Senior cats can develop cognitive deficiencies that can be classified as cat dementia. Just like humans, the aging brains of cats may undergo changes that may cause confusion and other dementia symptoms. It’s more difficult to identify dementia in cats than in humans, since humans with dementia often show obvious signs of dementia in their speech.
Cat “speech” is also affected. Senior cat dementia can cause a cat to become excessively vocal. A cat that used to be quiet may make loud mewing sounds and strange vocalizations. The cat may wander the house, making loud vocalizations, and seem generally confused. This type of behavior is most common during the night which can be stressful for the cat’s owners. Cat dementia often causes the cat to become anxious and agitated at night even though the cat may be peaceful during the day. The cat may spend large amounts of time sleeping during the day and be awake throughout most of the night.
A cat with dementia will often stop using the litter box. This behavior can be a symptom of many different medical problems like urinary tract infections. Therefore, a cat owner should have the cat checked by a veterinarian to identify the cause. Cat dementia symptoms include several behavior changes in addition to excessive vocalizations and loss of litter box training.
A lack of grooming is one of the symptoms of cat dementia. Some senior cats will neglect grooming due to pain from arthritis. Overweight senior cats have a more difficult time with grooming. Many senior cats with arthritis or that are overweight still try to groom themselves, but cats with dementia seem to lack concern for their grooming. The cat may also seem more irritable than usual. This irritability could be a sign that the cat is in pain. The veterinarian should be consulted when a cat’s behavior changes.
Senior cats with dementia may forget to eat. If a cat is not eating regularly, this is a concern since the cat may develop malnutrition or lose a significant amount of weight and the cause may not been known at first. Many different disorders can cause a cat to stop eating such as dental problems.
More Cat Related Articles
Fatty Liver Disease In Cats
Hepatitis lipidosis, known as fatty liver disease, occurs when a cat loses weight too quickly or suddenly stops eating.
Cat Furniture For Senior Cats
Senior cats with arthritis may have difficulty moving normally.
December 11th, 2009 at 8:40 pm
My 12 year old female calico has been exhibiting loud vocal meowing, running around the house with tail all puffed out and in general showing some strange behavior.
Eating and drinking well but her new litter box is in my garden beds. I’ve been keeping a close eye on her. So far nothing too alarming to consult a vet.
January 6th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
My 16 year old cat has been sceaming when drinking yet only the water bowl that is in the bathroom(used to be a kids toy box)and in the middle of the night only still using her kitty box yet wont cover her business she has been on a senstivity diet. She is driving the household crazy.
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:43 pm
My cat sits at the end of the hallway in the livingroom and bellows down the hall to our bedroom. Its like he is saying “Hey! where did you go?!”
The vocalizations and grooming are the behaviors my cat has. He goes to the little box without an issue, so I will keep an eye out.
Do you cats want to eat everything you are eating? It seems that the older my cat gets, the more people food he wants. And he is sneaky…
My cat is 14 years 4 months old. He has always been vocal, but it’s just gotten kind of weird. The bellowing is annoying and I am sure my neighbors below us can hear him.
March 5th, 2010 at 3:55 pm
My cat is “thinking outside the box” and also has total disregard for grooming himself. We had no idea what was going on until I found this website. Now we can be patient with him instead of angry!
May 4th, 2010 at 6:23 pm
All of the symptoms mentioned here in the responses sound like they should be addressed at a vet visit. Any change in behavior (new vocalizing, litterbox habits, eating/drinking habits, etc) are indicative of a potential health problem that may be treatable (hyperthyroidism, hypertension) easily. Don’t wait too long to see the vet, as once things start going downhill, it can be hard to stop the ball from rolling. Senior kitties can lead a happy and healthy life if they are taken care of properly, and yes, sometimes medications are needed but can be inexpensive and easy to give.
June 21st, 2010 at 2:58 pm
my cat is about 15 years old and is not only not using the litter box, but is making strange noises and going into cubboards(never did that before) Also strancge behavior like being resl loving one time next minute will scratch. He doesn!t seem to like to go out on the Lanai and scratches my sis when she tries to put him out there,also he uses the table or the floor of the lanai for his potty. Could he have demitia? I also heard that cat!s will also display strange behavior if they ae dying, is this also true? correct?
November 4th, 2010 at 9:06 am
my cat is 15 and is driving the whole family nuts!! she meows to go out as soon as she is meows to get back in!! she meows all day and night!!she drags her food out of her bowl and leaves all over the kitchen she doesnt eat most of it….we caught her coming from behind the gas fire!! and she has started to mess in the house….