Need to see if I'm missing anything

[Tammy2009]

My old girl is having some litter box issues lately and I need some help if I've missed anything.  

Smokey is 19 years old about (stray we got at 2-3 years in 94) but has been very healthy up to now.  She goes for yearly health checks and vaccines and had blood/urine work done a year last may which was perfect to a tee.  I do rotate their wet and dry food but dropped one brand (go natural trout) because I didn't relize it was high protein - 50% - and since older cats tend to get kidney failure I didn't want her on it at that age.  The other brands I use (including the chicken version of go natural) are all roughly 30-38% protein and good quality brands.  She eats a lot of wet food and does drink a good amount of water.  

I thought it was orginally my young cat (3 years) that was peeing downstairs until I caught Smokey peeing on the carpet.  I cleaned it up and now the basement is off limits for her unless I'm down there with them.  She now has started peeing beside her litter box in front of the back door.

I have two litter boxes, one of the main floor and one downstairs.  I also put one on the landing by the stairs in case my younger cat is harassing her and she is using that one.  So she has access to two litter boxes whether or not she is allowed in the basement or not.  I am using a corn based litter which they don't particularly like but the clay and heavily scented ones were giving me asthma attacks while I was cleaning them and any litter box on the floor with my room was affecting me at night (yes I'm allergic to cats).

I don't understand her peeing beside the litter box on the main floor though because it's not like she can't make it there or is getting harassed because it's in the same area.

Any thoughts?

[Jade59]

Hey Tammy, I remember looking at your pictures a long time ago.  I remember Boomer in the snow.  The Xmas pic...must be Smokey on the right?  If so, he looks awesome for 19.  

Tammy, I don't have experience with older cats or even litter boxes for that matter, but after reading your post, the one thing that came to my mind is I wonder if Smokey has arthritis or any pain that is preventing him from climbing into the litter box?  Maybe buy a box with lower sides and see if that fixes the problem?  

Could also be, Smokey is really disliking the new litter and is telling you so.  I'm afraid he might not care, you have asthma :(

[Tammy2009]

I did switch litter boxes right at the beginning to one that is lower and wider because she was peeing out the front of the box.

so now the boxes are
-tiny one on the landing which she is using (from when Boomer was 5 months old), maybe 5 inches high
-regular one which out a hood in the basement (however only suprivised use down there)
-and the new, huge cat-it jumbo hooded box,  and yes she has always preferred a hooded box.

Would a cat really use a litter for 8-12 months before suddenly deciding that she doesn't like it?  I switched the litter almost a full year ago (don't remember exactly), Smokey was fine with it, it was Boomer I had to switch slowly because he didn't like it (left me a smelly present as close to the litter box as he could get without getting in it) ...  Even when I had a box of each litter after that, Boomer I had to use treats to bribe him into using the new stuff (which worked amazing), where Smokey used which ever box was closer - new or old litter, didn't seem to notice.

As for the arthitis, yes she has it pretty severe but no limping and can still jump on/off the bed and couch now with her supplement (glucosamine, chronrotin, MSM and hylauronic acid).  I did have to go to metacam for a couple of days though when I missed giving it to her for a week oops.  

[Jade59]

I hope someone else will come along with an idea since I just don't know a lot about litter, but since it's been a year, I doubt the litter is the problem.  I see from your first post, Smokey hasn't been to the vet since May09 so that would be my next suggestion - to get him in for some bloodwork.  Is what I would do.  

I'm glad you added you're seeing improvement with Glucosamine.  Jade was dx'd with arthritis with an xray and was given this supplement.  Happy to see it works and Smokey is able to still jump up on things at her age.  You're a great kitty mom - very aware :)

[opus88]

Tammy I take it she hasn't had a urinalysis done than?....I would highly suspect a UTI....she's telling you it hurts to pee....IMO
please keep us posted.

[Tammy2009]

Update: Smokey has hyperthyroidism .....

we start on medication tomorrow so hopefully everything settles down!

UTI is still a small possibility because it's been a nightmare trying to get a urine sample from her but oh well.