Understanding Changing Behavior In Your Aging Cat

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Animal behaviors change with age and it is the same across every species. A young cat will have more energy and will engage in more physical activity than an older cat. It is important to understand the changing behavior in your pet cat because they may show signs of being sick when in reality they are not. But again, they can be sick and yet you won’t get to know because cats are brilliant when it comes to masking their feelings.Here are some behaviors in cats which are normal as they grow older. However, if the behaviors become too drastic, take your cat to a vet immediately because it could be because of serious health conditions.

1. More sleep, less activityWhile it is not surprising that the entire feline community prefer sleeping over everything else, older cats will sleep more than younger ones. Also, they will be less active. If your cat likes playing with woolen balls, then that might change as he/she becomes older. Even if the behavior stays the same, the intensity is bound to decrease. Plus, older cats will sleep most of the time.
2. Decrease in cognitive abilityAs cats age, their cognitive ability starts decreasing and they become less responsive than they were as young cats. You will find that it’s easier to teach a young animal to do something than it is to an older animal. Memory loss is also associated with aging. If your cat is looking for his food bowl and litter box in the wrong place, then it is a sure sign of memory loss which happens due to aging.
3. Vision and hearing lossA common problem in old people is the loss of vision and hearing. The problem occurs in older cats too. If your cat suddenly shows signs of being lost or being afraid of dark spaces, it can be due to vision loss. If your cat does not respond as it used to, it is a sign of hearing loss. In any case, you should visit a vet if the signs persist.
4. Littering around the houseDon’t blame your cat for littering here and there around the house. Like old people, as your cat grows older, it has less control over its bladder. If you see such behavior, then it’s better to take him to a vet because urinary problems can be signs of serious health conditions.

Like humans, a cat changes its behaviors as it grows older. It becomes less active and spends most of its time sleeping. An aging cat also shows signs of cognitive failure, hearing and vision loss. If the behaviors become too serious take him/her to a vet.