Do cats get dementia?

Yes. Older cats can develop cognitive dysfunction, with signs such as night-time yowling, disorientation, changed sleep and missing the litter box. Because thyroid disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease and pain cause the same signs, a vet has to rule those out first.

Why does my old cat yowl at night?

Night yowling in an older cat can come from cognitive decline, but an overactive thyroid, high blood pressure, pain, and loss of sight or hearing are common causes too. It is a reason for a vet visit, not something to wait out.

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Does my cat have dementia?

Tick the changes you have noticed over the last few months. Cats hide a great deal, so small changes count.

Vocalizing

Disorientation

Interactions

Sleep and waking

Litter box

Activity and grooming

Anxiety

Ticked

in 0 of 7 areas

Nothing ticked. Go through the list with your cat in mind, including the small things you have put down to age.

This tool organizes what you have noticed. It can't examine your pet, and its result is not a diagnosis or veterinary advice. Take what it shows to your vet; if your pet is in distress, go to an emergency clinic now. Full disclaimer

How to read it

Cognitive decline is common in very old cats, but it is the last thing a vet settles on. Night crying in particular is a classic sign of an overactive thyroid or high blood pressure, and missing the litter box is as often arthritis or a urinary problem as it is forgetfulness.

Use the list as a record of what you have seen and roughly when it began. That is what a vet needs to decide which blood, urine and blood-pressure checks to run.

Changes that appear suddenly are not typical of dementia. A cat that suddenly cannot see, loses balance, has a seizure, strains in the litter box or stops eating needs a vet the same day.

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