What do I do about my cat?

Soph, she's old. Ever been to a senior facility? They all stink like pee. Your kitty can't help it. Save your money, don't waste it on products that don't work.

Soph, she's old. Ever been to a senior facility? They all stink like pee. Your kitty can't help it. Save your money, don't waste it on products that don't work.

Just like what happens to us when we get old animals also lose control of their business. That might be what it is. She might be too old and she's having "Whoops! Oy, thought that was just going to be air." moments or she may not be able to hold it even long enough to make it to where she can bury it anymore.

(Cats naturally want to bury their droppings in loose soil or sand. Nature never leaves.)

Things you can do if you haven't / aren't that I can think of:

- Make sure the litter box is scooped and clean. Always. If you let it go and don't scoop and refill it with fresh litter several times a day that might be why she's not going it it when she doesn't. It's full and stinks. Cats have a better sense of smell than we do and they know where they put things.

Make sure it's clean, super clean. Dump it out completely and scrub it with soap and hot water at least once a week or every couple days.

- if it's a matter of not being able to hold it in long enough to get to the thunder box maybe putting more litter boxes in different places would help.

You don't say how old your cat is. Old for a cat might be 15 years or over. But, that doesn't mean you can't do things to help her or determine why she is doing this.

Your cat may have a bladder infection. If a cat has a bladder infection, the cat may think the pain she experiences when she urinates, is actually caused by her litter box, so she tries different places in hopes it won't hurt. She also may have to go in a hurry, and won't have time to find or get to her box, since a bladder infection can cause "urgency". 

Take her to the vet to be checked; an antibiotic can treat this condition. No matter what other things you do, if she has a bladder infection, it won't just go away on its own - it needs to be treated.

You should also place additional boxes in different places so it is easy for her to get to them. If you really had to go and the toilet was upstairs, you might be upset and possibly not "make it" to the bathroom. If she also has arthritis, these added boxes will be appreciated by her so she doesn't have to go too far to find one. Be sure the boxes are kept clean, and aren't in a high traffic area that she may find upsetting. Either way, put them where she seems to prefer.

A cat who is used to pottying outdoors will also appreciate a larger box, since they are used to finding totally clean areas outside. The larger box will give them more of a choice. Again, keep it clean or even put a little grass over the litter or some bark chips.

Clean areas where she has gone and appreciate that it is on a hard surface and not carpeting. 

If your cat is indeed, old, she will need to be checked anyway. Older kitties can suffer things that just need a bit of "tuning up" and a vet can tell you how she is doing.

TAKE HER TO THE VET.