Cat dementia - like human dementia - is no fun for cats or their parents. So if you've got a grand-cat at home and they haven't been themselves lately, here's how you can spot the signs of congitive decline - and how you can best support them.
If you’re like other cat parents around the world, you might agree that cats can be grade-A weirdos at times. But if you’ve got a senior cat at home that’s begun behaving strangely…at least some of the causes could be sickness, pain, or even cognitive decline. Aka, cat dementia.
Just like elderly folks are susceptible to Alzheimer’s disease, so too are our feline friends. Meaning, if you’re noticing your buddy making funny sounds, seeming confused or disoriented, staring into space, or even forgetting to use the litter box – it might signal cognitive decline.
Senior cats with dementia are also likely to wander away from home, too far from safety. Where, if they get disoriented, they might not be able to find their way back to you.
Yes, just like us humans might experience physical or mental health changes as we get older, so do our feline friends. Cat dementia, also known as feline cognitive dysfunction or more broadly, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), impacts over 50% of cats over the age of 15 years1.
Today, cats live longer than ever, and may have a lifespan of 20-21 years. Most of them are considered “seniors” by the time they reach 7-11 years of age.
So if you have a senior cat, it is likely that they will experience some signs of dementia.
However, it’s important to diagnose cat dementia correctly, as the symptoms could actually be masking another illness in your cat.
What is cat dementia?
Cat dementia, also known as feline cognitive dysfunction, is a brain disorder typically associated with old age in cats. It occurs when deterioration of the brain tissue, caused by aging and other factors, causes changes in the cat’s behavior, memory, and awareness.
What causes dementia in cats?
Cognitive dysfunction in cats occurs as a result of age-related decline, especially with a buildup of a protein called beta amyloid.
As beta amyloid accumulates, it can cause damage to your cat’s brain.
With time, it leads to a slow down of blood flow to their brains – which causes their neurons to die.
When your cat’s neurons start to break down, it affects their thoughts and behavior – especially their memory.
Since your cat’s sleep cycles are controlled by their brain, cat dementia can affect them – leading your cat to be awake at times outside of their usual sleeping hours. (Like at night.)
Any cat can develop dementia – no matter if they’re male or female, indoor or outdoor, and of every breed.
What are some signs of cat dementia?
Since cat dementia affects memory, thought, and sleep cycles, your buddy might:
Sleep more than usual – and at different times than usual
Vocalize more frequently, especially at night
Stare off into space – often at walls or corners
Groom themselves less
No longer be interested in playtime
Cat dementia might also lead to behavioral changes – your buddy might end up clingier or needier than usual, for example. On the other hand, some cats with CDS might grow more aloof or even reactive as a result, seeming more irritable or even aggressive.2
⚠️ One of the most disturbing symptoms of dementia in cats? Their tendency to wander away from home – into unfamiliar territory.
Every cat has a distinct territory, where they patrol, hunt, hide, and spend most of their time. It could range from your backyard to your neighbors’ – to a few blocks down the street.
Plus, wandering into another cat’s territory can open up your buddy’s risk for at least a few cuts and scrapes – especially if they’re male.
Now you could monitor your cat’s wanderings 24/7 – just hover over them continuously. (Which, well, isn’t sustainable over time with work, chores, and more.)
💡Or you could join a growing family of cat parents around the world – just like you – who are strapping GPS trackers to their buddies’ collars.
So with just a glance at your phone, you can:
Track your cat in real-time, over an unlimited range
Map out your cat’s territory – and set up a “safe zone” around it, which sends you an escape alert if your cat ventures past
Warn other pet parents about any “danger zones” in your area – aka, spots that might be hazardous for pets to explore or venture in.
Here’s how to share a danger report via your Tractive mobile app – like if you’ve run into a spot with plants poisonous to cats, dangerous wildlife, poison bait, or even animal traps. (Aka, anything you’d rather not have your wandering senior cat run into.)
Your danger report also gets shared with other pet parents in your area. So you can both keep your cat safe – while also doing your part as a responsible pet parent.
For most cats that develop feline dementia, signs and symptoms often start to show between the ages of 10 to 15 years3.
The disease is likely to progress faster as the cat gets older, and is very common in cats over 15 years.
What to do if you notice any of these signs in your cat
The brain damage and cognitive dysfunction known as cat dementia causes changes in your cat’s behavior, memory and awareness levels. So if you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s a good idea to jot them down – so you can discuss them with your vet.
“Pay attention to any patterns tied to your cat’s abnormal behavior.
It may be helpful to video these episodes to share with your vet.”
Besides GPS tracking, your trusty Tractive device also comes with a built-in motion detector. Picking up on your cat’s movements throughout the day – including when they’re asleep.
Which, with time, can help you figure out:
What’s a normal level of sleep for your cat
How much quality sleep they’ve been getting – including how many times they woke up
And most importantly:
If there’s an abnormal change in your cat’s sleep patterns – much in advance
All of which can help you have a more productive conversation with your vet.
No need to rely on memory or risk missing out some important details. Just actionable data to help you get your buddy the help they need, when they need it the most.
Diagnosing cat dementia can be tricky. After all, its symptoms do overlap with a whole range of other illnesses cats are vulnerable to. Including:
Hyperthyroidism, which can cause your cat to grow more active, irritable, and vocalize at night
Hypertension, or high blood pressure (which has similar symptoms as above)
Sensory decline, such as deafness or blindness – while their cognitive senses might still be intact
Arthritis, or chronic pain – which might make your cat grow less active over time or struggle to groom themselves more
Brain tumors, or other neurological issues
Kidney disease, which can cause your cat to pee outside their litter box
Your vet might begin with a physical exam to rule out any other causes for a decline in your cat’s health. They might also administer:
A blood test
Urinalysis (to rule out for kidney disease and UTIs)
Imaging techniques, including X-rays
Pain medication, in case arthritis is a contributing factor
Is there a cure for cat dementia?
Unfortunately, since the brain tissue degeneration which is associated with feline cognitive dysfunction (cat dementia) is irreversible, there is currently no cure for cat dementia3. So once the brain tissue is damaged, it is not possible to repair it given current medicine and technology.
“Even though there is no cure for dementia in cats, it’s important to get a diagnosis to help keep your cat comfortable and care for them the best that you can.”
Besides, even if you do notice these signs, there’s still hope. You can still build your grand-cat a loving, safe, enriching home environment that adapts to their dementia – and helps them live a longer, happier, set of golden years by your side.
How to care for a cat with dementia
Now while you can’t 100% prevent cat dementia, there’s a lot you can do to delay its onset. But even if your cat is already showing these signs, here are some steps you can take to adapt to their needs.
Double down on your cat’s routine
A predictable routine can help your aging cat feel more secure and less confused or disoriented. Which might look like:
Regular feeding and playtime – or at least a ton of quality time with you. A diet high in Vitamin E and antioxidants can help keep them healthy.
Help your cat remember meal times by placing food and water bowls around your home.
Avoid making big changes in their environment, like moving furniture or renovations. (If you do need to move houses or make these kinds of changes, consider dropping your cat over at a friend’s or a loved one’s – ideally, someone your cat is familiar with.)
Try and avoid bringing any new cats or other animals home.
Help your grand-cat get around physically
Cat dementia can mean your grand-cat isn’t the active kitten they once were. They might eat less, rest more, and generally have a hard time getting around like they used to. (Like that favorite spot on the windowsill.)
So you could help them get around by:
Installing ramps or steps for them to reach their favorite spots.
Vertical posts and perches can help them get a little vantage point from where they can survey their surroundings – while feeling safe.
Help your grand-cat stay mentally active
In many cases, skipping out on your cat’s training and playtime can actually speed up both physical AND cognitive decline. So keep your buddy busy with:
Interactive toys, like food puzzles or treat balls that make your cat have to “work” for their food – keeping them mentally active.
Regular training, which – yes – cats are also 100% capable of, just like dogs! Try a fun, practical training method like clicker training, which is built on positive reinforcement.
Simple games around your house, like hide and seek or the cups game. (Hide a treat under a cup, shuffle it around with some others, and let your cat sniff it out and find it!)
⚠️ It’s no secret that cats are liquid – meaning they can squeeze themselves into the weirdest nooks and crannies around your house. Which can be funny when you CAN find them…but not so much fun when you can’t. (Especially if it’s a risky indoor hiding spot, like a washer or dryer, big cupboards, or even rafters.)
And when you’ve got a cat with dementia, it’s that much more important you can find them wherever they hide – even if that’s indoors in your house.
Your cat’s sleeping and peeing spots are key to their privacy – so it’s important they get a little peace and quiet in these areas.
For your cat’s sleeping spot:
A quiet, safe spot – not too far from you – is ideal.
Vets recommend installing an automatic feeding bowl nearby, which can dispense small treats at odd hours when your cat is awake. (Like nighttime.)
A nightlight or soft cat-specific music can help your buddy relax and sleep better.
Get in touch with your vet if your cat could benefit from melatonin supplements. (But only under veterinary guidance!)
For your cat’s peeing spot:
Put a litter box on each floor of your home – a little away from the other rooms.
Ensure the walls of your litter box aren’t too high. (Your cat might have trouble jumping or reaching over.) A litter box with a low entry point can prevent your buddy from soiling themselves around your house.
“Your cat may benefit from being in a smaller space with access to food, water, and a litter box to minimize their chances of getting disoriented and lost, especially at night.”
– PetMD, Dementia in Cats
Plan ahead for a “missing cat” situation
As your cat grows older, their memory might not be what it used to be. Meaning, they’re less likely to remember the boundaries of their own territory or the paths home – and end up wandering too far from safety.
Which is why it makes sense to plan ahead for an emergency. So start by:
Keeping your neighbors informed, so they can help alert you if they see your cat wandering about their lawns or by the roadside. Or better yet, help you in a physical search (especially once your cat is a familiar face.)
Making your cat easy to identify, with their very own collar, ID tag (with your contact details), and ideally, a microchip. Unidentified stray cats might end up in shelters where, if the staff can’t identify them within a certain time limit, there’s always the risk they might end up getting euthanized.
And in the worst case scenario:
Hit “LIVE” on your Tractive mobile app – and track down your cat in real-time, no matter how far they’re off wandering.
Know everywhere your cat goes
See where they are in real-time, no matter how far they go. Get alerts if they roam too far from home. Find out where they’ve been and discover their favorite spots. Let others track with you. Track sleep and activity.
With these tips, you can take good care of your feline friend with cat dementia. Show them all the love they deserve, to make this time in their life a little less difficult. Your love goes a long way when it comes to caring for your grand-cat!
And if you’ve liked this post, share it with a friend or a loved one – and let’s help build a safer, kinder world for our furry friends together.
