Do cats get dementia or go a bit crazy?

[Sleepingboy]

I have a cat that is 9 years old. She always had a mad half hour like most cats do, running round at speed etc, but she seems to be doing this a lot more. She also has started biting much more often when someone is stroking her. She also has started weeing and pooing in the house when she hasn't before. She's also wanting to sit in the dogs beds and wee in them and also digging up earth from a potted plant . She's also gone mad jumping up on worktops and eating what's up there

Do cats get dementia or go a bit odd? Is she too young for this? Why is she doing it and that can we do?!!!

Does she have a tray?

Yes, cats do get dementia. I don't know whether she's too old, but humans can get early onset. Talk to your vet.

9 is relatively young for a cat though to be fair. X

She doesn't have a litter tray, she has a cat flap and goes out side

She might like a tray, the weathers turning cold & she’s a middle aged girl now.

I wouldn’t want to wee outside in this weather.

It's probably worth getting a litter tray. My cat gets like this when she gets cystitis, poor thing.

Yes, the vet and I think mine might have some symptoms but they are 14.

Take her to the vets for a check up and get a litter tray.

Yeah, get a litter tray and get her checked out by the vet. Sometimes when animals run they are trying to ‘run away’ from pain. Perhaps being stroked hurts too and that’s why she bites? Maybe she has a UTI. Very common in cats. Makes elderly people go a bit barking mad so it could be the same for the cat. The cramp like pains you get from a UTI may be what’s making her pee in places she shouldn’t as she can’t wait and it’s so sore she would push a poo out too sometimes. Take a pee sample to the vet when you go.

It sounds like symptoms of hyperthyroidism as well, she's now a senior (8+) and should probably have blood and urine tests at least annually to pick up on any health issues anyway. I would recommend a vet visit.

Agree, thyroid needs checked. My cat is back to his laid back self since going on the not cheap meds.

Definitely a vet check. Mine started to get dementia but more like 17 years old.

I hadn't thought of getting a litter tray. She's never had one. I don't think she'd know what to do with one

I agree it sounds like a thyroid problem. My cat started crying a lot but nothing would satisfy her. She roamed through the house at night crying to go out then crying to come in. My ex threatened to leave because of the lack of sleep (smart cat, I should have listened to her) but once she had her thyroid removed she became her adorable, purry, sleepy old self again.

We've just had full blood works back and there are no physical problems.
Just old age apparently.

@dreichwinter 9 isn’t old. Our old girl was 19. I wouldn’t be satisfied with that answer. Checked for UTI?

Our cat has been a litter tray refuser for years - although we have always had two in different rooms just in case - but between the fireworks and a very cold/wet spell, she's now using a tray on a semi-regular basis which she hasn't since we started letting her out. She prefers to poo outside still, but will use the tray if the weather's really bad.

I'd probably take her to the vet for a check, and try a tray.

Thanks @Wolfiefan but I'm not OP and my cat is nearly 15.
But yes they ran urine tests as well.
Apparently kidney damage is also very common in older age but it wasn't that Either.

@dreichwinter so sorry. Must RTFT in future. Our old girl used to sort of cry and wake us at night. She’s been gone several years now. Still miss her.
She had a thyroid issue but also arthritis. A heat pad helped with the arthritis but she ended up on tramadol too. Anything to keep her comfortable.
Good luck with your kitty.

Thanks, we have just got a pad, though cat often still chooses to sit on the dog for warmth instead.
Not being great with the litter tray I can manage.
The shouting for food all the time drives me a little nuts, especially if I have literally just finished feeding him.
But wouldn't be without him.

As cats get older, they do become reluctant to go outside for toileting. However, I'd suggest a vet check for three reasons. Toileting issues could be a sign of a physical problems. Periods of hyperactivity are a sign of hyperthyrodism. Not wanting to be touched is also a sign something is up.

I should have said in my post, our girl is five and in fine fettle - she was just really upset by the fireworks, which finished with days of freezing, lashing rain. I’m glad she’s started to sporadically use the tray, because she would often hold on for far longer than could have been good for her if the weather was bad.