Our 18yr old cats personality has changed recentl. She now crys as she dashes through her cat flap, ?

Question

tends to stare a lot into space. she crys to come up stairs in the night and seems more hyperactive, unable to settle and relax which is out of character for her. she is still eating well but drinking a lot more water.

Answer 1

18 yrs. old is pretty old for a cat....they usually live til 10-12 years...so what you have I think is a cat who is nearing the end of her life...It is true that the drinking of more water could be signs of something wrong, but usually with kidney shut down or problems, they drink less...it could be diabetes, which is actually treatable...take her to your vet and check that out...if she's been around this long you must have taken great care of her, so continue that....if she has diabetes you can treat her so she will be more comfortable and may relax; Help her out like you would any old person....give her extra love, bring her upstairs with you and give her a nice warm soft place to rest her old bones.....again have a vet check her out...and God bless you for being a good pet owner...

Answer 2

Take her to the vets!

Answer 3

You should put her to sleep. Any cat that has a health problem over 14 should not have that pain on her. If you dont put her to sleep while she is still suffering that is animal abuse.

Answer 4

At 18, she is a very old lady indeed! It sounds like senility is setting in, as proposed elsewhere.

Our old lady caused all sorts of upsets between our community and the RSPCA in similar circumstances. By the age of 18, she had developed alopecia and was blind in one eye and somewhat senile! She would spend her time schmoozing the bus queue outside our house. She was very popular.

I did take veterinary advice, which was that her advancing age and condition did not appreciably affect her QUALITY of life and that she should be allowed to spend her remaining days, getting her cuddles and favourite treats (normally brought by the old folks from the sheltered accommodation up the road).

That was when a jobsworth RSPCA officer became involved. She tried to take our moggy to their rescue pound. The ensuing mini-riot, as she was assailed by the Bus Queue was quite amusing. She retired, dignity in tatters, while our young friends formed a protective shield for the old lady!

The RSPCA apologised.

The old lady lived in peace and great comfort for another 6 months and died peacefully in her sleep.

She was a rescued kitten. Her mother had been stabbed to death by a mad man, who went after his family, after disposing of the cat. The Police rescued the family. My wife rescued the kitten. I was left with the knife wielder..........

Answer 5

Matthew is right, could be dementia & possibly kidney issues. Have her seen by a vet & get a blood panel run to check her over all health.

Even though she is old, as long as her quality of life is good - she is happy & eating well... there is no reason not to continue to love & enjoy her company.

One of my very special kittys was diagnosed in liver & kidney failure at around 8 years old. By watching his diet & giving him lots of love he gave me another 2 years of loving. What is surprising is that a cat can appear perfectly healthy, but blood work show that they have less than 1/4 kidney function left. With proper care & love they can enjoy quality of life until you are ready to say good bye. My vet was both pleased & surprised that my boy lasted so long as he was one of her favorites too.

Answer 6

my cat is 18 and has been doing the same thing for 2 years crying for no reason and starring at nothing  dont worry make sure its in no pain eating an drinking plus is active took it to vets did blood urine tests cost 150 pound and said it might have cancer still ok now but if it gets bad go to the vets  

Answer 7

I am not a vet,but drinking more water could be a sign of kidney,or liver problems. As she is now an old lady why not pop her along for a check up. she could be in pain.

Good Luck, Poppet.

Answer 8

Your cat is old and dying...it's brain is breaking down. OR! Did the cat lose a companion?

Answer 9

Older kitties that start drinking more usually have at least one of three diseases. One being hyperthyroid, two diabetes , and three kidney disease. All treatable, none curable. Get her to the vet and ask her to run a senior lab panel to see what is going on with her.

Answer 10

At 18 I wouldn't be surprised if dementia is setting in.  My initial guess is, if she cries going up the stairs she's trying to find familar faces (i.e. you) but isn't able to recall exactly where you'll be.

Also, drinking more water would suggest kidney issues.

As long as she still purrs and eats, then it's a positive sign as any that she's still happy and content though.  It's great your cat is living and still mobile at such an age.

Answer 11

Sounds like her sights going.and shes wanting reassurance. Please take her for a check up.

Answer 12

i think that your cat is just...getting old...18 years is a long life for a cat...

Answer 13

Maybe she's too big for her cat flap and it's hurts her when she comes in or out.

Answer 14

She may be in pain...have you taken her to the vet?