Feline dementia
Can cats get Alzheimer’s and dementia? As cats are living longer, they get diseases that are commonly associated with aging. If your senior cat seems to be a bit forgetful at times, meows loudly or seems anxious for seemingly no reason, or appears to get lost in the house, he may be showing signs of the feline version of dementia or Alzheimer’s.
In 2006, scientists at the University of Edinburgh identified a protein that can build up in cats’ brain nerve cells and cause mental deterioration. “We’ve known for a long time that cats develop dementia, but this study tells us that the cat’s neural system is being compromised in a similar fashion to that we see in human Alzheimer’s sufferers,” says Danielle Gunn-Moore, one of the researchers participating in the study. ”Recent studies suggest that 28 percent of pet cats aged 11-14 years develop at least one old-age related behavior problem, and this increases to more than 50 percent for cats over the age of 15,” adds Gunn-Moore. For more on the study, please read Cats Can Get Alzheimer’s on the Washington Post website.
Symptoms
The following symptoms can be indicators for feline dementia:
- loud vocalization
- eliminating outside the litter box
- increased anxiety or agitation, especially at night
- lack of interest in grooming
- appearing to be lost in familiar surroundings
- decreased appetite
- increased sleeping time
- disorientation
Since any of these symptoms can also be indicators of a serious illness, an exam by your cat’s veterinarian will the first step in helping you determine whether your cat has dementia.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis will involve a thorough veterinary exam, including a full blood panel and urinalysis. If the exam reveals any underlying medical issues, they will need to be addressed.
Treatment options
Once medical issues have been ruled out or addressed, the following treatment options can help your cat with dementia:
- A species-appropriate, grain-free diet
- Anti-oxidant supplements may improve cognitive function and slow down mental decline.
- Omega-3 DHA supplements may protect the brain through neuro-protection and anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress properties.
- A stimulating environment that challenges your cat to think and play. Even though your senior cat may not want to pounce and chase after toys, daily play sessions will engage her brain. Even just batting at a toy will keep her brain active and at the same time, increase the bond between the two of you.
Are you worried that your senior cat is showing signs of dementia? If you have a senior cat, what have you done to make her life easier?
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Great post! I was actually just looking this up today. My oldest is 13 but (knock on wood) I don’t think he has any of the signs.
I’m glad it was such good timing for you, Julia – and even happier that your oldest is not showing any signs of dementia.
Liquid Vitamin B-12 shots really help with this. My cat began to show signs of dementia at the very end of his life. He was already on all of the other recommended supplements and diet, but when we introduced the B-12 we saw a marked and almost miraculous improvement. It also aids greatly in intestinal health in older cats. They are given subcutaneously, so it’s easy to do at home without hurting your cat, and after an initial build-up, you only need one shot per month. Plus, it’s very inexpensive.
That’s interesting about the B12 injectins. I had heard of a connection between B12 and dementia in humans, but had not heard of anyone using this for cats for this indication. Thank you for sharing your experience!
Peaches (knock on wood) isn’t showing any of these signs either…..well, there WAS that time she peed on my favorite work shoes….but she was mad at me for letting Monkey move in. lol Peaches is my smartest cat, undisputably among the most intelligent cats I’ve ever lived with. But she IS getting up there, so I saw this link and felt I should check. Great subject, thanks a lot for posting on it.
I’m glad Peaches is not showing any signs, Lynn.
As always, I traded notes and symptoms between my cats and my mother as I watched them all grow older. Most of my geriatric cats stayed as sharp as nails even up to the last days, only a few showed any signs of dementia in the last few months, and I think part of what I saw had to do with failing hearing and eyesight and related disorientation. But the environmental stimulation is so very important–my mother benefited from activities and constant conversation in personal care, and my older cats have always had me and other cats around to keep them moving with a lot of touching and routine.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Bernadette.
Awesome post Ingrid about a topic which isn’t often brought up but should be.
Thanks, Moki!
Our Kira at almost 16 does have some signs of dementia, notably yowling for no apparent reason. She’ll stand in the hall and just meow loudly a few times. When I go to her she’ll follow me back to my office, but often will go back and yowl again! We’re also pretty sure her sight is dimming and that she has some arthritis. We make sure she can get to her favorite sleeping places and also up on the bed to sleep with us at night, plus we’ve placed phone books under her food and water dishes so she doesn’t have to lean down as far. She plays less and for less time, but seems to enjoy it when she does. So she’s old but still perking along, and we’re happy to have her still come to greet us when we’ve been out even if it was only for a trip to the grocery store!
My 17 and a half year old cat has started exhibiting symptoms of dementia. Yowling, loss of appetite, lethargy, chronic constipation, increased anxiety at night, and increased sleeping time. All of the symptoms except for yowling and constipation have come on suddenly. She has had a vet checkup with a complete blood count. Everything came back normal. I have done some research online and found a natural supplement called Cholodin-Fel. It is supposed to help if not reverse the symptoms of this sad condition. It has received good reviews. I am anxious to get this and start trying it on her. I will post follow up results.
There are some studies on the human side that show that choline may help prevent Alzheimer’s and dementia, so it could potentially help cats as well. I’ll look forward to hearing how it’s working for your cat, Tami.
My cat tessa has dementia the vet prescribed Amitriyline and for a miinth it seemed to help but now the refuses to eat, and I’m afraid I’ll have to euthanize her it breaks my heart. I am so worried I can’t eat or sleep well. I promised her I wouldn’t force fees her. I but I can’t let go even as I write this I’m abouts to break down. But she has made the decision I think Shea tired of the drama. She lives to be wrapped up in her orange blanket and sleep on MT shoulder or chest.I wish I could do more.
I’m so sorry about Tessa, Barbara. It’s such an awful decision to have to make. Maybe this article will help you: http://consciouscat.net/2011/08/22/euthanasia-the-loneliest-decision/
My 14 year old cat, Simon, was diagnosed with feline dementia 2 weeks ago. But he has been showing symptoms for about 2 months. The night yeowling is the most distressing. It is disrupting sleep for my entire family. The vet prescribed Valium, but it is not very effective. I find myself contemplating euthanasia every night. I just don’t know how much longer I can put my family through this. I am heart-broken and guilt-wracked.
I’m so sorry about Simon, Loretha. I know it’s distressing. There may be other drug options if the Valium isn’t working – talk to your vet.
I too have a cat who’s clearly on the decline neurologically. I know how frustrating it is to be awoken at night with the yowling…unfortunately in my case my cat is so attached to me that he does not leave my side all night and decides to paw and meow in my face while I am sleeping about every 2-3 hours all throughout the night. My kitty is 15 years old and is also diabetic, which has also taken a toll on him in the last few years. If your kitty is otherwise healthy I would talk to your vet about possibly starting on amino acid or other supplements in kitties diet to help slow the progression, additionally there are pheromone plug ins that you can also buy according to my vet that can help lessen kitties anxiety. I know it’s rough trust me, hope this helps.