Expert: Jessica - 8/14/2009

Question
Hi Jessica,

My fiance has a 14-16 *(no one can remember how old exactly) Siamese female cat.   I have been living with him for 3 years and at first she really liked me, then she started to act jealous, then finally became anti-social(running away to a corner when she saw me). In the past two years she has also become aggressive towards other people at times, and other times she is her sweet self.    I brought a kitten into the house about a year and a half ago, and she ignored it at first, but now hisses at the newer cat whenever it gets close.  She has also started to urinate in the corner that she hides in, and has even defecated on the living room floor twice!  She has always had a problem with vomiting, but the recent addition of her refusing to use the litter box at times (even when myself or the other cat is not in the house), and just going wherever she is sitting.  She also has limited eyesight, but can still get around very well and seems to have good energy.   What can we do to make this better???   Every time I come into the house she still runs to hide in that corner and the urinating is starting to become a daily thing- and being an animal lover, I do not want him to have to put her down or for her to be in a cage or down the basement because she cannot or does not want to go in her litter box.

Answer
Hi Katherine.  Poor kitty!  I think your fiancé needs to bring her to the vet and have the kitty examined.  First, a urinalysis should probably be done to rule out problems like a urinary tract infection or crystals that could be causing her pain.  

Secondly, they may need to discuss the possibility that the kitty is beginning to suffer from Feline Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), similar to human Alzheimer’s.  It causes many of the same symptoms, such as confusion, disorientation and unprovoked aggression.  Cats suffering from CDS frequently fail to use the litter box, get “stuck” in corners, seem not to recognize familiar people, suffer mood swings, become aggressive without cause, over vocalize (especially at night), wander aimlessly or walk in circles, may sleep excessively and start to neglect their grooming.  I think a lot of your fiance’s cat’s behavior fits this profile.

Unfortunately, as with Alzheimer’s, there is no cure.  However, there are some treatments that are being used successfully.  One is Anipryl, which contains the same ingredient as a human Alzheimer’s treatment and has been used in dogs for years.  Many cat owners have noticed an improvement in their cat’s behavior when treated with this medication.  And another is Novifit.  This contains SAMe, an amino acid proven to be linked to aging when deficient in humans.  When Novifit was used in dogs, studies revealed improvements in social behavior and a reduction in behavioral problems.  Many vets are seeing benefits in cats as well.

Some special accommodations should be made for the kitty as well, especially since you know her sight is limited, which is probably causing her some anxiety.  It’s usually a good idea to start keeping activity to a minimum around geriatric cats with vision problems, and perhaps to limit their access in the home to a few rooms so the house won’t seem so overwhelming.  Anytime there’s company, especially with children, try to make sure that she’s in a place where she won’t be bothered, such as a quiet bedroom.  Also, extra litter boxes should be added closer to where she spends her time so that she won’t have to wander too far to get to one.  Up to 9 out of 10 cats this age have arthritis, so making it easier on her to reach her litter box may help solve some of her litter problems.  

If the vet feels any of her problems are being caused by anxiety, there are also ways to help with this.  I like a product called Feliway.  I use the plug-in diffusers in my own home.  You can learn more about how the product works at www.feliway.com  I recommend you buy it at amazon.com.  It seems to be least expensive there but is also available elsewhere online and at pet stores.  If necessary, she could be put on anti-anxiety medications.  Don’t forget that any accident areas should be cleaned with an enzymatic cleaner, like Nature’s Miracle, to remove the stain completely.

I hope the situation improves!

Best wishes,
Jessica