Litter-tray

[Quizmonster]

Raffles, our 'old gentleman' cat, has now - at the age of 22 - seemingly become a bit Alzheimerish. He has decided that odd nooks and crannies inside are perfectly acceptable toilets, despite having been a garden cat all his long life.
Has anyone any tips on how to accustom such an old chap to using a litter tray? As an old chap myself, I'm not at all sure I could get used to 'performing' in the garden!

[leelapops]

Aww, Quizmonster, he must be feeling a bit bemused!

I don't have a cat. When he "goes" in the house, is it in the same couple of spots? If so, would it be possible to get a couple of litter trays for these spots, then reduce it down to one in a more suitable part of the house? It can't be pleasant for either of you at the moment!

Give Raffles a scratch behind the ears from me :)

Lisa x

[Clanad]

That's amazing Q... (the cat's age, not your 'performing' in the garden possibility). Our cat died about 3 months ago at the age of 14 and the vet allowed as how she was quite advanced in age, cat-wise.
I concur with leelapops suggestion. Our cat (actually, Mrs. C's feline) Tia would use her regular litter box quite well for weeks on end and then decide she liked the deep-pile throw rug in our bedroom... much to my consternation when stepping in the wet spot before day-break. At any rate, we placed two litter boxes in the usual place... the cat appeared to have an aversion to using the one litter box more than two or three times. She also would use another throw rug at one of the entrance doors to the house at which position we placed yet another litter tray. This seemed to solve the problem, with an occasional excursion on her part requiring a movable litter box on our part. (Actually, I, being the non-cat fancier, suggested a more direct approach, that being a well placed cowboy boot tip rocket launch out the open door, which was nixed by the lady of the house in the equivalent of a well played hemidemisemiquaver)... Ah, well the white, long haired Persian of surprisingly corybantic persuasion has gone to a far better place (according to Mrs. C at least)... Best of luck with the elderly gent!

[leelapops]

Clanad, I would love to know which dictionary you swallowed ;)

Hehe.

Lisa x

[SteveD]

Well, I had to look it up!:

http://www.answers.com/topic/corybantic

[Quizmonster]

Thanks for your responses, folks. We'll definitely give the two mobile trays idea a go. And don't think I haven't considered the boot-tip approach, C! In fact, with a young animal, I would probably not have contemplated any other. However, I believe he's earned a little more respect.
I gave him his ear-scratches, Lisa. I even said to him, "These are from Lisa, Raffles" whilst doing so. (How batty is that?)
Cheers

[heathfield]

Alas! In their dotage, human beings and cats have much in common !

[leelapops]

I think all pet owners are mad Q :) And I am glad you let him know personally, I'd've been upset if he thought they were just regular everyday ear scratches!
Lisa x