Feline Dementia is Becoming More Common: Watch Out for These Five Signs in Your Cat
Feline dementia certainly seems to be on the rise, with researchers from the University of Edinburgh suggesting that around one in ten cats has developed the condition to some degree. Their studies led them to estimate that around half of all cats over 15 years of age and a quarter aged from 11 to 14 years are suffering from some form of dementia. It was once rare for cats to live to such an age, but indoor lifestyles and better veterinary care are making it possible for cats to live long enough for dementia to become a more prevalent issue.
Unfortunately, there seems to be little that you can do to prevent feline dementia from occurring. However, you can learn the signs to ensure that your cat receives treatment as soon as possible.
1. Disorientation
As your cat develops dementia, they may begin to become confused. This will be evident when they seem less able to navigate around your home, which they should have become incredibly familiar with. You might notice them wandering aimlessly around the house or find that they can't make it to you as quickly when you call for dinner. A less pleasant consequence is defecating or urinating outside of the litterbox, which they may now have trouble locating.
2. Unexplained Aggression
Your cat won't understand what is happening to them, so they may behave aggressively. If they forget for a few seconds who you are, they may not know how to react to your normal petting and interactions. Even if aggression does not occur, your cat may change its attitude towards you, failing to leap into your lap for cuddles or meet you at the door.
3. More Meowing
With the development of feline dementia, many cats start to become more vocal. As they begin to become more disorientated, this increased vocalisation will serve as an attempt to find other cats, or it may simply be a sign of confusion.
4. Untidy Appearance
Cats love taking care of themselves; in fact, yours probably spends a seemingly inordinate amount of time grooming itself to perfection. However, cats who are developing dementia may forget to wash themselves or else only wash one certain part. This can lead to an unkempt appearance.
5. Aversion to Playtime
When your cat's cognitive abilities become impaired, they will find the games and toys they used to enjoy more stressful, preferring to lay around instead. Unfortunately, it can often be difficult to tell whether this increased lethargy is due to dementia or simply down to old age, but it's still a sign worth keeping in mind.
Make sure to consider veterinary consultations if you notice one or multiple of the signs noted above.