Need advise: Is it a behavior or health problem?

tedrudy

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I'm new to the forum, but have a question to pose to fellow Cat Moms and Dads.
We have a 13 year old male cat who is as close to us as a child. We adopted him from an animal shelter when he was 2 years old, but we have been through thick or thin with him since then, mostly lots of years of love and a few trials and tribulations.
The last week he's had an elimination problem (4 times) and hasn't used his litter box, but has had normal looking stools. He's left these on a disposable floor mat, and on a conspicuous part of the basement floor. So he's trying to tell us something. We think it's a behavior problem as he seems perfectly healthy otherwise. But could this indicate a medical problem?
He was at the Vet's in August for teeth cleaning and a bit of oral surgery. Since then he's been eating up a storm again.
What's up with our boy? Has anyone else experienced this? Don't want to rush him back to the Vet until I've ruled out other things and want to watch him for other signs.

Thanks in advance for any info.
 

hissy

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Your kitty needs to have a vet check. They usually do not have accidents like this unless there is something going on. Please take your kitty to the vet to rule that out before tackling it as a behavior issue.

I will move this thread to our Health Forum for you.........Welcome to the board!
 

ddestes

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Yes definitely take him to your vet, he could maybe be having kidney problems or something else and it's best to rule out any possible health issues right away before they progress any further. Then if nothing turns up you can rest assured he's ok and go from there.

Good luck to you!
 

angelzoo

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Most cats can get away with only seeing the vet once a year. Since your cat is a senior he should go more than once.

Even if you feel that this is a behavorial problem, you should still take him to the vet, they can possibly help you with that aspect as well.
In the mean time, give you kitty love, don't switch foods, try to keep a stress free enviroment for him, until you figure out what's going on.

A lot of cats also just have accidents like this as they get older as well. But please bring him to a vet.
 
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tedrudy

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I would like to thank everyone for your kind and very helpful responses. Ted is on his way to the Vet on Monday. He's feeling much better, but I'm playing it safe.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving!

Ted says MEOW-Thanks!
xo
 

immortalflower

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Great to be safe by going to the vet. Thought I would just add some similar experiences with an old cat I used to have.

My cat was old but very easily mobile (mobility can also be a reason for not climbing into a litter box). My cat would get upset with my mother and poop beside his litter box or in the general area to make her mad. If she had been in a bad mood or had been yelling he'd do his business some else. My mother had been convinced it was because the litter box wasn't up to his likings. But when I moved away from my mother the problem never happened again. So, that is some of my cat experiences.
 
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