Change in habits

[ANdy Glasgow]

We have given an old cat a home due to her owner passing away- she is fifteen years old and in good health. We have had her now for two years. This is our first cat.Recently she has started to dirty anywhere she wants and her good nature seems to be questionable at times. She turned on me and my son. Her litter tray is cleaned every day along with clean food and water. She has been excellent since her arrival and follows my son arround all the time including sleeping with him. any suggestions as to why.

[annavc]

Firstly well done for giving a needy cat a home. Probably worth taking her to the vet and getting her checked over. Cats will sometimes stop using their litter tray if they are unwell - maybe going to the toilet is causing her pain at the moment. If so she could be associating the litter tray with pain so not using it. Also if she is in pain, lashing out could be a result of it. Any radical change in behaviour could indicate a health problem so please take her to the vet as soon as possible and get her checked over. Hopefully it will be something simple like cystitis that can be sorted out quickly. Good luck.

[WendyS]

Would reiterate what annavc advises, and suggest that as a temporary measure, you also put a couple of extra litter trays at various points around the house.

If she's generally good natured it does rather suggest that she may be in pain and hopefully a vet can diagnose what is the problem. I've noticed though that elderly cats often do seem to experience a feline version of dementia which can change their behaviour and also account for the uncontrolled bowel or bladder problems. Hope your vet can sort her out.

[SaxyJag]

You're not going to like what I'm about to say, and this may not be the case, but she could be going senile.

Between the ages of 16 and 18 (when we finally had her put to sleep) our cat went gradually downhill: temperament up and down, sometimes eating, sometimes just sitting there looking at it and yes, messing in all sorts of inappropriate places (on top of the radio, on the book case etc). After some noticeable weight loss and a period of urinal dribbling we took her to the vet who diagnosed senile dementia. Apparently, senile behaviour such as this is fairly common in elderly cats. Our vet is fairly young and she said she'd seen numerous cases.

If - and I stress, if - this is the case (and I would advise you to get her to the vet in any event) then a) she could well have a good amount of life left in her yet, and b) you should console yourself that you gave a her good, loving home for the last years of her life - not something a lot of people would do.

[undercovers]

sorry but i agree with the above - my little old cat suffered with some form of dementia (acording to the vet) and his behaviour started to go just as you describe at the beginning of his decline, we didn't have him put down but i feel some guilt for that decision now as i think it was more to do with us not being able to let go of the cat than actually about his quality of life - and looking back i do worry that he suffered in the last few months of his life (poor little guy died in my arms it was heart breaking and not a way i would like to see any pet of mine have to die again as it was not painless or quick and i couldn't make it anyless distressing for him then)

[gessoo]

I would like to add that I agree that it is probably Senile Dementia. Another sign is mewing loudly and often for no reason and sounding agitated especially during the night.

[ANdy Glasgow]

Thanks to all who sent a message- Fluffy is at the vet as we type this message. Her Kidneys are very large and she is having blood tests for thyroid problems. Will come back to let you all know how she gets on