Casper is one of our cats, and he is 13 years old. In October, he was diagnosed with dementia following changes in his behaviour.
Common signs of cat dementia include:
- Spatial disorientation – confused about where they are, where their litter tray is
- Temporal disorientation – forgetting their usual feeding time
- Changes in sleep-wake cycles – pacing and crying at night
- House-soiling
- Increased vocalisation
- Increased or decreased appetite
- Becoming more aggressive or attention-seeking
- Loss/lack of grooming
- Forgetting commands
- Changes in normal behaviour
Cat dementia, officially known as feline cognitive dysfunction, refers to a gradual decline in cognitive abilities caused by ageing-related changes in the brain.
Casper now lives on our bedroom window and only jumps down to eat, pee, and poop. We have put a litter tray at the top of the stairs after a few accidents. He will not leave the house at all.
We have padded out the window sill with foam and heavy blankets to prevent pressure sores on his back paws and keep him warm. Luckily, there is a radiator below the window, and the heat rises up. Casper is cosy.
Casper following medication for a tooth infection has started to come downstairs briefly for food in the evenings. He does remember where his food is in the kitchen but then runs back up to his window sill.
Spicy is our other cat, and every time she meanders past the litter tray, she sniffs and has this look of disgust on her face.
We bought a little trolley from the famous Swedish store and it sits at the top of the stairs. This is our Casper station.
The Casper station has all sorts of items and goodies on it. A small hoover for the litter tray, that stuff gets everywhere, Fabreze, pet wipes when Casper needs help with a little extra clean, cat nibbles, cat medication, cat litter and bags, flea treatment and flea spray to keep his bedding clean and his lazer toy.
We have started a routine with Casper of playing with him a few times a day and reassuring him with cuddles. We want him to feel safe. Casper loves his cuddles.
We have spoken to our cat sitter, Nicola, who is ready for his new routine and where the Casper station can be found.
Casper has always been a vocal cat and now and again will follow us to the toilet for a cuddle or jump into your jeans when they are around your ankles! He is our little lion.
Casper is living with dementia and we have adapted. He is at the start of this journey, but our gentle giant is not alone.
Sadly, Casper has passed now. His sister Spicy is also on the same journey of having cat dementia.
