Dementia, often called cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS), is becoming increasingly more common now that our beloved cats are living for longer, thanks to the advancement in their healthcare. Cognitive changes in our cats over 10 years old are common, however many of these signs are subtle and can be mistaken by owners as a normal part of ageing.
One study showed cat owners reported at least 1 behaviour problem in 28% of cats aged 11 to 14 years and in more than 50% of cats aged 15 and over.

What are the common signs of Dementia?
The most common presentations of this disease are;
? Change to sleep patterns, they can become awake during the night when they are not usually
? Being more vocal, your cat can often start being vocal at night times
? Wandering or pacing around rooms, can often look lost, stare at walls etc, trapped in corners. Generally being disorientated
? Toileting in unusual spots

However there are more symptoms that can be linked which are linked to the loss of learned associations;
? Altered behaviour, your cat can become more clingy and attention seeking or increasingly more irritable or aggressive
? Change in appetite. They could either have an increased appetite, returning frequently to their food bowls outside of mealtimes or alternatively a decreased appetite
? Decrease in grooming

It is worth noting that some of these symptoms can also be linked to other things, so it is always best to speak to one of our vets if you are concerned.

Is there a cure?
Unfortunately, there is no cure for CDS, however, suitably managed, you can delay the progression of the disease and improve their quality of life. If you think your cat is showing any of these signs, book an appointment with one of our vets and we can discuss options with you.

Management of CDS
The best way to manage CDS is using different modes of treatment. The cocktail of treatment should include environmental, dietary modification, pharmaceutical pain management and cognitive function support.
The best way to support and improve your cat’s quality of life is to acknowledge what the end goal is. What is important in your cat’s life and what you want to improve. You can make a list of activities and so you can document the progress.

Environmental management
Social interaction, mental stimulation and physical exercise are all vital components for cognitive support in ageing cats.The aid of heated beds can attract cats to certain areas of the house. Radiator beds, window perches and elevated beds, that are easily accessible. Puzzle feeders can help stimulate their mental and physical activity. These can provide good brain teasers for your cat. It is also worth adding however, that these environmental changes can potentially have a negative impact with some cats not coping with change. Try minimising stress by keeping the changes low and see if any benefit has been made.

Dietary and nutraceutical support
Nutraceutical is a term used to describe medicinally or nutritionally beneficial foods. It is best to note that these are considered supportive over curative. There are no specific diets that have been designed for CDS, but some diets have shown positive effects in studies. Commercial diets that contain fish oils, antioxidants have been associated with increased longevity compared to non-supplemented diets. Diets such as Hills Feline Mature Adult 7+, and Purina Pro Plan Age 7+ have shown these positive effects. A questionnaire to cat owners was taken place and it showed that 70% of CDS signs improved after being fed diets containing antioxidants, essential fatty acids which are designed to help with osteoarthritis. Hills Prescription Diet j/d Pet nutrition was the main benefactor.

Speak to our vets or nurses to discuss diet changes and/or supplements that we can tailor to your cat.