and hope that no-one notices. I know the first time it happened to me I renewed my pelvic floor exercises with a vengeance as I was far too young to have incontinence problems.
It is harder for cats when they face incontinence problems. Because cats are such fastidious creatures, they are highly embarrassed. They feel they have ‘let the family down’ and will even withdraw from being around them.
If you older cat is no longer making it to the litter box, there could be a number of reasons. If you have recently changed the litter material, perhaps your cat doesn’t like the feel or smell of it. If this is a totally new behavior however, your first concern should be that there is not a medical problem. A trip to the vet to rule out a urinary tract infection, diabetes or other medical problems is advised.
Can your older cat still get into the litter box easily? If arthritis is affecting its joints and making it harder to move quickly or climb in, a litter box with lower sides will help.
It could be just that your old friend cannot make it to the litter tray or outside any longer. Having a few extra litter boxes placed strategically around the house could solve the problem.
True incontinence in cats is when they leak involuntarily as they move. If this is the case you have some decisions to make. There are pet nappies available but weigh the convenience of using these against how your cat will feel wearing something so alien and uncomfortable. Are you prepared to continue cleaning up little leaks?. If your cat has no other problems, perhaps this is something you can do to repay the years of love and joy it has given you and your family. What is the general quality of life of your cat now. You need to decide when the pain or quality of life is not enough. This is a very tough decision but one that your family might need to make.
Incontinence in older cats does not mean the end of everything. Many incontinent cats continue to bring delight to us and enjoy life, especially if they are give some extra love and attention. Older cats need special care. You can find a lot of helpful information in *Veterinary Secrets Revealed, which has been written by a vet who has practiced Veterinary Medicine for over a decade.
