All of a sudden my cat Betty seems to have developed Feline Dementia. She just sits on the kitchen counter. I know you're probably mortified at her being on the counter, but I can't get her to go anywhere else. I've given her a nice comfy bed up there. I have to carry her to the kitty litter and when I do she wants to eat the sand. After she does her business she runs like a maniac right back to her spot on the kitchen counter.
She eats every bit of food I put in front of her, so now I'll have to start measuring how much I give her so I don't give her too much or too little. She's seventeen years old so I guess she's earned her special treatment. Puts a cog in the wheel for any kind of traveling we might do. I couldn't leave her unattended for more than a day. Have you ever heard of a cat with dementia? Thanks for reading and for all your comments.
Hello Linda,
ReplyDeleteOh dear, this is all rather distressing.
Seventeen is indeed a very good age but it is worrying when behaviour patterns suddenly become chaotic. Should the vet be involved?
Hi Jane and Lance, thanks, well I am going to change a few things for her to see if she improves; she may just be lonesome and need more cuddling, Hopefully this will improve things. Since she hasn't had any accidents and is still eating and has a good appetite I think I might be wrong about the dementia, if not will take her to the vet.
ReplyDeletePoor Betty. It seems cats do have some strange behaviors as they age. Will she go to the litter box on her own or do you have to carry her a few times a day?
ReplyDeleteIf I talk to Danielle in the next couple of days I will ask her about dementia. Before she became a vet pharma rep, she was a feline specialist for the ASPCA. She might have some insight.
Hi Michele, thanks, she will go to the litter box. I am probably pampering here and encouraging her weird behavior. that would be nice if you could ask Danielle
Deleteand that cat on the counter doesn't shock me... I had a cat that loved to sleep on the kitchen table if I was doing paperwork there!
DeleteHi Linda, I talked to Danielle and she said that cats can have dementia called "feline cognitive dysfunction", like Lori referred to with her dog. She also mentioned that cats will exhibit behavior changes when they are not feeling well. As you said in other comments, it's probably a good idea to see how she does over the weekend and then call the vet if she doesn't improve.
DeleteOh Linda, I know you care a lot about Betty, and all your felines. No answers from me, but I'm agreeing that maybe a vet's advice might help. My 17 year old has some weird things she does, and I am sure arthritis in her hips has changed her a bit, but she still yowls at times for no reason, and will run like crazy at other times. Gotta love them!
ReplyDeleteHi Barb, thanks, well maybe her behavior is normal and I have spoiled her.
DeleteI had a dog that developed Canine Cognitive Disfunction - doggie dementia. I was able to treat it with a slight change of diet including better dog food (although she was already on a good food), filtered water, and medication. Please talk to your vet.
ReplyDeleteHi Lori, thanks well my cats get good food but maybe I better change things around and take her to the vet and see what they say. I just hate spending the money at the vets for a bunch of tests only for them to say there is nothing they can do for old age.
DeleteBest talk to the vet. I had an old cat who began hugging the walls to move around. Turned out to be an inner ear infection.
ReplyDeleteHi Joanne, thanks, well I guess I bite the pocket book bullet next week and see what they say.
DeleteHi Linda,
ReplyDeleteSorry that you are having this trouble with Betty. We have had three cats that reached a old age (late teens to early twenties!), and their behaviour did change, but not rapidly like appears to be the case with Betty. I guess our cats just got to the stage where they wanted lots of food, a place to sleep and really simple routine. I think that you are doing the right thing with giving Betty lots of love and a feeling of security. If Betty starts drinking a lot of water, or just sitting over her water bowl looking abstracted, I would suspect kidney disease. Something like that can certainly make a cat behave oddly, because its system has so much bad stuff circulating in it due to the kidneys not getting rid of things properly (we had all that with Ginger in his last few weeks and we didn't understand what was going on and first thought he was getting dementia).
Hope you are able to get some answers soon.
Kind Thoughts from us all, Pxx
Hi Peter, thanks, today I got Betty in bed and cuddled her all day long and she is now sleeping under the covers, it may be a sort of unintentional neglect she perceives which is causing her to isolate herself, we are going to try lots of love this weekend and see where that takes us. thanks for your kind words and thoughts
DeleteSadly possible. I believe that cats can get almost all of the ailments we do. Good luck. And yes, I would risk that vet trip, just in case it is something which can be fixed.
ReplyDeleteHi Sue, thanks, she was much better today when I kept her with me and she could get under the covers. I shall see how see does over the weekend
DeletePoor old girl...she deserves all the love and care you can give her. I'm with EC and others in perhaps a check-up at the Vet is needed.
ReplyDeleteGive Betty a big cuddle from me. :)
Hi Lee, thanks she doesn't know what to do with herself with all the cuddles she has had today, stay tuned for an update.
DeleteHi Linda, We've had many cats that lived into the 20's... some acted weird at times (walking in circles, staring at the wall, etc.) But as long as they ate and drank well, found their way to the litter box, and enjoyed being petted, we didn't worry. The 2 (21 year olds) we have now show no real signs of dementia... but they do move slowly and sleep a lot. Getting the Vet's opinion is probably a good idea... and they will most likely want to run a few tests... older cats tend to have kidney problems as well as diabetes. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteHi Rian, thanks, 21 years old, yikes, never had a cat that lived that long. Betty is still very spry but she does sleep more than she used to; as a young cat she slept the least of any cat I have ever had, yesterday I cuddled her for a long time and she is doing better today, I think she may have been neglected by us with all our home projects and my pottery in the basement where the cats don't go.
ReplyDelete