Litterbox problems in an elderly cat

My mother-in-law died about 6 months ago. Her kitty cat is about 14 years old (give or take a few) and has developed increasingly frustrating litterbox issues. The cat both urinates and defecates outside the litter box.

My father-in-law started to get very frustrated with the problem, so we ended up taking the kitty and trying to work with him. Before giving him to us, my FIL took him to a vet and got him some medicine, but that didn't help. (I'm not sure if the medicine was for a UTI or if it was some other problem)

The kitty has dry hard stools, so obviously constipation is an issue. The cat is also overweight, though I've noticed that he's dropped some weight and slimmed down some since we brought him to our house and put him on a more controlled feeding regimen with set meal times and also put him outside where he exercises more, instead of sitting in the corner all day.

We've switched the kitty to a grain free wet food diet. I've tried mixing in prune juice with his food and also previously tried mixing ground flaxseed with his wet food. We've given him CatLax as well.

I asked the vet about constipation and his reply was basically to change the diet and give laxatives.

We also try to give him love and attention, although that is challenging because he is a very anti social cat and hides most of the time. He won't usually come with he's called, so finding him is basically a game of hide and go seek.

His litterbox issues have remained unchanged, so for the time being he's living outdoors. We live out in the woods, far from the main road, and have a lot of property available to us. (our landlord owns a whole bunch of acreage)

I suppose that I could eventually get him a heated cat shelter if he has to stay outside permanently, but it frustrates me that what I've done so far, hasn't addressed the issues that he has. I love cats and would prefer to be able to have him indoors part of the time like my other kitty. (our other cat is an indoor/outdoor cat and was a stray kitty that adopted us)

Any suggestions that I haven't considered?

Canned pumpkin is a better fiber source for cats than prunes or flaxseed; have you tried that? Just a very small amount, like a half teaspoon per day mixed with his food. Probiotics may help as well.

Has he been checked by your vet for a possible UTI? It sounds like you don't really know what the previous vet did, so a new checkup is probably a good idea. If your vet rules out a physical cause, maybe Feliway or a similar calming product would help with the urination problems.

Or maybe he doesn't like his box, it's location, or the type of litter. 

He might associate the litterbox with pain from the constipation; maybe a new & different box and new type of litter would get him using it again. Some people have success with Cat Attract litter for cats like this.

Also, if he's outside, how do you know he still won't use a litterbox?

Thanks for the suggestions. We've put him outside during the day and have tended to try to bring him in during the night and so far it seems that the times he's in the house, he's still having litterbox problems. 

I will definitely try the canned pumpkin! 

It probably is time to find a vet who will give him a more thorough check up. 

Could he have arthritis? Some members have found that their elderly cats can't manage a regular litter box, but do fine with a relatively flat serving tray, cookie sheet, or the like.

Thanks for the input.

I've decided to confine him to one (non-carpeted) room of the house for awhile and closely watch his elimination habits. Then once I've determined what's going on, we can make up a long term plan.

I took him to the vet for a check up. The vet examined him and found  no physical causes of the litterbox problems. Based on that and our description of the cat's behavior, he prescribed an anti-anxiety medication for the kitty. I'm really hoping that that helps!

Oh, I also wanted to mention that I've confirmed that the kitty's constipation has resolved! *happydance* 

I'm pretty thrilled that my home remedies helped with that. I tried the pumpkin suggestion and continued to give him the grain free wet cat food. Here's hoping that the litterbox issues will be solved soon!

That's excellent..

Thanks for the update, and for the litterbox issue.

I'm really hoping that the anxiety meds help! I can't wait until they come in and I can try them. The vet had to order them for me.

The first dose of meds was given yesterday. He used the litterbox today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

He is now fully using his litterbox again. 

That is so good, for you and for him..