More Talkative
Excessive vocalization as she grows older does not suggest she becomes more conversational, but it could imply that she is disoriented due to cognitive feline loss (FCD). It may also be that she is becoming deaf or in pain, maybe from arthritis. Get her checked carefully to rule out any medical conditions. If there’s no physical cause, unless her meowing stems from anxiety brought on by age, your veterinarian can try to resolve it with pheromones.
Restlessness or Waking at Night
Your aging cat may experience loss of hearing or vision, which could have an effect on how deeply she sleeps. Or maybe she wants to use her litter box more often but has trouble finding it because of cognitive feline impairment (CFD). Geriatric anxiety might also be the culprit, caused by being separated from you as you are sleeping or worrying about finding her way around the house. Perhaps medication can help with that.
Disorientation and Confusion
The mental decline of an elderly cat may imitate the Alzheimer’s disease of a person, where the once familiar is confused or unaware. Predictability in the schedule and environment of your cat can help to alleviate its stress. Leave her litter box and food stored in the same locations as normal, and make any adjustments to what she eats or the litter she is using. Place her in a room with food and litter box at opposite ends, if her anxiety is at a fever pitch. Getting both in the same small space will improve her sense of security.
Using the House as a Litter Box
If so to speak, she has put her rituals of removal outside the window, she is not willfully disobedient. There are many reasons for premature removals, such as a decline in movement, a more intense desire to remove, decreased regulation of her bowels or bladder, and severe organ complications, infection of the urinary tract, kidney disease, or even brain tumors. Bring her to the doctor to rule out any medical problems, and increase the number of litter boxes if that is not the cause. You may need to get a litter box with lower sides than her current box, so she can enter and exit easily.
Becoming Emotionally Distant or Especially Needy
The sign is fairly easy to spot as a previously friendly cat becomes less interested in you and your petting is a strong contrast to her “natural” behavior. On the other hand, a previously aloof cat can become clingy and overly dependent— like chasing you around the house or simple and continuously meowing — and may feel the need for constant physical contact. Try to think of this transition as allowing your cat’s attitude to encounter the flip side.
Apathy with a Decrease in Activity
Apathy with a decrease in her normal operation can also mean sickness, so search her eyes to see if she’s displaying her third eyelid (haw). When she passes this check and isn’t significantly different, like not cleaning herself at all or being less sensitive to anything in her life, she’s likely to slow down just with age. If your cat refuses to eat, get her straight away to the vet. Failure to eat can cause fatty liver disease, both rapid and fatal.
Crankiness and Irritability
If your cat responds to being irritated by agitation and crankiness, she may experience the physical effects of aging— stiffness, soreness (maybe due to arthritis), muscle weakness, or decreased odor or hearing. She could also feel some frustration and disappointment about her limited involvement and her desire to be a part of family life. Find ways to integrate her, even if it means Ju
Unprovoked Aggression
In her diminished senses of hearing, vision, and smell, your cat is less capable of feeling people or things coming into her personal space and can be more easily startled than in her younger days. Some preparation on your part can help her with this: Talk gently, slowly raise the loudness of your voice when you approach her while she’s sleeping, or use pheromones (under professional supervision) to help her chill out. Worse case scenarios can allow your veterinarian to take some medicine, but first, give some serious effort to change the behavior before resorting to medications.
An Upside-Down Schedule
Your cat used to be busy throughout the day and sleep as a fuzzy blanket all night, but now she’s snoozing when the sun’s rising and prowling around at night. You could be exposed to noise and hijinks that keep you awake as well as missing your sleeping partner. Treat her like the inner baby she is — takes her out with some active play before bedtime and help her relax by having her groomed at night
Pacing … pacing … and pacing
One of the classic signs of feline cognitive decline (FCD), a disorder that imitates dementia in humans, is shown by an elderly cat who paces constantly during her waking hours. Although seeing your cat walking back and forth constantly can be unnerving, it can also be a bonding experience for both of you. Try to walk with her and carry on a conversation, even if it is one-sided; reward her with treats along her path; or pull a shoelace in front of her if she seems to be playful. Consult with your veterinarian about choices for your cat.