Just like us, cats can suffer from dementia in their old age, and cognitive decline and age-related behaviour problems may be seen. There are no tests for feline dementia and, while there’s no cure, there are ways to slow down progression of the condition and help your cat cope.

As a cat owner, it's good to be able to recognise the signs of cat dementia so you can manage and slow the progress of the condition.

Can Cats Get Dementia?

As our cats are now living longer due to good health care, more are now seen with dementia (also known as senile dementia, cognitive dysfunction syndrome or CDS). In the early stages, often seen in senior cats aged 7-11 years, signs of decline in cognitive function may be subtle.

Owners may just put it down to normal signs of ageing. But as the cat gets older and become geriatric (15 years+), the chances of cats developing dementia symptoms will increase and become more severe. Indoor and outdoor, male and female, and every cat breed can be prone to dementia.

What are the Signs of Dementia in Cats?

It has been reported that over half of cats over the age of 15 will show a geriatric-related behavioural problem. However, some of the signs of feline dementia are difficult to distinguish from signs of normal ageing. Senior and geriatric cats tend to slow down and become less active.

Cat dementia symptoms can include aggressive behaviour and memory loss – they can forget behaviours and routines established when they were younger. So, if your elderly cat ‘forgets’ how to use their litter box or toilets outside the box, shows signs of disorientation, changes their sleeping patterns, or interacts less with family members, your cat may have age-related brain changes due to dementia.

Common Cat Dementia Symptoms

Common signs of cat dementia include:

• Spatial disorientation – confused about where they are, where their litter tray is
• Temporal disorientation – forgetting their usual feeding time
• Changes in sleep-wake cycles - pacing and crying at night
• House-soiling
• Increased vocalisation
• Increased or decreased appetite
• Becoming more aggressive or attention-seeking
• Loss/lack of grooming
• Forgetting commands
• Changes in normal behaviour

It’s worth noting that some of the changes in behaviour may be a sign of other health conditions that often affect older cats. These include hyperthyroidism, diabetes, kidney failure, dental disease, osteoarthritis or cancer. So, always take your cat to the vet for a check-up if you spot any altered behaviour in your cat.

What Causes Cat Dementia?

Unfortunately, the exact cause is unknown, but a build-up of a protein called beta-amyloid in the nerve cells in the brain is likely to play a role in dementia. Deposits of this protein affect the ability of nerve cells in the brain to send messages. As the blood flow to the brain and brain function is affected, this results in cognitive decline.

Is there Treatment for Dementia in Cats

While there’s no specific cat dementia treatment, there are ways to manage the condition and slow its progression, including:

• Avoid making changes in your cat’s home that could cause disorientation and confusion.
• Keep to a strict daily routine.
• Make sure your cat’s food and water bowls, litter trays, bed and other resting/hiding places are easily located and accessible.
• Put mats down on slippery floors.
•  Feed your cat a diet specifically for senior cats – food rich in antioxidants or designed to improve brain. function.
• Don’t forget to interact with your cat! Mental stimulation will help slow down further cognitive decline. Puzzle feeders and toys are great for this. And don’t punish them if they’re confused or have the odd accident.

There are no licensed drug therapies for CDS in cats, but your vet may suggest trying a feline facial hormone or may prescribe medication to help reduce your cat’s anxiety. If your cat has any other underlying health conditions, these should be treated.

Can Cat Dementia be Prevented?

Because the exact cause of feline dementia is unknown, it’s difficult to know how to prevent it. However, you may be able to delay the onset and slow the decline. Feed your cat a well-balanced, nutritious diet and maintain them at a healthy weight.

Keeping your cat active, both mentally and physically, will improve their physical health and cognitive function. So, continue with their favourite games and activities. A cat with dementia can still have a good quality of life.

Caring for an older cat with dementia can be a challenge. You may have to make some changes around the house, clear up the odd toilet accident and deal with some sleepless nights. If you feel that your senior or geriatric cat no longer has a good quality of life, ask your vet for advice. 

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Content provided from Vetstream's Vetlexicon Felis - http://www.vetlexicon.com/treat/felis 

Vetlexicon is the world’s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world’s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.