Coping with Cat Dementia

welshbabe88

Hi - out 'stray' cat is about 13/14 years and over the last couple of months has gone downhill - we think it was a stroke or soemthing - but she has symptons of feline dementia now (we did take her to emergency vets and get given anitbiotics and I think cortisone). 

She does not have the quickless she had and is sometimes wobbly - and looks vague at us.  We have barricaded our large garden so she is no longer able to get onto our adjacent lane as it has fast farm traffic - but she has plenty of space and is happy pottering around with me in the day.

We have no catflap and just let her out when she wants - she doesn't use a litter tray. 

However its at night we have problems - she just seems to want attention - or just wanders around, sometimes crying.

I (or hubby) have been sitting up with her all hours or out in the garden - but that is not a feasible solution. 

I have ordered one of those net enclosures from Amazon and was thinking of putting her in one at night with food and litter tray and hoping for the best - as this could go on for months or years.

Does anyone else have better ways of coping?

Thanks

LinLui

If you are going to do that then you need to ensure that she also has a warm and wind/waterproof place to go.

Brie

Friend of mine built a pillow staircase so her ancient cat cope get up on to the bed as that was the only thing that would calm her down. 

My 18 yo would stand at the bottom of the stairs and cry and I'd go down, carry her up stairs (despite her being quite capable as the litter tray was upstairs) and she'd wander around a bit and then ask to be picked up on to the bed.  And she'd cuddle and fall asleep.  That lasted about 2 years before other health problems took over.

Teapot55

My daughter had a small snuggly ‘nest’ for her cat with dementia. It was a bit like one of those She kept it in the cat’s favourite sleeping place. The vet had advised it as it enclosed the cat in a warm environment that felt safe to the cat - a bit like a womb really. 

welshbabe88

Thanks all.  yes the enclosure would probably be in the kitchen - though I might try the bedroom if she prefers.

I already have cushion 'steps' for her off the settee which is her favourite place at present.  Also one of those plastic ones too if she wants.

sheramber

It is common in people and dogs to be restless and disorientated at night, so it is probably the same for cats.
I found a nightlight left on overnight settled my dog.

There are various supplements that can help dogs so ask your vet about any for cats.

It is really a case of finding what works.

welshbabe88

Thanks - yes, we leave the light on now - plus the radio for a bit of background noise.

Mnoee

sheramber said:

There are various supplements that can help dogs so ask your vet about any for cats.

Valerian root is a common one - you can buy pillows or toys with it inside, or just as a 'herb', similar to catnip. There's also sprays that claim to have valerian root, but my cats show no interest in them despite loving the toys and herb. 

I grow valerian and harvest the roots annually, as one of my cats is pretty anxious and goes through a lot of it. It's a bit of work rinsing and drying them etc, but the plant itself is extremely forgiving and easy to grow. 

One word of warning - it smells like stinky old socks! 

welshbabe88

Oh thanks - will look into it.