Weird cat behaviour, should I worry?

[EauRouge]

One of my cats has been behaving strangely recently. He's always been quite thick an unusual cat but for the last month or so he's been getting weirder.

The first thing that happened was that he started struggling with the cat flap. Not physically, it just looked like he'd forgotten how to use it. He was scrabbling away for ages. He's cracked it again now though.

Also he's become more of a lap cat after years of sitting on his own. His brother has started doing it too though, so maybe that's just down to cold weather.

And the last thing is that he's started sleeping in funny places. He has his own bed, access to ours and the DDs' beds, and we have an enormous sofa but he keeps sleeping in the middle of the floor or on the kitchen floor which is tiled. He's started sleeping more deeply as well.

There aren't any physical symptoms and he's eating fine. He's a 10 yo neutered male and has never had any health complaints, other than being a bit slow.

I've read about cat dementia but he's only 10. Any ideas? Thanks

[cozietoesie]

He's not too young to be having a neurological problem or two depending on his constitution but it doesn't sound bad so far. (When you live with an animal, you tend to notice very small changes in their behaviour but they may not be a disaster.)

I'd just keep a weather eye on him and make sure that his physical health continues to be good. When is he due for a check up at the vet's next?

Oh - and maybe get a litter tray or two in for nighttime/alternative use as a pre-emptive strike. If you don't already have one on the go.

[EauRouge]

Thank you. They go outside with no problems but we have a litter tray for if the weather gets bad so I'll get some cat litter in.

I'll just keep an eye on him for now. I feel protective of him because he's a bit dim

[EauRouge]

Oh dear, he's getting weirder :( He's scrabbling at cupboard doors trying to get in (don't think there are any mice, his brother is the hunter so would have noticed first). He's still eating OK but just wandering round being odd. DH is wondering if we should take him to the vet.

[cozietoesie]

I would. Maybe write down all his oddities - and/or keep a diary of his behaviour over the next few days before your appointment. That will make it a lot easier when you're actually there.

[EauRouge]

Thanks, I'll keep track and book him in. Fingers crossed, he's dim but so lovely. We're hoping for lots more years with him yet.

[timtam23]

Does his eyesight seem ok? My cat was quite a bit older (16) but started to behave a bit weirdly last year, we put it down to him being contrary but the poor thing was going blind
He is on treatment now for high blood pressure and has adapted fairly well to poor eyesight but I do wish we'd gone to the vet sooner

He'd also had overactive thyroid the previous year and had been lying on the laminate/tiled floors a lot, we think it was because his body temperature was higher due to the thyroid problem, and the floors were cooler for him

I'd definitely get him checked over by the vet, good luck.

[RandomMess]

They are also prone to diabetes! It does sound like a vet visit is in order tbh.

[EauRouge]

What would be the best way to test his eyesight, throw something and see if he watches it?

He has been sitting on the tiled floor in the kitchen and right by the back door which is a bit drafty, I haven't noticed that he's hot though.

[cozietoesie]

Remember to make a note of that sort of thing. Anything that seems out of character given how long you've known him. The vet can mentally discard anything irrelevant.

[msrisotto]

I hope he's ok. The things you have said don't seem bad but you know him and if you say he/s not his usual self, then I honestly think you know best.

He doesn't sound distressed - do you think?

[msrisotto]

To test his eyesight - you could try playing with him with a toy on a stick or string and see if he can catch it?

[EauRouge]

He always sounds distressed, he's half Burmese so he's got one of those loud oriental yowls

I'll try and get him to play, he usually just looks confused if I do that though. I wonder if maybe he's been hit on the head by something? It's happened quite suddenly. Do cats get concussion (probably a stupid question)?

[timtam23]

for eyesight - my cat started to have difficulty finding his food, we would put it down and he would still stand there miaowing for it, and he was always getting under our feet
Also he found it harder to judge distances e.g. he fell off the sofa once, & he stopped going outside (he used to adore going out in the evenings and would jump up & run along all of the nearby walls, now of course he can't do that any more )

[EauRouge]

Just been to the vets because he stopped eating and lost a lot of weight and they've found a massive tumour in his stomach :( I've dropped him off at the animal hospital for an ultrasound to find out exactly where it is and then we'll have to decide what to do next. He did figure out the cat flap again and start behaving a bit more normally so this has come as a bit of a shock.

[cozietoesie]

I'm sorry for that, EauRouge. Not looking so good I guess.

[EauRouge]

Thanks. Just brought him home from the vet. He's had a steroid injection to try and give him a bit of an appetite so we could have him back for the weekend, but she said the tumour was so bad there's nothing they can do. Absolutely dreading telling the DDs.

[timtam23]

So sorry EauRouge
Make a big fuss of him, lots of little treats, try to enjoy the time you have left with him although I'm sure it'll be very sad for you all

[cozietoesie]

Did you manage to break the news to the DCs?

Hope you're all doing OK for the weekend.

[EauRouge]

Thanks. He's eaten a salmon fillet and seems quite chipper. Still very thin though. We're going to tell the girls after the eldest is back from her skating lesson. We didn't want to tell them too soon, but also wanted to give them time to say goodbye. DH is going to pick up some play clay on the way home from skating so the DDs can take paw prints.

[cozietoesie]

It can be rough when they've had a steroid injection because the effects can be (temporarily) almost miraculous and you start to think 'Oh maybe he's winning' - but they wear off pretty quickly I'm afraid.

I'm glad you and he are having a good weekend though.

[noddyholder]

I had this exact scenario last year. I did get over optimistic re the steroids and as has been said it was short lived. Good luck and lots of good vibes for telling your dc.

[EauRouge]

Yes, the vet did say we could carry on with steroid injections but it may only buy him a couple of weeks so I decided that it wasn't worth the stress for him. In a way I'm really glad it's so sudden and hasn't involved lots of long, drawn-out treatment. He hasn't been in any pain and he'll be able to be PTS at home where he's happy. And his big brother is still with us so we'll get lots of furry cuddles!