cat can't hold pee?

[fourcatsmama]

I wasn't sure how else to title this subject. I"m not overly concerned, because maybe it is just bad timing, but twice in the last few months when I clean the litter box, I rinse them out and put them outside to air dry. Not for a super long time, but during this time Presley goes into the closet where I've lined the clean newspaper, and pees on the paper before I can get the box back in the closet and fill it with litter. So I don't know if it is bad timing and he just has to go and has decided he is NOT going to wait, or if he CAN'T wait. He is thirteen, I'd imagine as they get older they can't hold it as long, but in no other way does he do things to show his age. Any thoughts?

 

[ohbell]

Fourcatsmama,
I know as soon as I change the litter or add more to the top, my Sugar Bean goes immediately to the box!! It does not matter when I do this, she just HAS TO GO! LOL
I hope this is all it is....
Gooood luck, maybe you could put a spare there for the time being????

 

[Maggies Mom Debby]

I wouldn't think that having this happen twice in a few months means much, healthwise. He probably just has to go and has picked the closet as his alternate litterbox. The only problem I see is that he may become used to using his alternate and decide to use it more often. Can you put something down in his box's usual spot while it's drying? A backup box?

 

[Karen & Smokey(GA)]

Please get a second box to put in the place of the one
that is drying.

That is where his box facility is supposed to be and it
needs to be there 100% of the time for him.

He has no idea how long he might have to "hold it".
There is no way for you to tell him 'only a minute or two'
Or 30 minutes---I hope not.

I have two boxes down for my cats. And a third one.
When I need to wash a box, I pick it up and immediately
put the clean one down with fresh litter in it.

The 'dirty' box now becomes the spare once it is clean and
dry.

 

[Jess & Earl]

I second what Karen is saying. Also, because cats have constant access to litterboxes, they have very little experience 'holding it.' Dogs who are housetrained (with no doggy door or pee pads) learn to hold it and empty themselves on a schedule; cats never have to learn this.