|  Dr. Danoff received her veterinary degree from the University of Florida in 1999, where she focused her training on exotic animals, including birds, reptiles, small mammals, and aquatic animals. She currently owns a holistic and rehabilitation practice in Vienna, Virginia where she integrates both holistic and traditional medicine into her treatment plans.
Dr. Danoff is a vegan and shares her home with 15 rescued companion animals. These include 2 physically challenged dogs, 4 cats, 5 parrots, 2 snakes and 2 lizards.
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| Jul 30 Written by:kim_danoff
Wednesday, July 30, 2008  Q: I have a 16-year-old, indoor, female spayed cat who has stopped using her litter box, and is using the wall to wall carpeting. I have not changed the brand of litter or anything else for years and her litter box has always been kept immaculate. She has been to the vet, and has a clean bill of health. She is an active, healthy cat. How do=2 0I stop her from going on the carpet and start back in the litter box? A: Urinating outside the litter box is typically an indication that your cat is not feeling well. It could be systemic or possibly something even orthopedic. Conditions like diabetes mellitus, urinary tract infection, hyperthyroidism, etc should be ruled out using blood work and a urinalysis. It is also possible that your cat has arthritis and it may be difficult or painful to get into the litter box. You may want to try cutting out the front of your litter box so she does not have to step as high to get into it. Behavioral issues are always last on my list with inappropriate urinating in cats. If she has not done it her entire life and is doing it now, then something is wrong. Does she have dementia? Perhaps her brain is not functioning quite like it used to so she is forgetting where and how to go. But essentially a thorough medical work-up is needed
Tags: 3 comments so far...
Re: Litter Box Problems
I have a cat who is an 18 year old, spayed female, indoor cat. Like your kitty, mine had always used her litter box. About 6 months ago she started using the carpeting instead. I put another litter box in an area that I thought might be easier for her to get to but she still used the carpeting most of the time. Since this was so unlike her (Alice), I took her to the Vet to have her checked out - even though she seemed fine physically. As it turns out, Alice is in renal failure and it is highly possible that she has a particular kind of brain tumor that is found in older cats. This tumor grows inward toward the brain and, of course, affects some of the capabilities that she used to have. Her kidney failure is causing her to drink more water than usual ( I did notice this symptom before I took her to the vet but didn't give it very much importance). Drinking more water is causing Alice to urinate more frequently. It has definitely become a vicious cycle. I don't want to have her euthanized. I know the day is coming for that. But right now she seems to be comfortable. The vet is having me give her some potassioum each day. This will help with the kidney failure for a little while. Since I've started with the potassium, Alice doesn't seem to be drinking as much water and she is now using the litter box again. I hope your kitty is well, but it might be a good idea for a check-up with the vet. Should she have a physical problem, it might be something that you can help her with. Good luck and I hope everything is okay.
By animaloverrun on
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
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Re: Litter Box Problems
I've had several friends complaining of inappropriate elimination. On two occasions, it turns out the cat had either a urinary infection, or stones.
Wonderful advice to have a complete work-up (senior panel) done!
Good luck with your baby.
By cats14 on
Friday, August 01, 2008
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Re: Litter Box Problems
My indoor cat is 14 now and since we bought the new house she often has her bowel movements in the basement. I have resorted to putting a litter box down there to stop it, but I dont know how effective it is. Usually she goes behind something. If I close the basement door she'll meow in front of it all day and night, and that too is annoying. I'm at end as to what to do. I've spoken to her vet and they say since she's healthy that it may be behavioral. Its very aggravating for me and I feel like my home is 'dirty' now because whenever we do something down in the basement, we find a new pile behind the toolbox, or in the corner, or near the laundry or elsewhere. I dont understand why she is doing this.
By angryatthwrld on
Thursday, September 11, 2008
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