Our cats are beloved members of our families, living longer and healthier lives than ever before. It’s important to realize that with longer lives, veterinarians and pet owners are seeing age-related changes in our feline family members, including cognitive changes.
What is Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats?
Feline cognitive dysfunction is also referred to as kitty dementia. Cognitive dysfunction is a gradual change that occurs over a long period of time. Rapid changes may have other underlying causes.
Usually, brain and cognitive changes occur in older cats, with these often being at least 10 to 15 years old. Cats of any breed can develop cognitive dysfunction.
What Are the Signs of Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats?
Signs of cognitive dysfunction vary between cats, with some showing only one or two signs that are difficult to detect and others having more. Some of the signs to watch for include:
- Increased vocalization, especially during the night hours
- Disoriented
- They seem lost even in a house they have lived in for several years
- Wander around
- Forgetting to eat or wanting to eat even after eating
- Urinating or defecating outside the pans
- Behavioral changes (eg, being reactive or nervous)
- Changes in sleep and wake cycles
- Stared into space for a long time
There is a process in pets and people with cognitive dysfunction called sundowning. This refers to the fact that some animals and humans show more signs of mental changes later in the day, such as sunset.
What Causes Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats?
The main thought behind why cats develop cognitive dysfunction is the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. The protein accumulates in the brain, eventually slowing blood flow to parts of the brain, which inevitably leads to neuronal cell death. The changes we associate with cognitive dysfunction may also have roots in other health conditions.
Some examples include:
- Cataracts that lead to vision changes or even complete blindness
- Arthritis leads to pain climbing in and out of the litter box, so the cat stops entering the litter box
- Kidney failure or diabetes leading to excessive urination, which may occur outside the litter pan
- Hyperthyroid kitties are often more vocal at night and may want to eat more during the day
- Hypertension has been linked to vision loss in cats
- Even toothache can affect your cat: he may not want to eat with a sore mouth or behave more withdrawn
Diagnosing Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats
Diagnosing cognitive dysfunction is difficult in pets. In cats, your veterinarian will want to perform a thorough physical exam, checking for discomfort from dental pain or arthritis, eye changes, and even skin changes that may indicate distress.
They will likely recommend some diagnostic tests because there are a few things to rule out:
- Blood work to check kidney values and other measurements
- Urinalysis to prevent urinary tract infections
- Radiographs to assess for arthritis
- Thyroid panel to rule out hyperthyroidism
- Blood pressure monitoring to check for hypertension
Your veterinarian may refer you to a neurologist to perform an MRI to look for changes in the brain. They will also likely perform a spinal tap to check for infections.
How Do I Care for a Cat With Cognitive Dysfunction?
First of all, your veterinarian will want to treat any underlying health conditions that may be contributing to the occurrence of cognitive dysfunction. The veterinarian may recommend cleanings and tooth extractions to treat diseased teeth. Hyperthyroidism can be treated with methimazole.
Consider a medication like Solensia as a monthly injection for arthritis pain in cats. Gabapentin is commonly prescribed for both anxiety and neurogenic pain.
You can also try different litter pans for your cat, such as ones with a lower lip, so they don’t have to step as high if they’re uncomfortable.
Diets high in vitamin E and antioxidants may have benefits for brain health and slow the progression of cognitive dysfunction. Other supplements that may be helpful include:
- SAME (s-adenosyl-methionine)
- COq10
- Omega-3 fatty acids
Talk to your vet about melatonin to help your cat sleep at night.
Do not make sudden changes inside the house. If you have to move furniture, try to navigate your cat to new locations so they know where everything is, especially if they have vision changes.
Consider not bringing new pets into the environment, which may stress your cat more.
Enrichment is beneficial for these kittens. You can put food in a puzzle toy or treat dispenser so your cat can manipulate it to get the kibble out.
Pheromone products, such as Feliway, help cats reduce stress or anxiety. Your veterinarian may prescribe a behavior-modifying medication, such as fluoxetine or amitriptyline.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How long does a cat with dementia live?
Cats can live several years with dementia, and it doesn’t necessarily affect their life expectancy. The most important issue is managing any underlying health problems to keep your cat comfortable and what you can manage. Some people have issues if the cat wakes them up all night. Significant disruptions within the human-animal bond may mean it is time to consider euthanasia.
How can I improve the quality of life of my cat with dementia?
You can try a few things to keep your cat’s quality of life at an acceptable level:
- Limit changes within the home
- Do not allow your cat outside unsupervised
- Consider putting lights on timers to help identify your cat at different times of the day
- Limit stress but offer enrichment activities, such as puzzle toys or playtime
Conclusion
Cognitive dysfunction is a serious condition affecting cats that can affect you and your cat’s quality of life. Work with your vet to try and identify underlying causes that may be treatable, and most importantly, be patient with your cat. It’s scary for them too, and they’ll need your support.
Featured Image Credit; Xiang Mao, Unsplash
