Many cats knead cushions, blankets and even nearby humans at bedtime. (Getty Images)
DEAR JOAN: We have a 15-year-old calico pinto cat who, for a few years, just stayed in our bedroom, probably not wanting to go down the stairs.
We would occasionally take her outside, and one day, she remembered that it was nice to be outside, so she began to stay downstairs on the couch. We moved her litter box downstairs, and she used it until she got used to going outside.
Lately, she has gone outside the box, mostly No. 2. We have taken the lid off her box, but this hasn’t changed things much. I know she is old, but am a little surprised.
I know there is no simple answer, but thought I would ask anyway.
— Doug Abbott, Union City
DEAR DOUG: Your first step, if you haven’t already taken it, is a visit to your friendly vet for a checkup. The most common reason for cats missing the litter box is a health problem. Cats are linear thinkers, and if they have pain while defecating, they reason that the litter box is the cause of the discomfort, so they’ll try going somewhere else.
That might be the issue here, but I suspect that it’s just old age. She might be exhibiting kitty dementia, which could make her fearful or uncomfortable of straying far from the places she feels the most safe and content.
Start with the checkup and explain her behavior to the vet. There might be medications that will help, whatever the problem might be, but as she’s getting up there in years, you might just need to clean up after her and focus on all the joy she otherwise brings you.
DEAR JOAN: Not only do the numerous squirrels in our area eat all our garden produce before we get a chance to pick it, they also are destroying our home. They gnaw on our metal outdoor furniture and on several wooden outdoor structures. I understand they are just trying to sharpen their teeth, but I have little compassion, especially now that they are destroying our new fence, and even the corners of our house!
What can we do to stop them?
— Laura Caplan, Menlo Park
DEAR LAURA: You need to mount a two-prong attack. First, make anything gnawable taste bad by slathering it with a commercial capsaicin product or bitter apple. Next, provide them with an alternative. You can purchase animal salt blocks, set out piles of kindling, or place deer antlers in your yard for them to gnaw on all day long, leaving your property alone.
Krane Pond update
Save Mount Diablo is at 99% percent of its $500,000 goal to purchase and preserve Krane Pond, an important water source for wildlife in the region. Readers of this column have donated $59,746, bringing the total raised to $494,552. The nonprofit has exercised its option to buy the pond, and needs just $5,448 to reach its goal by Christmas. They are so close.
Thank you so much for your generosity. Send donations to Save Mount Diablo, 201 N. Civic Drive, Suite 190, Walnut Creek,CA 94596, or https://savemountdiablo.org/donate. Be sure to mention that your donation is for Krane Pond.
Animal Life runs on Mondays. Reach Joan Morris at AskJoanMorris@gmail.com.
Originally published at Joan Morris, Correspondent