Senior Cat Comfort & Care

Your senior cat is going through changes, and so should your litter box.

Size. As mobility changes, cats need more room to step in, do their business, turn around, and get back out. Your senior may need a larger box. Make your own from a big storage tub. You can cut an opening on both sides so they can enter from one side and exit out the other. No turning needed.

Entry. Ideally, you’re using an uncovered litter box. But the entrance may be too high for easy access. Making your own box means you can make the entry lower and wider. Use a small handsaw and file, or put duct tape over sharp edges.

Litter type and amount. Senior cats can have sensitive paws. A soft litter will make the box more comfortable. Fine-grain litter, made from clay or wood, works well. You might try using less litter. More than a couple of inches can make your senior feel unstable.

For cats with very limited mobility, there are special litter trays with sides of just an inch or two, making entry and exit super simple (though they can get a bit messy).

If your senior is missing the box, perhaps not stepping all the way inside before they “go,” use pee pads at the entry for easy cleanup.