Cat scavenging food!

Fireflyaway

Would like to ask if anyone has an idea what's happening. 
Had our cat 10 years. We are her third home so not certain how old she is. Estimate between 12 and 14 years old. She is very slim and is an indoor cat (she goes in the garden but no further out of choice). 
About 3 weeks ago she started jumping up on kitchen work tops (never done this before) and licking pots / plates etc when I'm cooking. She has ripped open loaves of bread / buns and nibbled them. Yesterday she took a sealed bag of chocolates and ate them all. 
I'm now securing all food away but I'm curious as to why she seems hungry for human food all of a sudden? I've been feeding her Iams for a few years now. She still eats and drinks her own food normally. Her teeth seem ok and she otherwise seems her usual self. Could it be a vitamin deficiency or something?

Dymphna60

I thought chocolate was poison to cats !? 

She should see a vet urgently. 

Even without the chocolate a change in a cats behaviour should be always taken seriously as they are good at concealing illness . 

Fireflyaway

Yes chocolate can be poisonous. Fortunately I don't think there was much actual chocolate in the sweets and she seems fine. I have secured all food as a precaution though. 

[Deleted User]

My last cat Rags sadly was flea infested and often looked malnourished throughout much of her life (it was a strong probable why she was dumped to be fair) I'm noticing some of what were her traits you mention - the taking food, it got to the point where I just learnt to live knowing I couldn't keep anything out.
It could well be teeth time problems too.
My current cat has iams and will not touch human food or it's wet food range. and is not the slightest of cats. (although she's had an 'off' week)
I remember Rags got tested for cat hyperthyroidism in 2015 (when at the time I thought she was 7 but was in fact older) but it came back negative. 
I don't know much though, I didn't even realise you can see an aging cat in cat pictures until recently.

Mrs_Z

I'd get your cat checked for at the vets (blood test). Hyperthyroidsm is very common in older cats and typical symptoms are hugely increased appetite (despite cat losing weight), although it's not clear if your cat is eating all her food and scavenging for human food because she's still hungry.  Signs include weight loss which is not always easy to see as it's gradual and difficult to spot when you see your cat daily.  Please post an update. 

Fireflyaway

She doesn't seem any more hungry than usual. She has never had a feeding schedule, we just tip some food into her bowl when she asks. She nibbles a bit, goes for a sleep, has a bit more etc. She is showing some general signs of age recently. Jumping to get somewhere but missing and falling down, missing the side of the litter box and doing it all over the floor.... She also stands by her food bowl and meows loudly even though there is food and water there. Can cats get dementia? I think getting her checked at the vets is the way to go. 

Pollycat

Yes, unfortunately cats can get dementia.

My friend's cat displayed very similar things to those you mention in your latest post - especially yowling at her food bowl.

She was 18 though.

It's probably a bit late for your cat now but we always stuck to regular meal times for our cat - morning and evening - and when it had gone, it had gone. He soon understood 'no'.

onwards&upwards

Vets asap.  Increased hunger or thirst can be a symptoms of diabetes, amongst other things. 

KxMx

Cats are very good at hiding illness, so any overt changes in behaviour definitely need Vet input. 

Fireflyaway

Thanks everyone. I looked in her mouth in case she had a sore tooth (because of not being so keen on her own food) but I didn't spot anything. That doesn't explain the jumping on work surfaces, diving in the sink to lick used plates and tearing open rubbish bags. Hopefully the vet will be able to run some tests and see what's going on. She has also taken to ignoring the water in her bowl and drinking water from other places instead. I now can't leave a glass of water on the side or have a vase of flowers. She will knock it over. 

Marmaduke123

Definitely the vets without delay. She needs bloods taken and tested, could be a thyroid or kidney problem.