Dementia - sensory artificial pet/cat?

[NotMeNoNo]

Hopefully easy question. My mum has moderately progressed dementia - still living at home with dad but increasingly confused, anxious and distressed.
We used to have pet cats years ago and she does love them. I wondered about one of these sensory/robotic cats to help her feel more soothed - has anyone tried one? Reviews seem a bit too good to be true.
https://www.alzproducts.co.uk/companion-pet-tabby-cat-joy-for-all

My dad has ruled out a real cat due to risk of her hurting it/giving it wrong food etc in confusion, he feels it will be too much for him to monitor. To be honest judging from the state of the drowned houseplants it would be in danger of "too much love".

I’d try it. If it doesn’t work for your mum you can always sell it.

Very true!

I am guessing they would be expensive, could you / your DD buy a life like plushy cat 1st to see how she reacts to it

Yes we had the Joy for All Black & White one which I chose because thought looked most realistic of the colours

I suspect how it works for an individual is as different as dementia is and as differnt people are. My parent liked it found it entertaining and enjoyed watching it - it moves its head and does this thing where it lifts its paw and rolls its head back exposing its tummy which makes it look sort of real. It looks like its going to fall backwards but recovers itself.

It purrs and if you have it on your lap you can sort of feel a vibration but my parent never got into stroking it.

It makes a meowing noise which you can turn off - a child found it disturbing and didn't like it.

Like all these things, it was a bit of a novelty at first and then became something wheeled out occassionally.

I was googling for it for a link to show you and see here there are other versions from different manufacturers with more sensors.
https://www.robopets.co.uk/shopnow

We also had this tiger (link below) in black and white which is now not available I think but if you google FurReal they make different ones and also a similar one to the tiger in yellow not ivory. The Tiger is very entertaining. he moved and roars and is very cute but is quite hard plastic covered in fur so not very "cuddly" or soothing. If you are looking for something interactive and a bit differnt the Furrels are great - at least this tiger was. He has more individual movements and noises than the Joy For All cat. I'm sure you can find some videos on line if you look.

https://www.amazon.com/FurReal-Playful-Interactive-Combinations-Exclusive/dp/B07G3GTVT5

Both of them were good buys and I didn't regret either in our case but I think for my parent the Furreal tiger was more engaging than the Joy For All cat - like I said though, people are different.

Sorry I realise I didn't directly answer your question - if you want it instead of a cat, I would definitely give it a go. It's a nice product - at least the black and white one is - can't speak for the others.

There is one aty mum's care home. When I put it on my mum's lap, she appears to enjoy stroking it. My mum's dementia is very advanced so I'm pretty sure she doesn't realise it's a toy. Her eyes light up when I show her the life size baby doll too.

A resident at the care home MiL lives had one of the cats. It did appear very realistic, we considered getting a dog one for MiL but worried that she would stress about feeling she'd have to feed / walk it.

My mum absolutely adored hers, she had hours and hours of pleasure just sitting and stroking it. I guess it was easy to understand and undemanding on her

shop.alzheimers.org.uk/products/precious-petzzz-cat?variant=42367161761946

	Stress and reassurance
	Comfort

This adorable black and white breathing pet cat will delight cat lovers can provide loving comfort, a sense of security and is a therapeutic tool for nurturing and play. Made of 100% synthetic fur.
£29.99

They are common in care homes and very good and very popular

There is also a dog option

shop.alzheimers.org.uk/products/precious-petzzz-dog?variant=42367161467034

Actually there are different breed options on them!

The cat option has rang, ginger and black and white.

I've never heard of these u Gil I saw your thread and googled. I'm now going to buy a couple for elderly relatives that live on their own but no longer have live pets.

My grandmother has a real cat but they have had it a few years now. The cat has lick-e-lix whenever it fancies one as my grandmother forgets. It is a hunter and out a lot, she worries a bit and asks if we have seen it and we remind her it's out hunting. I think the cat does bring her pleasure and is worth the trouble.

My kids have perfect Petzz dogs as
Toys. They are very realistic, my sister thought we had new puppies. They do cats too.

perfectpetzzz.com/

My granny had a reborn doll, might be something else to consider.

My Mum had a similar one (furreal friends one I think). And she loved it. She reacted to the movement, sounds and response to touch, so it was much more engaging than simple soft toys which we also tried. It was really lovely to see her react and talk to the cat. It's so unthreatening, and uncomplicated.

My father's nursing home has one. He doesn't get to see it much, but when I showed it him, I got the impression he thought it was a real cat, even though they don't think he's got dementia.