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Cat symptoms purring “all is not well”

Cat symptoms purring “all is not well”
by
August 13, 2025
in Humane Education Column
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By: Judy Hamontre, AVHS Vice Chair

My friend, Rebecca, recently lost her cat, Delta, only 5 years-old. She and her husband Clarke were heart broken. So were two of their other cats, 17 year-old, Kalila and 5 year-old Nucla, Delta’s twin brother. Both cats yowled but took comfort in cuddling with each other.

Then only about a month later geriatric Kalila’s health began to rapidly decline. She was not eating or drinking. Her behavior also changed. She was always a cuddler, but now she was obsessed with it, to the point of frantically stalking her owners so she could get in their laps.

To quote Rebecca, “She’s being really weird, demanding, clawing on our laps, and trying to help us eat our food – not taking no for an answer. And instead of drinking, she is playing in the water bowl! Do cats get dementia? Or is this a new stage of grief? Or has her age caught up with her? Time to call our veterinarian!”

Rebecca called their pets’ vet, and I started to search for information.
I found that:
Cats can develop dementia, also known as cognitive dysfunction.
Cats may grieve.
And cats can be masters at disguising sick cat symptoms, but because they are creatures of habit, any change in behavior is worth watching.

I had three new topics to research and write about!

Because I lost a dog to dementia, I naturally wondered how it might manifest itself in cats.

According to Melissa Boldan, DVM, in a November, 2023 article for PetMd, “dementia, also known as cognitive dysfunction, is a condition seen in some senior cats that affects their memory, critical thinking, behavior, and reason. This condition is like Alzheimer’s disease in people. It is the result of age-related degeneration of the brain, with half of cats over the age of 15 showing signs of this cognitive dysfunction.”
Dr Boldan lists several possible symptoms for dementia in cats.

Acting disoriented or lost.
Vocalizing, often at night.
Staring off into space or getting stuck in a corner.
Forgetting to eat or drink unless bowls are put in front of them or forgetting they have been fed and asking to eat again.
Going to the bathroom outside the litter box.
Changes in sleep patterns or sleeping more than usual.
Unusual interactions with other pets or family members, such as becoming more needy, more reactive or more aloof.
Poor grooming habits.

These symptoms might indicate dementia, but they might also be signs of other conditions that can be common in senior cats. For this reason, if you observe any of these changes in your cat’s behavior, it would be wise to schedule an appointment with your veterinarian.

If your veterinarian diagnoses your senior cat with dementia, there are ways to treat it with enrichment, environmental changes, and possible supplements and medications, all options your vet will likely review with you.

The good news is that many cats live 2-5 years after diagnosis and many live much longer. Every cat is different. Observing your cat’s behavior and noticing when it changes allows you to get the help needed to keep your furry friend healthy and happy.

Sadly, Kalila, peacefully passed a few days after the start of her decline, due to her age, although she had also been exhibiting signs of grief and dementia.

Nucla had lost another buddy. His grief began anew and will be the next tale of “cat symptoms purring, “all is not well.”

 

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