Last Updated: 1 year ago
When people think of “dementia,” they often assume that the person suffering from it is a human being.
Perhaps they’ve seen dementia in older relatives. What many people don’t realize is that pets, including cats, can also get dementia as they age.
Much like with human dementia, cat dementia is the deterioration of a cat’s brain as it ages.
It has a lot of symptoms that may worry cat owners, and treatment isn’t exactly doable.
Before you panic, let’s take a closer look at this issue.
What is cat dementia?
Cat dementia is the common term for feline cognitive dysfunction.
This is the age-related onset of confusion, memory loss, and other cognitive issues in cats. The best way to explain it would be to liken it to an Alzheimer’s diagnosis for your senior cat.
Vets may also call this “Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome,” or CDS for short. Regardless of the name, feline dementia remains a potential issue as cats age.
Can cats get dementia?
Yes, cats can get dementia. However, this is only possible after your cat reaches their senior years.
There is no official “early onset” cat dementia diagnosis on the books, though many cats will see cognitive decline by the time they reach 7 to 11 years of age.
How common is CDS in cats?
Half of all cats will have at least two symptoms of dementia by the time they hit 11 years of age.
This doesn’t mean that they would get an official diagnosis. It generally takes a lot of symptomatic behavior to get this diagnosis.
With that said, around 36 percent of all cats aged 14 to 20 will have an official diagnosis of CDS.
How to Spot Senile Dementia in Cats?
First, let’s talk about senile dementia in cats. As cats age, they become more prone to both physical and mental issues.
Although it’s easy to spot physical symptoms like weight loss, stiff joints, and possible urinary tract issues, it’s much more difficult to spot senile dementia.
That’s because cats are extremely stoic animals, and even the most friendly cat sleeps a lot. Because of its symptoms, senile dementia is often mistaken for other physical issues.
Signs of dementia in cats
In many ways, cat dementia can mirror what humans with dementia experience.
These symptoms below are often indicators that your furry friend might have CDS:
- Confusion. Does your cat struggle to use the litter box? Does he wander away from home or get lost in your house? Did you notice your cat struggling to figure out where their food bowl is? If so, this could be the confusion that comes with dementia.
- Forgetting to do basic things. Cats that have dementia might forget to eat, bathe, or drink water. Sudden weight loss and matted fur can be visible signs of their cognitive decline.
- Aversion to Affection. Love bug cats typically maintain their desire for petting, holding, and cuddling throughout their lives. If your cat has traditionally been a cuddler, but you find that he is starting to avoid contact or become easily irritated, this could be a sign of senile dementia.
- Lack of interest in play. Most adult cats will “settle down” after two years, but if your usually-springy cat won’t bat at their toys or chase their friends, CDS could be to blame.
- Sleep disturbances. Sleeping patterns can often be disrupted as a result of dementia. Your cat may sleep longer than usual or may wake up at odd hours of the night. Cats that are usually quiet at night might start vocalizing.
- Eating larger quantities than usual. While some cats might forget to eat, others may swing in the opposite direction and eat more.
- Staring into space. Much like with human dementia sufferers, cats with CDS have a tendency to stare at a wall for long periods of time.
- Vocalization. As cats move into senile dementia, they will become more and more vocal as they become more and more confused and unsure. This will generally increase at night, as the cat will be more restless and even more confused due to the darkness.
Treatment for cat dementia
Before you assume your cat has dementia, it’s important to take them to the vet.
Feline dementia can mirror several diseases, many of which have cures. Cat dementia cannot be cured; it can only be treated.
Thankfully, there are several ways to help treat cat dementia. These include:
Comfort
Memory loss is confusing and frightening for everyone—cats included.
Offering lots of pets, working around your cat’s memory issues, and encouraging your cat to play can do a lot to help alleviate dementia symptoms.
The most important part about comforting your cat is that you need to keep food bowls, water dishes, and litter boxes in the same place. Moving them around will upset your cat more.
Nightlights
Nightlights have been known to help cats relax at night.
A vet can help you learn how to use nightlights to help your cat regulate their sleep better and also locate vital items (litter boxes) at night.
Brain Games
The best way to help your cat continue to live a happy life is to encourage them to keep their minds active.
Using toys that have puzzles in them can help cats with CDS get the brain stimulation they need to slow down the degeneration of their minds.
Supplements and Medicine
Omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin B12, and certain medications can help slow down the onset of cat dementia.
You can talk to a vet about the best supplement course for your fuzzy baby.
FAQs
Now that we’ve gotten the basics down, let’s talk about the most commonly-asked questions related to cat dementia.
Is cat dementia preventable?
Yes, but only up to a point. Like with humans, not all cases of cat dementia are going to be preventable. Prevention is best done with lots of playtime, puzzles, and a good diet.
When do cats usually develop Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome?
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome usually starts to take hold between 7 and 11 years of age. Most cats will be diagnosed by 14 years of age.
How long do cats live with dementia?
Believe it or not, dementia is not a death sentence in cats—at least, not a fast one. It’s possible for cats to live an additional five to 10 years with proper care. Caretaking requirements might change as your cat continues to age, but it’s generally still manageable.
Final thoughts
Cat dementia is not very well-known among new pet owners, but it is a common issue among aging cats.
Though it may not be the easiest thing to deal with, the good news is that it’s a preventable and treatable condition.
Dementia can make it hard for your cat to live a regular life, but it’s not a death sentence. With a little extra love, your pet will likely be around for years to come.
What’s your experience regarding dementia in cats? Please share in the comments below.
Oh my, I had no idea this could happen to cats. I’m happy I read this now I’ll be sure to watch for the signs with my two furbabies.
Oh wow! I don’t have any cats but this is great information.
Thanks for sharing this very informative post. Although I’ve had cats all my life, I never realized that they could suffer from senility. Definitely something to keep in mind.
I had a sweet little cat of mixed breed in my clowder. At the age of 13 she started to show symptoms like described in the article. She started to eat, forgot what she was doing and left to do something else. She was a silent type earlier, but started very loudly to vocalise. She stopped going outside and started relay on me or other cats on everyday tasks.
Luckily she kept using the litter box, but I needed to groom her or keep company to her that she remembered to do so. Usually our routine was to eat together. I keep putting the bowl under her nose if she was leaving and fed her nutrition rich pastes from the veterinary clinic. After the meal we had grooming session and cuddly time.
She lived only two years after the onset of symptoms. I don’t think a 13 year old cat is old so I suppose they also have an early onset variations of dementia.
Thank you for this.
We have an older adopted senior cat and he has suffered trauma in the past so it is not easy for us to tell what is natural behavour for him BUT we feel he is not exhibiting the signs you indicate – he is wandering a little but but, we think, it is due to finding some late senior confidence in hs new home AND he always has a light left on for him at night (yeah helicopter mum talking here….)
My little girl is 20 years old. She goes to her Vet every six months since she was 10 years old. She does yowl at night – the Vet said this is probable dementia. However, it was hard to take the Dr. seriously because Miss Kitty is still using her litter box. She DOES sleep more often. I thought this was because her arthritis may be acting up (which she takes meds for). Now I know, the poor girl prob. has dementia. Needless to say she is a pampered baby. 20 years is a long time to spend with someone – I love her dearly !
Our girl Cleo, seemed to revert back to her kittenhood, she had always had an aggressive streak (I have the scars to prove it), but as she started to lose the plot she wanted more attention and was keen to sit on your lap and have a cuddle she even started playing with toys, somethings had got bored with as she had reached adulthood. She still went out but didn’t venture far from the sight of the door often when she went out she would just sit gazing around as if she wasn’t quite sure how she had got there.
I have a cat that’s 18 years old. He has been deaf for the past 2 years and has learned to live with that for most part. He has always traveled with us in the RV but the last time we went he was peeing all over the bed and us.
Prior to that event I knew that he was going senile because he will sit in the house and just mew and will sit there looking like he is lost.
This is good information to have, especially since cats are living longer these days. Our “Foxy” was 19 when she passed away!
This is tough. One of our cats is getting older, and I hope he’ll stay healthy for a few more years.
This is good info to know. It is sad to think that cats suffer with this like humans
It’s great to know these signs. I know my cats are starting to get older too. I’ll have to make sure to watch for the signs.
Poor kitties! I hope mine doesn’t have to go through this. But this was a great post to help people look for the signs.
I have to make sure to share this post with my sister, she has a cat.
I’m surprised to know about this too. ? Didn’t know it also exist on cats.
This is really helpful! I didn’t know this condition exist in cats. Thanks so much for sharing!
It’s so sad to know that your cat has dementia senile. But we need to do everything that it’s possible to help them!
This is great info! Although I don’t have cats quite yet I know how to spot if they’re senile now.
I didn’t realize this even happened to cats! Lots of really useful info here thanks.
I have never had a senior cat, and it is interesting to read about this. I did not realize cats could really be affected by becoming senile.
I never know that Cats experience such. Glad I came over your post. It’s interesting to learn more about pets especially cats.
For those with senior cats, these are helpful tips. Thanks for sharing.
For those with a senior cats, there are great tips, I don’t have a cat, but I’ll share this with my friends who have cats. Thanks
My cat Harlie is now 15. Literally the last week, she has gone from a loving happy cat, to sleeping under my bed and doing everything she could to keep away from me. I’m still not sure this is the answer, but am hopeful, this is it and she’s not otherwise sick. I will make an appointment with the vet and see what they think!