Old cat

[bensmum]

I wonder if anyone else has had this problem. My 16 year old cat seems to have taken the attitude lately that's she's now old and will therefore do whatever she likes! This often involves waking me up in the early hours for some attention, helping herself to my dinner, making a lot of noise and generally being a pain in the a*** at times! She's been to the vet and no health problems, it just seems to be attitude. I have never had an elderly cat before and wonder if this is common behaviour.

[wolf63]

sounds like my cat. He died when he was about 18 years. He was a bit senile towards the end.

My vet told me to ignore him when he wakened me during the night, but this is almost impossible. Even shouting them is seen as attention - you can't win. I used to sleep with a waterpistol under my pillow, but by the time I got ready to aim he was away doing something else equally annoying.

Being extra vocal can be a sign of thyroid problems, but if your vet said she is okay he will have checked for that.

Everybody that I know with old cats seem to have the same problem. I tried locking him out of the bedroom, but the screaming and scratching was pathetic and pretty loud.

I now have two 18 month old cats - my problem is them running around the house during the night. They sound as if they are trashing the place. It seems that chasing each other up and down the stairs for what seems like hours on end is fun for cats!

Good luck with your cat, annoying as she has become I am sure that you still love her loads.

[pussnboots]

Hi bensmum, Funny you should have this problem, so have I, my cat is 17 and just recently has started walking all over me in the night, if I close the bedroom door he scratches the carpet and it is so annoying that I have to get up and let him in then he is walking all over my pillow purrrrring in my ear, love him to bits but I cant thank him for sleepless nights.

[ganesh]

My cat was nearly 20 when he died but for the last few years I think he 'lost the plot' and it sounds like this is happening to yours. They 've 'forgotten' the rules,meeeow louder because they're more deaf, and generally become more senile. It's hard to teach an old cat new tricks and as long as they are healthy there's not much that you can do except perhaps confine her to certain areas when you need to.
Good luck

[bensmum]

Thanks for that - you have all described the exact behaviour - I think she's going loopy! I do still love her to bits though, even at 3am!

[lousebaguk]

At least your cat dont come inside the house to go to the toilet.. mine has a habit of coming in and peeing in the same spot by the front door.. then goes back outside..!! Mine is about 18 years old and is starting to be a real pain to the neighbours too, making loud noices at there doors and pestering for food etc.. everyone thinks i should have her put down, but shes healthy.... (( i couldnt put her down if i tried unless she was ill)) So cleaning my carpets is a daily thing now.. hope this dont happen to you.. (( i have another indoor cat, so i hope he dont start it too, nor the dog at that matter!)

[dolly pond]

my fluffy babies try it on during the night, howling and scratching at the bedroom door. I ignore them which is very hard, but they get the message in the end! now they wait quietly on the landing for my alarm to go off, then they start howling!!! clever little cats. bring me mice, frogs, birds and shrews almost daily.