Olive's thyroid results and what we tried

Finally got back from the vet with our ragdoll, Olive. She is 7 and has been hypothyroid for a while now, but the recent panel showed her T4 levels were lower than we expected. The vet adjusted her dose slightly and mentioned that sometimes metabolic changes can impact where a cat chooses to eliminate.

We are in a smaller apartment with three cats, so space is tight. We currently have two litter boxes for the three, which I know is less than ideal. Since the last visit, Olive has started going in the living room carpet, specifically near the sofa. I am trying to figure out if this is a medical issue related to the thyroid adjustment or a behavioral one due to the crowding. I documented her medical history and the vet visit in an earlier thread, but I am looking for specific advice on the house soiling aspect now.

Oh, I am so sorry to hear that, Pat. Willow is 11 and grey, and she is slowing down a bit too, which makes me think of my own knees. When she started avoiding the box, it was frustrating, but we found it was often about comfort.

Did you check if the box she usually uses is near the other cats' territory? In a small space, even a few inches can make a difference. I wrote about this a bit in my thread on sudden house soiling in previously clean cats. It might be worth seeing if she is feeling trapped or stressed by the other two. Sometimes a senior cat just needs a quieter spot, even if it is just a different corner of the same room.

Pat, as a vet tech, you know I am always looking for the data here. The thyroid adjustment is interesting. Are you sure the new dose isn't causing any hyperactivity or restlessness that makes her seek out open spaces? I saw a discussion on side effects of thyroid meds in senior cats where a few owners noted their cats becoming more vocal or restless.

Also, two boxes for three cats in a small apartment is a tight squeeze. I know Kelly has a practical setup she described in litter box placement in small apartments. Have you tried moving one box to a completely different room to see if Olive gravitates toward it? If she is choosing the carpet, it might be that the boxes are too close to food or water, or too noisy. I am skeptical that it is purely medical if she is still using the boxes sometimes, but the thyroid is a confounding variable.

I deal with protecting furniture for a living, so I am all about keeping the carpet clean. Rocky is 3 and gray, and he scratches the sofa, so I am very sensitive to any new marks. Sky is 5 and indoor only, so he is good, but he is picky.

In my thread on litter box placement in small apartments, I suggested using high-sided boxes if you have a senior cat who might have trouble getting in. If Olive is hypothyroid, her mobility might be slightly off. Have you tried a box with lower sides? Also, Terri mentioned in reducing stress for indoor cats that adding vertical space, like a cat tree, can help diffuse tension. If the apartment is crowded, maybe Olive is feeling the pressure from the other two cats and the carpet is just 'safe' ground for her.