Do Cats Get Dementia?

Today's cat parents take such good care of their cats that they're living much longer than ever, giving us more years of shared happiness and love.  While that is a wonderful thing, it also means pet parents are seeing more age-related conditions and illnesses in their senior cats.  One of those is dementia.

Sometimes called senility or dementia, what senior cats (those aged 11 and up)   actually experience is called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which is a function of an aging brain.  One 2011 study in senior cats indicated that one-third of cats aged 11-14 will show at least one symptom of CDS.  That number jumps to around 50% for cats over 15 years old.  As with humans, the condition comes on slowly over time and there are specific behavior changes to be on the lookout for.

According to petMD.com, the most common signs of CDS are:
    •    Disorientation
    •    [changes in] Interactions with others
    •    Sleep-wake cycle alterations
    •    House soiling
    •    Activity level changes
Among the other signs a cat may exhibit are:
    •    Confusion
    •    Anxiety/Restlessness
    •    Extreme irritability
    •    Decreased desire to play
    •    Lack of self-grooming
    •    Incontinence
    •    Loss of appetite
    •    Increased vocalization
As with everything related to a cat's health, if you see something unusual in your cat's behavior, call your vet immediately.  Since some of these symptoms can be due to other illnesses or conditions, your vet will likely diagnose CDS by process of elimination, ruling out any other health causes.  A thorough examination with blood tests will be necessary so it's helpful if your vet has good health history for your cat to help diagnose the problem.

While there are medications and supplements your vet might recommend to help cats dealing with CDS, there are things you can do at home that can also improve your senior cat's life.  The first is a change in diet.  There are special foods that have added omega-3, extra vitamins and beta-carotene that can help with CDS.  In addition to diet, making adjustments to your cat's environment can help reduce stress, like making sure food and water are slightly raised off the floor to make them easier to reach; adding ramps to help your cat get on his favorite couch or bed; and making sure litter boxes have lower sides or entries so a senior cat can easily get in and out.  It's also important to make sure you spend extra time with your cat and that he/she has stimulating play time.

CDS, much like aging itself, isn't curable, but with your vet's help and making some changes around your pet's home, it can be managed.

CLICK HERE to learn about the signs of CDS and its diagnosis.

CLICK HERE to find some at-home alterations that can help a cat with CDS.

CLICK HERE to read a recent Washington Post story on pet dementia.