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Updated on September 23rd, 2025
Pet's info: Cat | American Shorthair | Female | spayed | 15 years and 8 months old | 11 lbs
My 15 year old domestic shorthair cat (female) has been defecating outside the box and sometimes urinates outside the box, even though we clean it often. Her appetite and thirst seem ok, but she wobbles while walking sometimes, seems slower than she used to be, and her coat feels somewhat different. Her stool is soft (not diarrhea) and she vomits sometimes. She also seems to have lost some weight. Any thoughts on what this could be?
2 Answers
Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on December 15th, 2016
Answered By Dr. Elizabeth
Veterinarian
Published on November 29th, 2019
It may not be time to put her down yet but you will need bloodwork and a urinalysis to figure out what is going on. These symptoms could be many things including renal disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes and she may have a bladder infection too. Other things are also possible. I hope this helps and please feel free to post any additional questions.
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