Yet another litterbox post…Senior bun litterbox q

[lilys.eyes]

Hi everyone!

I’m sure you’ve all read these posts before. I did a search of the forums, and read all the saved FAQ and recommended posts about litterbox training and habits. I haven’t really come across any information that pertains to my question, so I hope you’ll all forgive me for posting yet another litterbox query!

My Bella is an un-neutered senior bun who is blind. He is in the same pen he’s always been, with the same litterbox (high on 3 sides but low on the front), in the same spot. No change of litter. No change of diet. 

He’s always been a pooper all over his pen, but always peed in his litterbox with the exception of maybe 1 or 2 pees in his pen to mark it. Nowadays he’s peeing all over his pen – in his litterbox (sometimes), but also on his bed and elsewhere. He doesn’t have a ‘consistent’ spot that he pees in, so moving the litterbox doesn’t really work. 

Other than taking him to the vet, does anybody have any ideas or suggestions I could try? I love my old guy so much, but I’m gettin’ a bit tired of my bedroom smelling like bunny pee!

[Azerane]

I feel like there’s a few possibilities with an older bun. The first is urinary tract infection which often leads to missing the box. The second is it could simply be some incontinence of old age (how old is he?). Another option is that he is becoming too painful to get into his box (even if it is low), he may have arthritis or something which is deterring him from using the box so he’s avoiding using it. So painkillers are an option in that case.

In terms of trying to fix it before trying the vet, I’m not really sure. A box with an even lower edge (if possible) but if he’s blind he may not ever know to try it out. You could put down puppy pee pads to help absorb the pee messes, but not if he’s a chewer of things like that.

[lilys.eyes]

Thanks for your suggestions! Puppy pee pads – hadn’t even thought of that. He might actually chew them, but it’s worth trying!

If he had a UTI – wouldn’t he be drinking more water? His water and food intake is the same. 

He’s 10 years old. Incontinence is definitely a possibility, but he never pees when he’s outside of his pen, so I guess I had dismissed that?

[Author]

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