Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease

Tanya's Comprehensive Guide to Feline Chronic Kidney Disease

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (Senility)

Home > Related Diseases > Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (Senility)

Overview

  • CKD does not cause cognitive dysfunction or vice versa.
  • However, like CKD, cognitive dysfunction is more common in older cats, so it is possible that your cat may have both conditions.
  • This page explains more about feline cognitive dysfunction and possible treatments.

What is Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome?

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome (FCD), sometimes referred to as senility or occasionally “Kitty Alzheimers”, is the name given to the signs of aging seen in cats which are similar to those seen in humans with dementia. This is a degenerative disease of the brain that causes behavioural changes. The cause is not known, but reduced blood flow in the brain and increased free radicals may be factors.

Cognitive dysfunction in cats: clinical assessment and management (2011) Gunn-Moore DA Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 26(1) pp17-24 has a helpful overview of cognitive dysfunction in cats.

Cognitive dysfunction (2013) Gruen ME Clinician’s Brief Dec 2013 pp13-16 has an overview of cognitive dysfunction in cats.

Survey of risk factors and frequency of clinical signs observed with feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (2022) MacQuiddy B, Moreno J, Frank J & McGrath S Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery OnlineFirst May 2022 found that living in a rural environment appeared to reduce the risk of developing FCD.

International Cat Care has some information about senility in cats.

Pet Place has an overview of cognitive dysfunction.

Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine discusses cognitive dysfunction.

Frequency

Cognitive dysfunction is very common in older cats: Increased vocalisations in elderly cats (2015) Gunn-Moore DA European Journal of Companion Animal Practice 25(3) pp20-29 states “Approximately 30% of pet cats aged 11-14 years develop at least one age-associated behavioural problem; this increases to over 50% for cats aged ≥15 years.”

Symptoms

Symptoms are sometimes referred to as DISHA. This stands for:

  • Disorientation
  • Interaction changes
  • Sleep changes
  • House soiling
  • Activity changes

Geriatric cats and cognitive dysfunction syndrome (2008) Gunn-Moore DA Presentation to the 33rd World Small Animal Veterinary Association Congress provides a detailed list of other possible signs, including inappropriate elimination or seeking you out.

Increased vocalisations in elderly cats (2015) Gunn-Moore DA European Journal of Companion Animal Practice 25(3) pp20-29 states “The behavioural changes reported most commonly are increased vocalisation (especially at night), and inappropriate elimination.”

Survey of risk factors and frequency of clinical signs observed with feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (2022) MacQuiddy B, Moreno J, Frank J & McGrath S Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery OnlineFirst May 2022 found that symptoms seen in cats with FCD included howling (40%), nighttime restlessness (30.1%), anxiety, overgrooming and housesoiling.

Morris Animal Foundation discusses the symptoms you may see.

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine Indoor Cat Initiative explains more about these symptoms.

The American Association of Feline Practitioners (2009) Pittari J, Rodan I, Beekman G, Gunn-Moore D, Polzin D, Taboada J, Tuzio H & Zoran D Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 11 pp763-778 has a mobility/cognitive dysfunction questionnaire (Table 3 on page 773).

Survey of risk factors and frequency of clinical signs observed with feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (2022) MacQuiddy B, Moreno J, Frank J & McGrath S Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 24(6) pp131-e137 found that cats who lived in a rural environment were less likely to develop cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Pacing or Restlessness

Cats with cognitive dysfunction often pace up and down or just act restless generally. This may be combined with howling, especially at night.

Other causes of restlessness include:

Howling (Particularly at Night)

Howling is a common sign of cognitive dysfunction. One of my older cats liked to wander around the house at night letting out a mournful howl (and peeing on the front door mat, so she also ticked the housesoiling box).

In fact, Survey of risk factors and frequency of clinical signs observed with feline cognitive dysfunction syndrome (2022) MacQuiddy B, Moreno J, Frank J & McGrath S Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery 24(6) pp131-e137 found that 40% of cats with FCD exhibit increased vocalisation. The study suggests that such cats should be assessed for cognitive dysfunction syndrome.

Increased vocalisation in elderly cats (2015) Gunn-Moore DA European Journal of Companion Animal Practice 25(3) pp20-29 states “The most common causes of increased vocalisation are cognitive dysfunction syndrome, hyperthyroidism (with or without systemic hypertension), systemic hypertension (most commonly associated with chronic kidney disease, hyperthyroidism or hyperaldosteronism), deafness, osteoarthritis (or other causes of chronic pain) and brain tumours.”

Howling may have other causes such as:

I would recommend always having blood pressure checked in a howling cat.

Disorientation

Humans with cognitive dysfunction are often confused (though this may also be a sign of a urinary tract infection in humans, and possibly in cats). The howling exhibited by some cats, especially at night, may be caused by disorientation. My vet told me that sometimes old cats wake up and are not sure where they are, so they howl for reassurance; once they hear your voice, they feel comforted and will often stop howling.

Treatments

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome cannot be cured but it can be managed. The mainstays of management are nutritional supplements and medications. Since cats like routine, try to keep their routine regular if possible.

Management of dogs and cats with cognitive dysfunction (2017) Seibert l Today’s Veterinary Practice 7(5) discusses possible treatments for CDS in cats.

Nutritional Supplements

There are a number of nutritional supplements available which are thought to help with cognitive dysfunction syndrome. These usually contain essential fatty acids and antioxidants (which help mop up free radicals). Be careful which you choose because many of these products are designed for dogs and the ingredients are not always suitable for cats.

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)

In humans, a lack of vitamin B12 has been associated with cognitive dysfunction. Supplementing vitamin B12 in the form of methylcobalamin is therefore worth considering.

Aktivait

Aktivait Cat is a nutraceutical containing essential fatty acids and antioxidants which has been found in one trial to help dogs with cognitive dysfunction. It contains various ingredients, including essential fatty acids, vitamin E and co-enzyme Q10 but it also contains phospholipids and vitamin C, which may not be appropriate for CKD cats. Be guided by your vet.

Make sure you only use Aktivait Cat because the canine version contains alpha lipoic acid, which is safe for dogs but thought to be toxic to cats,

S-AdenosylMethionine (SAMe)

S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe) is an antioxidant which is also used to treat cats with liver disease and which may be of some help for cats with arthritis. Brand names include Novifit and Denosyl.

Cognitive dysfunction in cats: clinical assessment and management (2011) Gunn-Moore DA Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 26(1) pp17-24 says “Although S-adenosyl-l-methionine has not been studied for the treatment of CDS in cats, it is known to be safe in this species and may be worth considering for the management of feline dementia.”

Medications

Selegiline (Anipryl)

Selegeline or selegiline (Anipryl) is sometimes used to treat cognitive dysfunction in dogs and also appears to be effective in cats. Retrospective study on the use of selegiline (Selgian) in cats (1999) Dehasse J Presentation to the American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior reports on the effect of selegiline in cats.

Plumb’s Veterinary Drug Handbook states that a possible dose is 0.25 — 1 mg/kg orally once daily.

Mar Vista Vet explains more about how selegiline works, and mentions that it may increase the risk of serotonin syndrome, so check with your vet before using selegeline and mirtazapine.

Pet Place also has information about selegiline use in animals.

The Cat Site talks about the experiences of one cat who participated in a study into the use of selegiline in cats.

This page last updated: 07 June 2022

Links on this page last checked: 05 June 2022