Old, confused cat with thyroid problem

by Erin
(Berea, ohio)

My cat is 18 years old. She started acting odd a few months ago, so I took her to the vet. It turns out she has a thyroid problem. We now have her on medication and she is doing better. However, she isn't fully using her litter box.

I have never had a litter box issue with this cat since I have had her. Now she is using her litter box for peeing and pooping, but she is also peeing on the floor around her litter box.

It's like a foot away from the litter box so it's not like she is trying to use it and failing. I got her different litter and a new box that doesn't have high sides.

I have even got three litter boxes just in case she doesn't want to use just the one. I am keeping the boxes clean. I just don't know what to do. Please help.

My thoughts: I'm sorry to hear your cat is having problems. Since your cat is under a vet's care, I'm assuming she's healthy, other than the thyroid problem.

I've heard of quite a few cats with thyroid problems, specifically hyperthyroidism that pee outside the litter box. Some of these problems resolve after treatment for the thyroid condition, so it may just be a matter of time.

In the meantime, it sounds like you're doing all the right things to try to accommodate her. Adding more boxes, especially a low sided box was a good idea.

It's possible, of course, that my assumption about her health is a mistake. She could have some yet undetected health issue, such as a urinary tract problem of some kind, that is causing this.

Please let us know how it goes with her.
-Kurt