Problem with wandering elderly cat

[Lou_906]

Hello

My 18 year old female cat has taken to sleeping on my next door neighbours' flat roof/skylight. They are not very happy about it, especially as she is using it as a loo (!), but that's where she wants to be. She's content but a bit senile and comes back for food and company, but I need to find a way to discourage her from wandering in that direction. Any suggestions? Many thanks....

[woofgang]

My sis uses get off my garden gel crystals to keep cats off the flat roof of her shed. It works very well but you need to replace them after rain. Could you buy your neighbours a couple of pots? its not very expensive

[Lou_906]

Many thanks - will give it a go! Best wishes Louisa

[CatGirl4]

Could you not encourage her to be an indoor cat now? My 15 yr.old tabby started jumping at all sorts of things about 3 months ago,no reason,even jumps at the corners of cushions,worried about going from one room to another.Just give her plenty of attention when she comes in,i'm sure you're worried about her safety too?Good luck.I don't know if you have heard about plug-in Feliway? it's supposed to calm cats.

[Dris]

Lou -I could have written that myself.
My wee Buddy is only 10 but since last year he has shown behavioural problems.We took him to the vet but she thought that he was showing signs of dementia.He always from a kitten has been a little bit doolally which was endrearing then but is worrying now.
He started this episode with incontinece in the same place in the house.
He has spent 3wks recently sleeping on my neighbours garden seat 24/7.I coaxed him into the house but he started to become really distressed so we let him go back and fed him from there.She has cats so is understanding.
He then decided to sleep in a space in the midst of 3 jampacked conifers and only came out for some food.I thought yesterday he had picked his final resting place and was really teary all morning as I couldnt even pick him up.
he then jumped up and into the kitchen.
I have him hostage there and he is very content.He has used the litter tray and is so cuddly and loving.
So at the end of the day im gonna just kep him in the kitchen -he's happy and so am I -think he was seeking some form of security as he probably doesnt know whats happening either
Its not easy being in love with your cat is it?

[Lou_906]

Thanks for all the answers! Have tried keeping her inside but because she has a twin sister who's more of an indoor girl (good old sisterly love hate relationship!) she is happier in the open space - and as I'm out at work during the day, I don't want to distress her. She doesn't even mind the rain! But come the winter she hibernates. She and her sister have NEVER got the idea of cat litter unfortunately (they came to live with me when they were 4 years old) and when I've tried to train them to use it, they've slept in the litter tray instead! I would be more relaxed about her wandering if the neighbours were slightly less hostile... Thanks for the Feliway tip CatGirl - tried it a few years ago when the other one was distressed - will try again. And Dris I am so glad that Buddy is back with you! It IS hard sometimes loving these gorgeous creatures - but so rewarding...