Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Behavior and Cognition of the Senior Cat and Its Interaction with Physical Disease.
- Journal:
- The Veterinary clinics of North America. Small animal practice
- Year:
- 2024
- Authors:
- Denenberg, Sagi et al.
- Affiliation:
- North Toronto Veterinary Behaviour Specialty Clinic · Canada
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
As cats get older, they can experience health issues and changes in their brain that affect how they act and interact with their owners. You might notice differences in their activity levels, how much they vocalize, their appearance, appetite, litter box habits, sleep patterns, personality, and thinking skills. Sometimes, these changes are due to a condition called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), which is similar to dementia in humans, but other medical or behavioral problems can also cause similar signs, making it tricky to figure out what's going on. To help manage CDS, treatments may include medications, special diets, and activities that keep your cat engaged, all aimed at slowing down the progression of the condition. Overall, with the right approach, it's possible to improve your senior cat's quality of life.
Abstract
In cats, age-related pathologic condition and neurologic degeneration can produce changes in activity, vocalization, appearance, appetite, litter box use, sleep-wake cycle, personality, and cognitive ability. These changes can influence the relationship between owner and pet. Although cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) can cause altered behavior later in life, other medical or behavioral causes may mimic these clinical signs or complicate diagnosis. Management and treatment of CDS can be accomplished through pharmacologic intervention, diet and nutritional supplementation, and environmental enrichment aimed at slowing the progression of the disease.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37865588/