Skip to main content

Can cats get dementia? The answer may be surprising

Understanding the signs, causes, and treatment of this disease in cats

a gray cat on a bed with white sheets and a dark brown headboard
Pixabay / Pexels

Dementia is a well-known disease that can affect humans, especially Alzheimer’s. If you’ve watched a loved one go through it, you know how heartbreaking it can be to see someone forget how to care for themselves, significant life events, and the names of their nearest and dearest. You may start to notice a cat display similar symptoms — they’re angrier than usual and seem to forget where they are (and where the litter box is).

Can cats get dementia, though? The short answer — unfortunately — is that cats can get dementia. However, many signs of dementia in cats can also indicate another issue, so it’s important to work with a vet for an accurate diagnosis. That way, you can make the best decisions for your pet. Still, understanding the signs, causes, and treatment options for cat dementia can empower you to take quick action to keep your cat safe and comfortable.

Recommended Videos

Can cats get dementia?

An orange cat at the vet
Cottonbro studios / Pexels

Cats, like humans, can develop dementia. It’s known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and can affect any cat breed, especially as they age. Domestic cats have long lives, sometimes chasing the red dot for well over a decade. That’s great news for kitties and those who love them, but age can increase risks for health issues, including cognitive dysfunction.

A 2021 Vet Record review explains that dementia is a disease triggered by age-related brain degeneration. A protein (beta-amyloid) builds up in the brain, affecting blood flow. Neurons die as a result of this process. Neurons are cells that deliver messages from the brain to the body and are responsible for memory, focus, attention, and sleep-wake cycles. They’re also vital for spatial perception, affecting essential functions like avoiding objects when moving around a room.

Symptoms of dementia in cats

long-haired, calico-colored cat in a pink carrier
freestocks.org / Pexels

Cats with dementia display telltale red flags. Older research from 2011 suggests that around one-third of cats ages 11 to 14 have a symptom of CDS (not all of these kitties have the syndrome). The slower blood flow to the brain and death of neurons affect their cognitive abilities, and you’ll start to notice new habits and behaviors take hold. Signs of dementia in cats include:

  • Disorientation
  • Accidents outside of the litter box
  • Increased and louder vocalizations, especially at night
  • New onset away from home or in unfamiliar areas
  • Lower desire to play or engage in ways they used to love
  • Disrupted sleep-wake cycles
  • Poor appetite
  • Poor thirst

Caring for a cat with dementia (what you and a vet can do)

a large, white fluffy cat at a vet
Gustavo Fring / Pexels

Your cat could be running into obstacles because of vision problems, and sleep troubles can be a stress-related issue. You’ll want to bring your concerns to a vet. Your vet will perform an exam and order bloodwork and X-rays to rule out other potential issues, like kidney or liver disease.

If a veterinarian diagnoses your pet with dementia, treatment options are available.

Treating dementia in cats

There isn’t a cure for dementia. However, you and your vet can keep your pet as healthy and comfortable as can be for as long as possible with management. Treatment options for dementia in cats include:

  • Diet tweaks, such as switching to a cat food specifically for senior cats
  • Supplements
  • Medications for chronic pain or anxiety

Importantly, don’t give your cat medications for humans, and always consult your vet before starting a medication, new diet, or supplement. You might also choose to care for your cat using comfort care in addition to the above treatments. For instance, cats with dementia can benefit from:

  • Regular routines, such as daily feedings at the same time
  • No significant life changes, such as moves
  • Plenty of play and exercise
  • Refraining from making changes to the home, like moving furniture or the cat’s preferred perches
  • Adding litter boxes to accessible places
  • Minimizing long trips outside of the home
  • Pets and snuggles as tolerated

How long does a cat live with dementia?

Potentially, a cat could live 5 to 10 years with dementia. However, there’s no hard and fast answer. A cat’s lifespan with dementia depends on numerous factors, including:

  • Age
  • Symptom severity
  • Management of any other applicable health conditions
  • How a cat responds to treatment

Ultimately, every cat is an individual. You’ll want to track your cat’s behavior and symptoms and communicate concerns with a vet.

Closing thoughts

face of an orange cat with green eyes
Aleksandar Cvetanovic / Pexels

Cats can get dementia, known as cognitive dysfunction syndrome or CDS. The symptoms of cat dementia are similar to what you’ll see in humans: increased irritability, appetite changes, sleep changes, forgetting to potty in the correct place, and declining memory and spatial awareness.

Diagnosing dementia in cats isn’t straightforward, and vets will often start by doing a workup to rule out other conditions. There is no cure, but dementia in cats can be managed with home and medical care. There’s no way to tell how long a cat will live with dementia, and grappling with your pet’s mortality is no fun (to say the least). Lean on your vet — a good one will help you navigate care and make the best choices for your pet’s health with compassion for you (and your kitty).

BethAnn Mayer
Beth Ann's work has appeared on healthline.com and parents.com. In her spare time, you can find her running (either marathons…
How much wet food to feed a cat? A helpful guide to keep your cat healthy
Creating the best wet food diet for your feline
Ragdoll kittens eat wet food out of dishes

Cat care isn't a one-size-fits-all situation in any aspect, including diet. Every finicky feline has their own food preferences and habits, but you set the rules when it comes to the amount of food they get each day. It can be tricky to determine how much wet food to feed a cat without a veterinarian's specifications, but you can figure out your feline's ideal food with a bit of research and thought.
And that's where we come in! We've figured out the best ways to determine how much wet food to feed a cat so you can approach mealtime without any questions. Remember, many factors determine a kitty's ideal amount of food, so you'll need to consider more than what's in their food bowl.

Wet or dry food?

Read more
What does it mean when cats blink at you? Here’s the secret signal
How to communicate with your cat using slow blinks
Relaxed cat starting to blink its eyes

Blinking serves multiple purposes for both humans and felines. It helps to flush debris out of the eye, keeps the eye hydrated, and can even protect the eye from impacts and potential injuries. Sometimes, though, your cat may blink for other reasons, especially if they look at you while blinking slowly and deliberately. This special blink isn't so much a physical response as it is a way for your cat to get a message across to you. You can consider yourself lucky if your feline friend looks at you like this!

So, why do cats blink slowly when they look at you? Understanding this behavior can help you learn what they're trying to say and even help you communicate with your cat in the same way!
Why do cats blink at you?

Read more
How to tell if a cat is pregnant: The key signs to watch out for
Here's how you know that baby kittens are on the way
Resting pregnant cat sprawled on the ground outside

Your little cat has suddenly put on a few pounds. She's started hoarding blankets. Her appetite now seems to resemble that of a small horse. What's wrong with your feline? Truthfully, it could be nothing, and she just might be pregnant. Of course, this only works if she has not been spayed and has recently been in close proximity with male cats, so you can rule it out when neither of these track. But assuming you can check those boxes, how do you know for sure that kittens are on the way? Here's how to tell if a cat is pregnant.
Could my cat be pregnant?

We already covered the birds and the bees part, but there's more to it than just having a tomcat around. For starters, only a kitty in heat can conceive. Your cat's heats could start as young as four months and last her whole life — she never goes through menopause like a human. This cycle will usually occur in spring, though, that can depend on your location and the climate regulation in your house, which could trick her cycle (indoor cats can even enter heat in the winter).

Read more