Cat Dementia: Signs, Causes and Management

Is it feline dementia or another condition?

There are a variety of senior diseases with signs similar to those of feline dementia. Since they tend to occur during the same stage of life, a thorough evaluation by a veterinarian is warranted to ensure that your cat receives the proper treatment and care. It’s always better to catch things early!

Hyperthyroidism

An overactive thyroid gland that produces too much thyroid hormone is a common disorder diagnosed in older cats. An excess of thyroid hormone can interfere with organ function and may even damage the brain, explains International Cat Care. One sign is increased appetite, so you may notice your cat begging for food incessantly. It can also lead to hyperactivity and increased vocalisation, which could be confused with dementia. Your veterinarian will want to perform a blood test to check out your cat's thyroid function.

Hypertension

Cats can get high blood pressure, too. According to Cats Protection, it usually happens as a result of another health condition like kidney disease or hyperthyroidism. High blood pressure can lead to blindness and result in anxiety and confusion. Your veterinarian can take a blood pressure reading to help rule this out.

Deafness and sensory decline

Deaf cats don't know their own meow volume. This can factor into your cat's behaviour, much like it does with older people who tend to become more disoriented when auditory cues in the environment become less perceptible to them. In much the same way, blindness will also contribute to an older cat's confusion.

Osteoarthritis or other causes of chronic pain

It's really hard to identify pain in cats since most cats don't express pain or discomfort in the same way humans and dogs do. Most choose to hide their discomfort as a survival mechanism. However, older cats who suffer from painful conditions like osteoarthritis may be more hesitant to step into the litter box due to discomfort and may have accidents outside the litterbox. They may also be less active and unwilling to play.

Brain tumours or other neurological conditions

Brain tumours are a possibility for older cats who show signs of dementia. Tumours can lead to seizures and collapse, but all kinds of abnormal behaviour such as incoordination or reacting to 'invisible' objects are suspect, too. Many other neurological diseases can also lead to signs similar to those seen in cats with dementia.

How to support a cat with dementia

Any senior cat with signs of dementia should ideally be tested for all the diseases that can mimic or accompany it. If your cat is suffering from feline dementia or confusion, here's what you can do to keep them safe and comfortable:

• Keep them indoors if this won’t cause them stress and be aware of roaming. If they do want to go outside it may be best to try to cat-proof your garden. This way, they can still have the freedom to explore and get the benefits of going outside, without the worry of them getting lost.

• Maintain a regular feeding and home lighting schedule to help keep them oriented.

• Avoid major household changes (such as adopting a new pet or moving). Try to keep furniture in the same place.

• Give them food with vitamin E and antioxidants, both important nutrients for brain health. Your vet will be able to recommend which one.

• Using puzzle-feeders can help to stimulate the brain and may help slow the decline.

• You can try plug-in pheromones. They can help reduce anxiety in older cats that are suddenly a little unsure of their surroundings.

• Make litter boxes extra-accessible with a ramp or a shallow tray. Use comfortable litter.

• Offer simple senior cat niceties like extra beds and accessible warm spots.

• See your vet for regular care.

It's critical for any cat who shows any signs of dementia to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. It's important for pet parents to know that their cats may not be "just getting old" — they may be experiencing a true disease that requires a little extra care. Because it's not as easy to determine if your cat is confused as it is in humans, understanding your cat's normal behaviour is an essential first step in diagnosing and managing cat dementia.