Can old cats in good health become senile?

Question

I have an 18 yr old cat in good health, but she seems increasingly confused. (Meowing at walls, sitting in the middle of the road, chasing imaginary things, etc.) The vet said she is healthy.

Answer 1

Senility

Many owners spoke of a number of character changes and unusual behaviour which they have, possibly quite correctly, interpreted as senility. A blank expression, getting lost in familiar surroundings, constant yowling, lack of grooming, continuous pacing, inappropriate toileting, all with no obvious physical cause. There appears to be uncanny similarities between the symptoms shown in the elderly cat and a human dementia patient.

Age-related illness

As discussed before, chronic illness is a factor in old age that can affect behaviour, for example kidney problems will make the cat drink more, deafness will make the cat unresponsive and more vocal. Thirty eight per cent of cats surveyed were suffering from chronic or terminal illness, the most common (according to the comments from the owners themselves rather than from a veterinary source) in descending order were:

Arthritis

Chronic renal failure

Deafness

Blindness

Hyperthyroidism

Bronchitis

Dental problems

Advice to owners

Given the results of this survey it is possible to offer general advice to the owners of elderly cats specifically geared to behavioural considerations, for example:-

• Provide a number of warm, soft and quiet resting places for the cat to spend a significant proportion of its time. If these places are high then care should be taken to offer a number of steps up to assist arthritic joints.

• Continue to stimulate the elderly cat's mental agility with gentle games.

• Groom the elderly cat regularly using soft brushes and combs, particularly around the base of the spine and other areas that are no longer accessible to the cat. Take care to avoid areas where the bones are prominent.

• Consider a new animal addition to the family carefully before going ahead. If an old cat appears distressed or lonely following the death of a companion allow a reasonable period to elapse before considering a replacement. This may be anxiety as a result of the change in routine rather than a genuine loneliness.

• Routine is extremely important particularly at times when family members are away from the home. Friends or professional house-sitters should be employed to care for the elderly cat in its own home to avoid the distress of a change in environment, unless the cat has always been used to frequent cattery visits.

• Consider the provision of indoor litter facilities if there is any suspicion that the elderly cat is being bullied outside or appears reluctant to go out in bad weather.

• For the very elderly, whose world appears to reduce in size the older they get, provide a bed, food, water and litter facilities in reasonable proximity to each other so that they are all easily accessible. (This is probably the only exception to the rule: keep toilet and eating arrangements apart).

• Seek veterinary advice for harsh night-time vocalisation.

There are obviously many other considerations which will depend on the individual cat. Advice of this kind can be given by veterinary practices, catteries, breeders, rescue centres and pet behaviour counsellors.

Answer 2

I have a 22 yr old cat. She isn't exactly in "good health" with failing kidneys and severe arthritis. She does have her "senior moments" as I do.

She is quite active, eats well, drinks lots of water, pees a lot, gets a little constipated and is enjoying her retirement years (I rescued her at age 15 from living totally outdoors.) She sleeps on my bed at night and likes my fluffy bathroom rug for her "naps". She had her teeth cleaned two months ago and goes to have a bath and combout about once a month to six weeks.

I hope she makes it through the winter as she so loves to be out in the warm morning sun and we will have cold, damp weather for the next five or six months.

At www.spiritessence.com Dr. Jean Hovfe has an essence called "Healthy Aging". It's easy just to put the essences on the cat's fur between her ears and treating her with that should help your cat's spirits and keep the juices flowing for many more years.

Answer 3

Good Health is great, but yes, your kitty can get senile. Just be thankful that your cat is in good health. Poor health AND senility would be a big problem for both you and your cat.

Answer 4

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Can old cats in good health become senile?
I have an 18 yr old cat in good health, but she seems increasingly confused. (Meowing at walls, sitting in the middle of the road, chasing imaginary things, etc.) The vet said she is healthy.

Answer 5

Our cat lived to be 21. O' yes she got very senile.

Answer 6

I believe its quite possible.My Mom has several elderly cats who have seem to have undergone personality changes (catonality??) One of them , formerly a very passive, cuddly cat now hisses at all who pass ,and no longer seems to respond properly , although she too is physically very healthy.

Answer 7

Sure the cat can have dementia or any other "older" symptoms. Keep her indoors so she doesn't wander or get hurt by another more agressive cat. Enjoy her in her "golden" age.

Answer 8

Absolutely, mine started meowing constantly, an when you pet her, she would stop! she would also bit our ankles as we walked passed, something she had never done before she also started to sleep on our laps which wasn't like her, and if we moved she would get most upset.

Answer 9

I think so. My cat is 19 - my husband hates cats, but I have known her longer so she stays! :) Anyway, I think they are like us in the winter of our lives.

Answer 10

i believe they can!! the have different personality like people! did the vet check it's eyes. at that age the cat may have cataracts or some thing!!