Herding Cats at Home - June 2006

Q: My elderly cat now only wants to stay in my bedroom 24 hours a day. She also sprayed in the corner twice. She also doesn't want to sit on the floor. I don't understand this unusual behavior.

A: ANY major or sudden behavior change in a cat of ANY age calls for a trip to the veterinarian for a check-up. If you haven't taken your cat in for a check-up, do so right away. Be sure to tell the vet about the behavior(s) you find troubling. Elderly cats should see the vet at least twice a year anyway.

There could be several reasons your cat wants to stay in one place:

1. She might be having trouble moving and getting around, due to arthritis, stiffness or other movement problems, and just doesn't want to leave her favorite place (your bedroom).

2. As to the spraying in the corner, she might have experienced pain (such as constipation, which is common in older cats), or arthritis while in her litter box, and now associates the box with the pain. Changing the box itself, its location, and/or the litter can help reassure her the box is "safe."

If she's been suffering from constipation, or if you've seen her crying or straining in the box, a trip to the vet is definitely in order. Sometimes, a couple doses per week of hairball gel can solve the problem.

3. She might be starting to suffer from Feline Cognitive Dysfunction syndrome ("kitty Alzheimer's") and be confused about where her litter box is, or even where she is. Cats with this condition can get disoriented and confused even in very familiar places. It's likely she feels safe and comforted while in your bedroom, so she naturally wants to stay there.

4. Elderly cats sometimes get extra-fussy about things. Your cat may have developed an aversion to something about the rest of your house (maybe because she had a bad experience, fell down, or had some pain).

Since elderly cats spend most of their time sleeping anyway, it might be a good idea to confine her to a smaller space than your whole house -- perhaps your bedroom, where she's happiest? If you provide her with at least one convenient, low-sided, uncovered litter box, a warm, comfy bed, a familiar scratching post and constant fresh water supply, and plenty of attention and fussing, she will be quite happy. I suspect that trying to navigate the whole house might have become too difficult, confusing and complicated for her, either because of cognitive problems, arthritis, or just a general reluctance to move about (common in elderly of all species).

My Nika (who just turned 20 in May) has settled in happily and comfortably in her "private suite" upstairs, where she sleeps with me every night, and enjoys brief visits from her special friends among my other ten cats.

Our elderly kitties deserve the very best from us -- and a little extra thought and accommodation to their quirks and special needs will go a long way.