Dementia?

[Americano75]

Bit worried about my older cat. She's about 15 and recently become a lot more vocal, and much louder with it. She's in and out of the house constantly too, she wants out then back in again almost immediately and nags for food a lot more, even when she's just been fed.

No toileting issues that I'm aware of, she does have a litter tray but rarely uses it.

Have you had her thyroid levels checked? Some of those symptoms sound like my cat with hyperthyroidism (she also lost weight and her coat looked a bit greasy).

That's a thought actually, thanks! Hoping to avoid a trip to the vet as she is very much not a fan!

Despite her reluctance, I think she needs a blood test to see what the underlying cause is. If it is her thyroid then it’s easily treated (and very common in older cats).

I'll be phoning the vet first thing I think. We've had her 13 years to the day and she's so precious to us.

@FuzzyWolf @Offcom thank you both so much for answering, just on way home from the vet who agrees it does look like hyperthyroidism. We'll find out next week.

Very glad I asked the question here now.

You’re very welcome and thanks for the update - as @FuzzyWolf says, it’s very treatable so it’s kind of good news if that’s what it is? Hope the vet visit wasn’t too stressful for everyone!

God, it was so stressful. She gets very distressed in the car, so we had poo and vomit to deal with!

The vet did warn us that the worry was that the hyperthyroidism could be masking kidney or heart disease, but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Just confirmed, definitely hyperthyroidism. Seeing vet tomorrow to discuss treatment options, we're thinking medication rather than the iodine therapy.

My poor girl, she's at least 14 so I suppose these things are to be expected.