Make sure they have somewhere quiet and peaceful to sleep, and let them doze whenever they want to. This is usually because they simply have a little less energy. ![]() Elderly cats may sleep far more than they used to. If you think your old cat’s behaviour is out of character and that they are having problems with their hearing, take them to see the vet to check that they don’t have an ear infection or another solvable condition.Īnother sign of old cat behaviour is a change in their sleeping habits. Other symptoms of deafness due to natural hearing loss may include loud meowing or some disorientation. They probably haven’t ‘forgotten’ their name or become immune to unusual sounds – they simply can’t hear them very well! Deaf cats can often make up for their lack of hearing by using their other senses, so it’s easy for their deafness to go otherwise unnoticed. If you notice that your senior cat no longer comes running when you call their name, or they no longer respond to unusual or loud noises, your cat may be experiencing hearing loss. Not responding to loud noises or their name If in doubt, take them to see a vet, as some behavioural changes have symptoms that can be treated or managed. Whilst little can be done about feline cognitive dysfunction, in order to provide care for old cats, it’s important that you make sure your older cat feels as safe and secure as possible, and that you are patient with their new behaviour. They may interact with people and other animals less, and show less interest in their environment. For this reason, you should always take your cat to the vet for a check-up before assuming their new behaviour is down to age-related confusion. However, urinating or defecating in inappropriate places can also be a sign of several other conditions, such as feline urinary tract infections, constipation, or even eyesight loss. If they still don’t go to their litterbox, patience and understanding are key. For example, if they always urinate in the same place, try moving the litterbox there. There is very little you can do about this, apart from making it as easy as possible for your cat to find their litterbox. When this happens, your cat may be confused about where the litterbox is, or forget where they are supposed to urinate or defecate. Elderly cats may seem to forget their years of training this is called ‘cognitive dysfunction’, although many people think of this as a form of ‘ cat dementia’. If your usually fastidious cat begins to urinate in places other than their litterbox, it may be down to age-related changes. Read on to find out more about caring for old cats and how to spot any behaviour changes. But how much of this is a normal part of ageing, and when is it time to see a vet? Others may seem unusually confused, particularly if there are unexpected environmental changes. ![]() Perhaps they don’t like playing anymore, they avoid being touched, or they even behave aggressively. However, some senior cats may also undergo changes in their behaviour. These changes are to be expected, and with some adjustments to their care (as well as regular check-ups with the vet) they should enjoy their senior years to the full. Just like us, senior cats may have less energy, be interested in different things, and experience age-related conditions such as arthritis. Ageing is, of course, a completely normal process. As your cat enters their senior years, you’re likely to notice some changes in their health, appearance, and behaviour.
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