Does this sound like Dementia?

[Mabelface]

Brian is around 16/17 years old. Recently he's become a lot more clingy, more vocal, sleeps more and the worst bit he's peeing and shitting around the house. Having litter trays makes no difference and he has a cat flap. He'd rather not go out. There aren't any new cats in the neighbourhood to freak him out either. I work full time and can't cope with the mess he's leaving. My house stinks when I get home.

When did he last see the vet? He needs you to take him if you haven't and check out what's going on for him.

Last saw a vet 3 months ago who said he was in rude health.

OK. I think when they get older their behaviour can change like this. How long have things been this way? My 18 year old had dementia but howling can also be a sign of thyroid problems. What do you think his quality of life is like? It is so hard to know the right thing to do but if he's messing the house he's clearly not happy/possibly not well.

I would suggest a check at the vet, old cats it could be something treatable.

His quality of life is good. Ill get him checked when I get paid.

It could be, but dementia in cats is a diagnosis of exclusion I think. He needs to see the vet who I suspect will arrange blood tests for thyroid and kidney disease and for diabetes.

He could also have something like arthritis and be in pain. Pain can make cats behave strangely.

He'd only be labelled as demented if tests came back normal and the vet couldn't find anything else wrong.

My old cat was a subject in a drug trial for dementia, she had to go through a whole set of tests for underlying conditions before she was accepted, because so many things can cause odd behaviours in older cats.

Just an update. I bought a diffuser, not a feliway one with the pheramones, one with valerian and other stuff like that in it. Oh, the difference. Both of the cats are like they're permanently stoned. Brian has completely stopped messing in the house and is a lot happier. Looks like it was just anxiety causing it. I'm so glad, because it means he'll be around for longer. Thank you for all your replies.