Old cat acting...weird. And new kitten coming in.

Hello, I'm new to the forums, but wanted to join up to discuss something rather odd.

I have a 15 year old cat that is acting suddenly rather strange. 

I've owned this cat for most of her life. The vets estimated she was 'just under a year' when I got her. I've had her as the only kitty in the house and along with several other fosters/other owned kitties. Now, for the last few years, she's been the only kitty again.

During her entire life, even when she was young, and even when other kitties were around, she showed NO interest in toys, playing, and catnip seemed to be of no effect on her. She didn't chase a laser pointer, and the most I've ever gotten her to do to 'play' is maybe take a couple halfhearted swipes at a feather toy before ignoring it again. 

She's a little nervous of people she doesn't know (and quite a few people she does) but has always been just a very laid back, quiet, happy kitty.

Then, about a year ago, she started talking. I was so shocked to hear her meow the first time because in my experience she'd NEVER before meowed. She'd occasionally make a chattering sound at birds, and of course she'd purr, but meowing? Nope. But out of the blue, she started to talk and seemed to discover her voice for the first time.

Since then, she talks fairly regularly...I wouldn't say she's garrolous and she's certainly not annoying, but she definitely has a chat with you now and again. 

Then, a few weeks ago I made the decision to get a kitten. The kitten I chose is still too young to come home (he was just born on 1/7 so he's not coming home till mid/late march) but to prepare for him I started amassing supplies needed for a kitten of his age, including several toys. 

Since then, my cat has become so obsessed with playing it's jaw dropping. She showed an instant interest in the toys and even sleeps on top of one of them now, almost refusing to get off of it most of the time (it's a flat cardboard scratcher in a plastic insert that has a ball that rolls around the outside of it). She's zooming around the house, playing with the toys, and even reacting to cat nip. I accidentally dropped a baggie of it that was attached to one of the toys and didn't notice. I found her with it, totally 'high' and loving life, for lack of a better term. Since then I've sprinkled a little on her scratching post and she goes insane with love, rubbing her head all over it and rolling around on it as much as she can. 

I know it might sound strange that I'm suddenly concerned with her behavior, since this is a 15 year old cat that is acting like a kitten again and all but overflowing with joy, but it's so out of character for her that it does concern me. She has been to a vet and they said that she's fit and as healthy as a six year old kitty, and does not medically 'look' her age.

She's always liked kittens so I'm not concerned with her at least tolerating the new addition when he gets home, and with her new behavior I'm actually hopeful she'll want to interact with him and actually play rather than just watch him from afar, but...yeah.

Anyone else ever have an old kitty that just utterly changed their personality and became  a bouncy, talky,  happy, toy maniac when they never before were, even AS a kitten?

Sounds like this kitten was just what the doctor ordered!!! No experience with cats doing this, but many years ago my sister brought home a puppy. We had an old Hakf beagle, about 12 years old, who had lost a lot of her pep. That puppy renewed her like you would not believe!! She wore that puppy out!!! No kidding!!!! Just enjoy your cats new lease on life!! She sure is!!!! [emoji]9786[/emoji]️

Thanks for your response

I certainly hope so! The thing is, the kitten isn't even in the house yet. So far, it's just the new toys I've been bringing in that she seems to be reacting to, when toys never ever interested her before.

I certainly hope that her new playful attitude and enthusiasm keeps on when the kitten does come home. I'd love her to be able to play with him and keep each other entertained.

Thank you again!

My cat's personality has changed throughout the years.  However it was more gradual.  She's about 8 years old now and I've had her since she was 5 months.  She used to be super super shy.  I always expect her to hide when people come over since that's what she always does.  Two years ago, she surprised me by bonding with my roommate.  She felt comfortable enough to sit on her lap, let her pet her, etc.  And then last year, not only did she adjust to 2 new roommates, she came out when we had guests over.  I guess these changes aren't as dramatic or sudden, but I have heard of plenty of cases where cats' personalities changed as they grew older.  If you're still nervous, you can always take her to the vet for a checkup.  It might be nice to get that done anyways since a new kitty is coming home soon.  Good luck!  

That's another thing now that you brought it up. She's always been very, very shy of people other than me. When I first got her, I was still living with my mother and several of my sisters. She lived with them too for several years, as well as with my stepfather and stepsister when they came into the picture. Then I moved out on my own and took her with me. 

Even with them around her for years she would hide from everyone but me. She would eventually sit in the same room with them but would *not* let anyone touch her but me. 

Five years ago my best friend and her husband moved in with me. They lived with me for four years before moving out. They would occasionally *see* Athena but she wouldn't really approach them or allow them to touch her. Perhaps very briefly, but that was it.

In October I was gone for two weeks and my sister house-sat. The entire time she was here, she didn't see the cat at ALL. Athena refused to come out to see her even though she's known my sister her entire life. The only reason my sister knew she was around and alive was because the food she was putting out was disappearing and the litter box was being used. 

When I got home I had my fiancee with me. It as the first time Athena had met my fiancee (thought she did hear her voice several times before that over Skype). We got home in the evening from a very long drive and sat down on the couch. We'd been there probably ten minutes and Athena suddenly appears, strides right over to my fiancee and leaps up into her lap, curls up with her and purrs herself to sleep. I was completely speechless. 

My fiancee stayed at my place for another two weeks before she had to go home. The ENTIRE time, Athena was either parked on her lap or curled up between us on the bed at night. She was still affectionate toward me but if she had the option of being curled up with me or curled up with my fiancee, she picked my fiancee every time. Don't get me wrong, I wasn't jealous...I was ecstatic! 

She has been to the vet for a checkup and I did mention her new behavior, but the vet said she seems very healthy, couldn't find anything wrong at all. She said she's as healthy as a cat less than half her age. Eyesight and hearing is good, organ function is all terrific, A+ all down the line.