Since Sunny and Angie are both seniors (14 and 12) I worry about what the years to come have in store for them.

I recently read an article on feline senility that talked about the psychological changes in senior cats as opposed to the diseases and conditions that often appear with old age. The article mentioned change in appetite (loss), sleeping more, forgetting to use the litterbox, not being as alert or aware of surroundings and not being as affectionate. The article ended by saying that many people have their senior cats euthanized because they "don´t like the change in their personalities".

Has anyone had experience with these psychological changes in their senior cats and how have you dealt with it?

Mugger is 11 - and I didn´t realize cats could undergo personality changes as they get older. Thanks for the info!

However, being as I´m half-senile myself most of the time, I´m not sure I´ll even recognize it if it happens to Mugger!

All I can say is Dear Misty was just her self copeing with many changes that affected both of us in the 21yrs I had her ,at the age of 17yrs her heart was a bit weaker but she was fine then she went almost blind and coped then her thiroyed gland went over active and she had pills and was fine after them she did eat a little bit less but we carryed on as normal walking out on a harness (she was 13 when we did that for the first time),by now she was about 20 and bless her she went deaf and then she changed only realy the fact she sqweeked louder and grunted in her sleep and used to wake me up with it after manageing being completely blind and deaf getting on and in my bed with out me knowing, she ate well untill the night before I lost her and she was still the little miss cuddle bum she always was and now I´ve made my self cry a little miss her dam big time.
so I can only say for me and the only change was her body did´nt stop getting older infact she became more affecionate and fought hard to stay with me right till the end

My dear friend had four cats of which one was always unapproachable. Hissing, growling, scary!
Up to a certain point when the cat became very calm, sweet even. One could even pat her!
She took up residence on the living room cabinet on which she also ´did her thing´ so yes, I would say personality changes can happen.

My friend too couldn´t bear to see it any longer, and had the cat put to sleep (18 years old.)

Want to mention.......I have several older cats........11 years to 13 years and so far all are not showing any signs of odd behavior and, of course, they gave up the major play of a kitten long ago........rubbing their noses in the catnip I grow in the garden for them is about as exiting a it gets for them, these days and sleeping is a favorite pastime but that is cat behavior at any age.

A few friends have said their cats seemed to be more testy, perhaps due to ´aching´ bones of old age and really just wanted to be left alone more that they once did........

Hmmmmm........never knew anyone who had a cat for 21 years....that is great.......my cats seem to get illnesses or heart problems long before 21 years....and I have quite a few cats over the years........

I have no personal experience with feline senility, but my sister´s cat lived to be 24 before arthritis made it painful for him to get around and couldn´t be managed anymore. They made things easier for him by putting small carpeted steps next to his favourite places (the couch, the bed) and by cutting the front of his litterboxes down so he could step in more easily (they had a litterbox on each floor of the house for him so he could reach them without having to hurry). They also took care not to rearrange furniture or change his routine much so as not to cause him confusion. Vincent never did show signs of what you might call senility though.

From what I´ve read, feline senility is like human senility - it depends entirely on the cat (or person). Not every older cat will have a problem with it. Physical changes are far more likely to be an issue. I´ve read that cats experiencing dementia will wander around and call or cry out, might start getting up in the night and make noise, might start "forgetting" to use the litterbox or cleaning themselves properly...I think that as cat owners, we generally keep an eye on our kitties behaviours and habits, and if you notice things start to change, keep notes to ask your vet. You could also ask friends who visit to remark on changes (cause sometimes when changes are very gradual they may not be so apparent to owners). I have a problem with putting a cat down because of not wanting to watch the cat undergo behaviour changes. Cats don´t have the same self-awareness that people do, so slowly advancing senility won´t necessarily be as distressing to them. I think that owners can go a long way to helping an older cat manage confusion and memory loss.

There are ways to help older cats live a good quality of life. A guy I work with had a cat for almost 30 years, before illness took her. At 14 and 12, Ange and Sunny have a long way to go and they´re lucky enough to own someone who will observe, help and support them!

Cats don´t have the same self-awareness that people do, so slowly advancing senility won´t necessarily be as distressing to them.
That´s the re-assurance I was looking for. Thank you, MichyD!! I´m hyper-sensitive to this issue because I lost my mother and two aunts to Alzheimer´s disease, which is much more insidious than simple senile dementia.

I won´t mind eventually searching for acceptable food, cleaning up messes, receiving less cuddles, getting a few scratches or being hissed at. What I worry about is how the kids will feel and perceive the quality of their lives. I can´t bear the thought of their being mentally distressed as well as coping with the physical aspects of aging.

from memory, when I was much younger and living at home, the old aged cats we had in the family only slowed down. I don´t think there were any sudden changes in their behaviour, only that they got slower! My old cat Smokey that is on my mum´s profile on here (Kempton) - he found it hard jumping up on the couch and stuff. Yet he still kept his old behaviours like sprawling out in front of the fire showing his white curly tummy. There were certain weird things he did do like miaow in his sleep or go into the kitchen when no one was in there and do this howling miaow at nothing.
But whenever I went to visit, after I moved out, I could still tell he was the same old smokey...even though I was noticing a slowness in his abilities over time. He still came on my lap for a cuddle, and was still cheeky enough to beg at dinner time, still to the annoyance of my parents!

He was definitely still aware of his surroundings! I´d taught him to shake with his paw, and he never forgot it! Even on the vet´s table when he was given the needle to be put to sleep! That cat always knew what was going on! He was very clever...so i beleive he still had most of his marbles even to the end. He lived til about 14 or 15 i think in the end. Not a bad run! But yeah I don´t think that the article you read is completely valid in that I think older cats can stay quite wise and are very knowing!

I think the degradation of their cognitive abilities is much slower than that of a humans when they get to a ripe old age...but of their body, unfortunately, much quicker! I still miss him!

Hi Guys,

Below please find a link which explains in detail the character of a cat; hope this will help

http://marielealexandra-ivil.tripod.com/id4. html

I also don´t agree with putting ANY animal down just because he/she isn´t as convenient for you, may require more work, and one doesn´t like a personality, or behavior, change. Would we do this to a human child (or to our aging parents)? I think not. And, our pets are our children as well!! I am willing to do whatever I can to help Beau have the most fulfilling and best life possible, until he lets me know it´s time for him to go.

I also don´t agree with putting ANY animal down just because he/she isn´t as convenient for you, may require more work, and one doesn´t like a personality, or behavior, change. Would we do this to a human child (or to our aging parents)? I think not. And, our pets are our children as well!! I am willing to do whatever I can to help Beau have the most fulfilling and best life possible, until he lets me know it´s time for him to go.

You took the words right out of my mouth!! Well said!

Your story was very touching Bercec and brought tears to my eyes. Sounds like Misty was one tough kitty cat. You must miss her very much.

My darling little Gemma became a little dotty in the last year or two of her life. It was nothing bad, she was still the loving, cuddly and happy cat that she had always been. Sometimes it would be like she forgot where she was and would do loud meowy cries for now reason. Once she heard me talk to her or pat her she was ok again. Sometimes she would wake up in the middle of the night and wake everyone up loudly talking to herself. Some times I think she forgot where the litter trays were as I would find her cute little wees and poos in strange spots.
She was a darling angel and no trouble at all and I believe she did really well with everything considering her age. If I´m still as good as she was when I´m her age I will be very happy!

I don´t care if Mugger starts talking to himself and forgetting where his litter box is and becoming crankier (he´s already cranky, has been since the day I got him).

He is my cat for his whole life no matter what.

I don´t care if Mugger starts talking to himself and forgetting where his litter box is and becoming crankier (he´s already cranky, has been since the day I got him). He is my cat for his whole life no matter what.

Ditto.

my cat tommy is a senior. he knows where his litter box is he just has trouble aiming. he can get cranky sometimes. he likes to sleep EVEN more then before. he will sleep under our bed in the corner he like the be skirt. its really dark under there. we love him sooo much no matter what. we want him to enjoy his senior years as much as he did his kitten ones!

My old girl Jess changed like that, except for the litter box thing. I thought it was funny. She was old and cranky, but she was very happy. Phyll is 13 and she is very cranky and set in her ways. She´s still cuddly, but refuses to use a litter box. My sister just has to make sure she lets her out early in the morning. As she´s getting older she is spending more time with the dog, her best freind.
They both did/do sleep a lot more, but they also have bursts of "kitten fever" too. My sister switched Phyll to a senior cat food and she really perked up a lot. I agree with Wolfie & kittylove.
I enjoyed Jess´s senior years, she was so amusing. I think Queenie will be a particularly cranky elder puss!

Extremely old cats may become forgetful, suffering "senior moments", staying outdoors in bad weather or wandering and becoming lost. These are signs of senility though the cat may enjoy several more months of reasonable health if senile behavior can be managed. Cats which wander and become lost should be confined indoors for their own safety. If you have an escape-proof garden they can venture out in good weather or they may go out on a harness and lead. A senile cat which house-soils should have a veterinary check-ups to determine whether this us a physical problem or senility. Providing several litter trays around the house may help for a while, but when age-related problems become too acute you must review the cat´s quality of life and consider euthanasia.

If it is any reassurance, a cat which lives long enough to become senile has survived far beyond the life-span of a wild-living cat. Few feral cats or wild animals reach senility; as a wild animal loses its faculties it becomes prey for something else, dies through self-neglect or through misadventure. A cat which lives long enough to become senile has probably had a comfortable, nurtured life and this fact may comfort you if you choose euthanasia because of senility and related problems.

Do Old Cats Become Disabled?

Although the senses decline, old age doesn´t always mean disability. In cats, the disability usually occurs gradually enough for it to compensate. Even sudden disabilities (amputation, stroke) are less drastic than you might think because an older cat is generally less active and notices his limitations less than an active, younger cat. As a cat ages, sight and hearing deteriorate, often so gradually that you don´t notice anything until the loss is total.

Your cat compensates by relying more on remaining senses, especially smell, to guide him through his daily routine. Because older cats have a more relaxed approach to life, most appear unperturbed by failing hearing or sight. The problems of deafness and failing sight can be counteracted by a caring owner. Failing sense of smell is more problematical as it causes loss of appetite. Though there is no need to become over-protective, it is worthwhile being aware of some disabilities which may afflict cats.

2-3 months, 9-12 months
Kittens/humans weaned. Kittens are becoming less dependent on the mother.

4 months, 2-3 years
Talking/adult communication in children. Under natural conditions, the kitten is fully independent of the mother.

6-12 months, 12-15 years
Sexual maturity, most females now fertile and able to have young although they may not be fully-grown.

2 years-24 years
Could have raised children.

3-6 years, 28-40 years
Human career-making

6-9 years, 40-52 years
Middle age spread, menopause for some women.

9-13 years, 52-65 years
Human menopause and retirement. Most cats are beginning to take things easier.

13-17 years, 65-85 years
Active but ageing. Signs of senility in some individuals, senses less acute, injuries heal more slowly or incompletely. Internal organs less efficient.

17-19 years, 83-92 years
Probably frail due to loss of bone density, subcutaneous fat and muscle tone. Skin more fragile. Hearing, sight and mobility affected. Less supple.

19-22 years, 92-100 years
Amazing.

22+ years, 100+ years
An exceptional individual

30 years, 136 years
Several cats have recently attained this age.

34-36 years, 152-160 years
Official longevity records noted in the Guinness Book of Records.

43 years, 188 years
Unofficial (unverified) longevity claim; cat was apparently still active and was killed by a train.

These figures were based from a behavioural research. Hope this helps

My cat is 17 and his behavior really changed. He stopped eating dry food, only Fancy Feast, sleeps a lot and cries all the time.

I don´t care if Mugger starts talking to himself and forgetting where his litter box is and becoming crankier (he´s already cranky, has been since the day I got him). He is my cat for his whole life no matter what.
Wolfie, that is exactly the way I feel!! Very well put!!

I would add that in the case of my oldest cat (don´t know exact age as it came to us and adopted us about four years ago), it is needier for lots of attention than I ever saw before.

This cat was not particularily interested in being petted, but this last few months, it is following me everywhere and hoping for me to pick it up or pet it. By it´s body mass, etc. of the descriptions Joan1 wrote, I guess the cat is about 17 to 19 years old. It is okay according to the vet and the testing we had done, but it´s personality has softened as it is a Siamese and has been quite obnoxious at times to us and the other cats. Now, it is behaving completely differently and I can only figure it is due to old age.