17 year old cat with multiple health/behavioral issues

by Beth
(Atlanta)

I have a female 17 year cat who has been diagnosed with arthritis in her back legs, a heart murmur, and liver disease. The vet is not sure if it it is hepatitis or cancer, she just knows that something is wrong with her liver (based on lab results) and it will only get progressively worse. She is thin, and eats constantly. She is getting around, although she sways when she walks and you can tell that her back legs are weak. I don't know how much pain she is in, the vet told me that cats are very good at "hiding" pain. I do give her an anti-inflammatory/pain killer prescription every 3 days. I don't know if this helps her or not. I see no difference in her behavior after she's taken it. She's also started having head tremors and sometimes her back legs shake uncontrollably, although she doesn't flip over or lose total control. This happens every several days.

The biggest problem we are having with her is that she is peeing all over our floors and now our carpet, too. We take her outside to go, but that is hit or miss. Sometimes she goes, sometimes she doesn't. We can't leave her outside by herself because she just isn't as strong as she used to be, and there is a cat next door who is very aggressive towards other cats.

I am truly torn about what to do. My husband wants to put her to sleep SOON. His view is that she is going to cost us thousands of dollars to replace the floors & carpet and that she is not going to get better anyways, only progressively worse. I see his point, although I feel that I would be playing "God". She is still a very sweet and loving cat and she has not stopped eating or drinking, which some say is the point at which it's time to do something. This is causing both of us so much stress, both towards each other and towards her.

Please help! Any thoughts from other cat lovers would truly be appreciated!

Answer from Kate
Hi I really feel for you as this is never a easy decision to make. I have had to make it once and it tore be apart but I know that i did the right thing for her in the end.

My advice has always been that once a cats quality of life diminishes to the point that living is no longer enjoyable for them then it is time to help them cross over. In your case the fact that she is urinating around the home is a sign of distress. she is probably not feeling that well, can no longer do all the cat things she wants to any more like jump and climb etc and this is making her feel anxious. Cat urination is often caused by anxiety over something.

I agree with your husband but not for the reason of cost of carpets etc but by the sound of it your cats quality of life is no longer very good at all and is may be n some discomfort too.

The decision is yours but take a look into your cats eyes as I did and I found my answer there.

wish you all the best
Kate

19 YEAR OLD CAT BLEEDING FROM VAGINIA

by pAULA
(Ames.Iowa.USA)

My white furred, female, blue eyed love of my life has always had a UT problem. She is the alfa female and has servived 5 other cats; whom ranged in ages of 15 years and older. RoseAnne is 19 years old and loves to snuggle.Her top weight was 5 lbs.For the last month she has been lathargic and now she is bleeding from her vaginal hole.Quite a lot I feel. Called the vet and he recommended a heavy duty antibiotic. 2 days into this drug and it hasn't stopped. She's still eating, pooping,taking in water, and doing tricks for "CANDY" cat treats. WHAT CAN i do?

Answer by Kate
It does sound like a rather nasty infection and antibiotics can take over a week to stop an infection.

however if you really are concerned that the amount of blood is excessive then i would take her to the vets so that he can examine her and rule out any other possible causes. Sometimes only an examination can provide a diagnosis and appropriate treatment.

i hope she is better soon

best wishes Kate

Older cat

by Maria
(Bakersfield Ca, usa)

I have an orange tabby male cat who is 10 years old. He is the oldest of 2 other orange tabbies, a male and female. This morning he had a bowel movement right in the middle of the living room. His kitty litter box is perfectly clean and very private. Please help me understand why he did this. He doesnt appear to look sick, nor I dont feel he is upset. Your assistance is appreciated. Thank you.

Answer by Kate

Hi well it is difficult to say for sure what could have caused this. In a healthy cat this sort of behavior is known as middening as is associated with scent marking caused by something which has upset the cat. please see this page for more information on this

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-poo.html

However if your cat is getting on in years there may be a medical condition involved, something which makes it difficult for him to hand on to his bowel movements.

i would wait and see if this problem persists, if it does then a trip to the vets may be your best option to rule out any underlying illness.

best wishes Kate

Older cat/new kitten behavior problems

My first cat THOMAS is 1 1/2 yrs old. He was the ONLY cat for 1 1/23 yrs.
I recently got a kitten 6 months old. Thomas now beats her up by biting her
abdomen, she screams and I run in yelling at THomas and then put him by himself in the bedroom for a couple of hours. Then he comes out and repeats the same behavior. I am going crazy. I don't know what to do to stop this
behavior. PLEASE HELP ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Answer from Kate
HI
First of all are you sure he is attacking her and hurting her? I say this because when cats play it can look rather nasty. Is he growling or hissing when he does it? If not then it could be just play.

Also is the female cat spayed/ Is Thomas neutered? If not then having them both done will reduce any aggressive behavior. At 6 months old the female cat could be coming into her first heat if she is not spayed yet.

The last thing i can suggest is that if you do think that this is aggressive behavior the only thing you can try is to reintroduce the two cats again to each other using the safe method described on this page, it takes a little time and effort but can help to solve a lot of issues.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/introducing-cats.html

best wishes Kate

17-y.o. Queenie our long haired cat has recurrent fur matting problems

by Andrea M.
(Canon City, Colorado, USA)

I have a very thin 17 year old long haired cat that has recurring severe matting of her hair. We brush her often but nothing seems to keep her from matting up again. I recently brought her to the groomer and had her shaved this past Monday (3/14). It is too expensive to go to the vet right now to ask; so I hope you may be able to help. Is there anything we can do to help her skin to heal from where she pulled her own fur out (that's when I realized she had something more serious to begin with). Is there a conditioner spray or treatment to prevent her from matting again? Thank you for your assistance.
Warm regards, John & Andrea

Answer from KAte
Hi
Yes it can become more of a problem in long haired cats as they get older as they are not as able to groom themselves as they once did and so the fur can become clogged with dirt and gravel quite quickly.

The problem is you really do need to groom your cat at least once a day even if it is just a quick brush through. this will help to remove loose fur and also any gravel and bits of stuff from the fur which cause the matting.

there is no point in using any spray on treatments as your cat will just lick them off so it is not recommned . it is better to give your cat supplements to help keep the coat shiny and soft and in good condition. If you see this page you will find a product for this.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-hair-loss.html

Once the coat is in good condition again the scabs etc will heal by themselves so don't worry about those.

best wishes kate

old cat with lumps on skin.

by mrs carole clothier

my elderly cat is nearly eighteen years old. she has the start of kidney disease. loosing weight at rear endof her body and drinking a lot. she is long furred and her fur has several lumps in it. in these lumps there is a milky substance. what would this be please

Reply
Hi it sounds like she may have abscesses. the white stuff may be puss.

I'm sorry to say but your cat sounds like she may be in some distress. Losing weight etc may indicate a number of possible illnesses and her immune system may now be too weak to fight off infection hence the skin infections etc. I would strongly urge you to take your cat to see a vet as soon as possible.

Best wishes kate

Oldie Cat

by Joe
(Orlando)

My cat went to the vet several weeks ago, had blood work done, vet says he is healthy. My cat though seems unbalanced in his backside. He jumps, walks but looks like he is drunk walking, wondering if it is his joints.

Answer from Kate
Hi quite possibly cats can suffer with arthritis etc as they get older, see this page for more on this.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-arthritis.html

It si also possible that he may have some discomfort in his anal area, blocked anal glands, constipation etc.

It is worth taking him back to the vets to have this assessed just to make sure he is not in any pain etc.

Hope he is ok again soon

best wishes kate

old cat pees and poops where I last was

by Kathy
(Maine)

I have a 16 year old siamese mix female. She poops on my side of the bed, on the pool table, on any clothing left on the ground, etc. and it's getting worse. I'm afraid if I don't clean HER LITTER box every day she'll terrorize me. Help. She knows what she's doing too. it's no accident.
Answer from Kate

Hi
cats don't think like us at and so her behavior is not done in spite or for revenge etc. there is always reason for it.

Now she is que old so she may have a tummy problem due to some underlying illness so it is worth having her checked over by a vet to rule out any illness.

If she gets the all clear then her problem is purely behavioral and can be cause by many different things. Please see this page for more on this

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-poo.html

best wishes Kate

Older cat is aggressive since new kitten arrived

by Vikkie
(Leeds, UK)

Hi,

I have a 3 year old female cat who has never been a really "cuddly" cat,
she would let me and my boyfriend pick her up if she was in the right mood, but would hiss at new people and had a tendency to bite and scratch when playing.

We got a new male kitten a month ago, he is now nearly 4 months old. The
older cat was very wary of him at first, then seemed to relax a bit and
even chases him occasionally. She does however hiss at him whenever she
first sees him in a room, and also hisses at us if we come near her when
she can see him.

She lets him eat out of her food bowl, and will even reluctantly share a
bowl of treats with him, but spends a lot of time upstairs by herself,
and hardly ever wants a fuss.

Do you have any tips to help us help her relax and enjoy all the
attention we want to give her?

We tried to make a fuss of her before him each time we see them, but he
comes running over and then she gets nasty again! Also we can't even take her into a different
room for attention because then he cries and she hates that sound and gets even more wound up!

Reply
Hi
Unfortunately some cats don't like to live with other cats and prefer to be the only pet in the home. There is no way to change this and the best that you can hope is a sort of truce. It sounds like that is what is happening in your home and the hissing etc is likely to always be there.

The only thing i can think of is that some of the calming medications or cat sprays may help your female cat to relax around the new cat and this may also help her to allow you to be more tactile with her. This can be a temporary measure until she gets used to the new situation of a another cat being around.

I have information about these cat relaxing products here

scared-cat.html

It may also be a good idea to give her something to distract her from the current changes in the home. New toys of things to explore are good for this. there are many different sorts of cat toy on the market and some cats react better to some than others. See this page for some suggestions

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/indoor-cats.html

best wishes kate

old cat loosing weight and excessive moulting

by margaret Norwell
(Argyll Scotland)

Sheba has lost a lot of weight is still eating and drinking she is trying to remove lumps I also brush her but it is difficult as there are so many lumps with white dandruff.
I have had this cat for 7 years she was orginally a rescue cat and so I am not sure of her age.the vet thought she was about 4 years old when I got her she came with her male Kitten who was thought to be two he is in fine health.This winter they had to spend 6 weeks in kennels as i had 3 very bad breaks in my ankle and had to go to my daughter as I live alone.I will be going to the vet next week as they are due injectioons which I have yearly but if you could give me some ideas as to what is wrong with my cat


Reply
Hi Margaret
well losing weight could be a sign of several condition's such as caner, heart failure, diabetes and thyroid problems to mention just a few.

i do wonder if there could be a thyroid issue as the moulting may be connected with this gland.

i had a cat with this condition and she moulted terribly all the time.

I have some more information about the condition here on this page

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-thyroid.html

Your vet would have to do some blood work though to discover the true cause of your cats weight loss.

Sad to hear about the matts in her fur too, she may have t have these shaved out as they can become very painful for the cat as they start to pull on the skin.

The conditions I mention above may sound scary but in most cases they are treatable and it may of course be something else entirely, your vet will be able to discover more .

best wishes kate

17 yr old cat losing weight

by Cindy
(corona ca)

Hello. My 17 yr old Siamese was diagnosed with a lung infection 2 yrs ago we exhausted all antibiotics so they told us to take him home and see what happened, well he is still alive but the cough and labored breathing never went away He now has lost weight to the point that he is just skin and bones 4 lbs! but he has a great appetite , he is only defecating 2 or 3 raisin sized bowel movements every day or two and they are very hard.He drinks water and urinates quite a bit or as much as my other cat does and can still jump up onto a high counter top. He coughs up a foamy substance every day sometimes throughout the day. He is lethargic somedays but other days he is up and moving around a bit. I dont have the money for another expensive procedure last time they levaged his throat and cleared his lungs and it cost me over $1000.00 so I cant afford to take him to the vet and I dont want to put him through that again. He also has started tearing at things like pillow cases his bed or blankets. I am guessing he may be in pain and that is why he is doing that. I really love him and hes like a member of the family but I am afraid that maybe the humane thing is to have him euthanized. I hate that idea and just about have a panic attack every time I think about it. I had a beagle with a brain tumor and when the vet at Banfield put him down he was still awake and he cried out in pain and keeled over dead and that has haunted me ever since. So I have been praying that he will just go to sleep and not wake up, however I know that may be awhile so I would like to know what I can do about his pain and or if you think I should let him go. Also how can I make sure he is put down humanely without any pain? I know this is a long letter but I appreciate you taking the time to read it and respond.
Thank you Cindy

Answer from Kate
Hi, I'm sorry to hear of your cats distress etc. It does rather sound like he may be coming to the end of his days. He may have another health problem which is causing the weight loss. Thyroid problems
https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-thyroid.html

heart problems
https://www.our-happy-cat.com/feline-heart-disease.html

diabetes
https://www.our-happy-cat.com/feline-diabetes.html

to mention just a few.

Unfortunately your cat needs to be properly diagnosed by a vet to ascertain the true cause.

if you have a good vet he should advise you of all the options and their possible outcomes etc. this way this will allow you to make a decision about whether or not it would be kinder to let your cat go, especially as it sounds like he has other health issues too and he is rather old now.

I had to have a cat put to sleep last year and it was the hardest thing i have ever had to do. But i know i made the right decision for her and that gives me peace of mind.

I cant comment on your terrible experience with your dog, in my experience euthanasia is quick, painless and should be done in a calm quiet situation. Speak to your vet about your past experience and your concerns if this is what you decide to do. A good vet should be able to reassure you etc and also give you option. if you are not happy with what your vet says etc, then simply find another vet.

My heart goes out to you at this difficult time and I hope that whatever you decide you will know that you did the best thing for your cat.

best wishes KAte

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/pet-euthanasia.html

16 week old cat trying to suckle on sibling! What to do?!?!?

by Julie`
(Oregon)

Hello, I know this sounds weird but I have two 16 week old siamese tabby mix brother kittens (one short hair, one long hair). We recently noticed that the short hair, suckles or "nurses" on his longhair sibling! The long hair kitten seems to allow this behavior from his brother and doesn't try to suckle in return... I have tried getting a kitten bottle and have made kitty "glop" (formula replacement) but it doesn't seem to satisfy him. Any suggetions?
If you'd like video I can get some for your reference. Thank you, I appreciate your reply asap, as we worry about him digesting hair and hurting his brother's belly. ~Julie

Reply
Hi
this can be a common issue for some kittens. usually cats are fully weaned between week 8 and 12. However some kittens take a little longer.

this suckling behavior needs to be stopped to prevent sores appearing on the other kitten.

When ever you see him doing it move him away and distract his attention with a toy. he will eventually grow out of this phase as he moves completely onto solid food.

i have a page about kitten weaning which you may find of further interest here
https://www.our-happy-cat.com/kitten-weaning.html

best wishes kate

Older cat started walking funny - maybe arthritis?

by Tammy
(Tennessee)

Hi, I noticed a few hours ago that my 15 year old cat has started flicking her tail a lot (almost like a spasm), and now seems to be walking funny with her back legs. She doesn't seem to be in any kind of distress and in fact has continued to follow me around the house, wobbly legs and all. It just happened so suddenly that I want to be aware of any other symptoms I should be looking for.

She looks alert, has been eating, drinking, and using the litterbox today, and isn't meowing or crying at all when she walks. She just continues to purr and wants me to pet her just as much as ever. The only time she does cry or hiss is if I pet her too close to her tail, but it's been that way for years. The vet confirmed last year that she does have some signs of arthritis in that area, but it has never affected her mobility. She still jumps up on our guest room bed whenever she wants to nap, and was able to jump up just now even with her legs so wobbly.

There is a storm coming in, so I'm wondering if it's just causing her arthritis to act up. I would still like to know if there are any other symptoms I should be checking her for, like how I would be able to tell if she is having a stroke or a blood clot or anything. I would take her to the vet, but she is always so traumatized after every visit that I try to only take her if something is seriously wrong.

Thanks!

Answer from KAte
Hi
I think it is probably best to ask you to read my page on this subject as it should contain the information you are seeking.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-arthritis.html

best wishes kate

16 years old inside declawed cat wants to go out?

by jennifer graziano
(bessemer city, nc)

my 16 years old cat inside all her life declawed never wanted to go outside i tryed to take her out a couple of years ago and she freaked out and was so scared to go out now we have a new 1 year old kitten male that is and outside inside cat. Now the 16 year old cat is crying like crazy to go out and she goes out i sit with her and she shivers and shakes, i dont know what she is doing i dont know what to think.? she has lost her fur due to being allergic to fles and she has that vet stuff on her and she is growing it back but a freind says she wants to go outside to die cats dont like to die at home ? is that right. she really never was a people cat never liked to be picked up or touched now she is all over me and wont leave me alone. what do you think.? please help me. thank you,

Answer by Kate
hi
as cats get older their behavior can change and sometimes this is due to old age setting in. i think it would be best if i pointed you towards my page about older cats and some of thing that can happen to them.

As for the going outside to die, well yes some cats do like to take themselves off when they are feeling unwell but that does not necessarily mean that they are going to die. Also taking themselves off could simply mean hiding under the bed.

Any way here is the page about older cats it may help you to understand what may be going on. of course if you are really worried then a trip to the vets may be a good idea to give her a thorough check up in case there is some underlying illness.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/senior-cat.html

best wishes KAte

18 yr old female in heat 3 times in a month

by Lela
(Wooster, OH, United States)

Hi my 18 yr old black cat Rainbow has been on her heat cycle three times within or just above a month. One week she was in heat and the next she stop and so on and so forth. I'm afraid this might be her last run. I just want to know whats wrong with her. Also she has never had kittens and she is to old to get spayed.

Reply
Hi
Are you sure she is in heat? i ask this because it is unusual for a cat of her age to continue to come into season. Normally this ends when they are around 14 years old. I wonder if it would be a good idea to take your cat back to the vet if you haven't lately to have her checked over, her behaviour may be an indication of something else going on.
This page has some info about cats in heat just for your information

cat-in-heat.html

Cats can also display some unusual behaviors due to their age for various reasons, such as fading eyesight , loss of hearing of even dementia. Please see my page here for more on this.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/senior-cat.html

Love your cats name by the way, Rainbow is a very uncommon name but really suitable for a cat i feel as you always smile when you see a rainbow and likewise you always smile when you see a cat, they bring such joy.


best wishes kate

Old cat severely sick??

by Olivia
(Massachusetts)

Hi, for more than a week now my cat has been acting strangely. He's a 10 year old indoor cat, never neutered or de-clawed. I know he has a kidney disease, but I don't have the money to treat him for it. His eating habits as of late are on and off, but most of the time he barely touches his food. He's become stick thin, no matter how much food we lay out for him. He drinks a lot, and throws up frequently. He no longer climbs into his litter box, and instead looks for any clothes or towels left on the ground to do his business on. He used to have no problem jumping up on my lap when I sit down, but he needs someone to pick him up and set him down anywhere thats higher than he can step on easily. Then he stopped letting me touch him and wouldn't eat the treats I usually give him. Just today, he started hiding in one of the closets. I've loved this cat since I was a little girl, and I have no clue what I'm supposed to do now. He meows like he's in pain. I've been told by some of my relatives that I should put him down. Should I? I'll be really grateful for whatever advice you can give me, thank you.

Answer by KAte
I dont know what to say i am so angry. Your cat is very ill and suffering and needs to see a vet as soon as possible.

You say you love this cat but I can't see how you can if you have not taken him to a vet. having no money is not an excuse.

At 10 years old he is getting on but I wouldn't have said that he was very old. My last cat lived till 17.

yes the vet may diagnose an illness which cannot be treated in which case yes euthanasia is the kindest option.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/pet-euthanasia.html

However there are also many conditions which can be successfully treated. Please do not wait any longer, take your cat to the vets. borrow some money or find a animal charity near you that may be able to help with the costs.

I am sorry if my response may seem harsh but I just can't bare thought of animal suffering needlessly.

I hope you can find your cat some help soon

best wishes KAte

Older cat used to meow LOUDLY now doesn't meow at all...

by Lorraine M
(Monroe, MI, USA)

we just got a rescue kitten, and the older cat (she is a spayed 15 year old) only hisses occasionally at the new kitten (male, 7 weeks old) but has STOPPED meowing (other than hissing). Is this normal? Will her meow return to normal? Please help -- thanks.


Answer by KAte
Hi sounds to me like she may be a little put out and perhaps this is why she has stopped meowing.

i don't know how you introduced the two cats to each other but it may be worth taken them through a period of introduction to allow them to get to know each other in a safe environment. the process is described here

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/introducing-cats.html

I wouldn't worry too much at this point, she may just need some time. As long as she is still eating as normal i think this may be a temporary behavior issue.

i also have a page about cat meows which you may also find of interest here

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-meowing.html

best wishes Kate

older cat wont eat dry food

by Robyn
(neeses, sc)

all of a sudden my 16 yr old cat wont eat her dry food, and wants only canned food, thinking could be her teeth but she does eat kitty snacks, and seems to urinate alot because have to clean her cat box more often. thank you robyn.

Reply
Hi at 16 year old she could be suffering from all sorts of possible illness and age related problems such as teeth problems. But the over urinating could be a sign of feline diabetes. please see this page for more on this here

feline-diabetes.html

To be honest with you, due to her age and this recent change in eating habit and urination your best option is to take her to see a vet as soon as possible.

best wishes kate

Old Cat, lots of problems, but seems happy.

by Stacey
(Beaver Dam, WI)

My cat is 14 years old, she has had severly bad breath for many, many years. Her gums are definetly red and swollen. And I'm sure they itch and bug her also. She also has an obsession with drinking cold water straight from the tap. She will drink out of a bowl, but not very often. She recently lost her upper canine tooth. I found it while sweeping. She has also had a gargly type of breathing sound for many years. Always sounds like she has extra flem in her thoat. I thought at first maybe she was having problems from the smoke at my moms house, but now that we have moved her to our house, where we don't smoke, she doesn't seem to be any better. She eats her dry food, doesn't really chew it, more or less swallows it whole. She doesn't like wet food very much. She throws up occasionally, probably at least once a month, and it's usually just stomach fluid, not food. I try to stay on top of giving her hairball medicine which seems to help with the throwing up. At least for awhile. She als has lots of dandruff and has always had it. Besides these issues, she really seems very happy, and energetic for her age. She has her spurts of energy where she will take off across the house like a little kitten again. I know if she were to get dental work done she would need to go under anesthetic and I'm terrified that I will be hurting her more by putting her though this, then letting her live out the rest of her days with the problems she has had for so long. What should I do?

Answer from Kate
Hi
Yes she definitely needs to see a vet and for you to get some advice about her teeth. It is not good for her not to be chewing hew food and this could lead to other problems.

the vet may be able to do some basic dental work without using anesthetic he may also be able to give your cat some medication in case she has some abscesses in her mouth due to the recent loss of her tooth.

She must be in some discomfort and she deserves to spend her twilight years in comfort. I had a cat who was 17 and she had a operation when she was 16 and she was totally fine, so don't be afraid of an operation for your cat. Your vet should be able to advise you on the best course of action for your cat.

i hope she is better soon

best wishes Kate

16 yr. old female cat vomits at least 3 times a day after eating or drinking water.

by Adriana C. Wilson
(Las Vegas, NV. )

i love my cat, dollie dearly, but for sometime now she will eat and/or drink and sometimes neither and she will vomit 3 to 4 times a day, especially, AFTER eating dry food. i have bought expensive to the cheapest of dry foods. she does on occasion keep wet food down,although, when she does vomit the dry food it will come up whole and it will be anywhere from 5 minutes to half an hour after she has eaten but the food still comes up unchewed or digested. she has lost weight but still is active but her stool comes out soft, runny and has a fowl smell. she will not cover her stool when using clean litter box, cleaned ones or somewhat used ones and at times she will do it right outside the litter box even when it has fresh litter n no odors, or anything in it. my financial situations are not able to take her to any vet, i have called around n told them my situation, but they all say the same thing that i need to take her for tests, blood work, etc. also, there are times where she will vomit hairballs and foamy liquid. she is not dehydrated or in pain, yet she seeems to gain weight and still looks too skinny although, she has always been a lean, slender cat, it saddens me to see her not being able to keep her food down. i hope you are able to help me with a few suggestions that may be helpful. she still has alot of spunk in her and doesnt show ANY signs of having to be put down or giving up on life. she is spoiled n set in her ways, but she is family and we adore her, she is QUEEN OF THE HOUSEHOLD when it comes to the other cats and two dogs we have, and she lets them know this, 100%, lol!!! My thanks and graditude to you for providing this site, for pet owners looking for answers to questions without the financial burden.

Answer from Kate
well of course your cat should see vet as you know so all i can do is make a suggestion to try but at the end of the day if there is a medical condition affecting her then no matter what you do will not help her.

She may be a the sort of cat who does not chew her food properly and this causes her to vomit. I used to have a cat who did the same. In the end we solved the problem by giving her much smaller meals but more regularly. This prevented her from eating to much without chewing and so causing sickness and also she became used to getting food regularly and so this also helped to calm her down and eat and chew her food.

the other option is that she may be suffering from hairballs which can cause this frequent vomiting too. please see my page here about hairballs for more on this

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/hairballs.html

I hope you can find a solution for her.

best wishes Kate

18 month old indoor cat stalking

by Mindy
(Southbridge, MA, USA)

Hi Kate,

our 18 month old cat goes through periods of stalking. When it first starts, he moves his head rapidly looking in every direction and runs around the house, usually against a wall or other objects. This lasts for an hour or so and he slows down some. We can't get him interested in anything else during this period. I found him in the road when he was 4 weeks old and he has been neutered.

Thanks for your help,

Mindy

Answer by Kate
Hi Mindy
I'm not sure what the problem is here. This stalking behavior is a natural instinct that cats have. My own two cats do this too, they seem to be stalking something i can't see. i think cats have a great imagination too and and i think they can go through periods where they imagine prey.

As long as there are no other symptoms I would treat it as just a game they play and not worry about it.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-hunting.html

best wishes Kate

Old cat howls more

by Glen Handley
(Gravesend Kent UK)

Hi, We have a black cat that we have had for 17 years. He was a twin, and both have been togeather all thier lives. His brother recently sadly died. He is very deaf but otherwise very healthy, But! he has now started to go out into our garden and howel very loudly, he has never done this before, is it something to do with his deafness,or is he calling for his brother maybe?

Thanks, Glen Handley


Answer by Kate
Hi likely to be both i think at this time. Cats do go through a period of grief, please see this page for more information regarding this

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-grief.html

Also cats can react to a disability like this as they get older by meowing a lot more. I also have a page about senior cat behaviors etc which you may also find of further help here

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/senior-cat.html

best wishes Kate

Older Cat has changed since we got kitten

We have a 2 year old female cat and a 3 month old female kitten. My cat was terrified of the kitten at first but now they seem to get on, they sleep beside each other on my bed, eat beside each other and chase each other about the house playing.
The problem is, my cat was very affectionate before we got the kitten and would always curl up beside me on the sofa and sleep on my bed. Now we have the kitten though she hasn't curled up beside me once n only sleeps on my bed through the day. She is still affectionate if I go to her but why has she stopped coming to me? I feel like I've broken a bond between us, I miss her :-(

Reply
Hi
sad to say that a cats behavior can change a lot throughout their lives.

I have two brother cats who i have had since they were 4 months old and i can tell you that they have changed their behaviors more times than i can count. It is simply about growing up and just like humans we all change the way we are with each other, it doesn't mean we love each other less.

This of your 2 year old as a young teenager now. A teenagers behavior is very different from a young child ie less likely to hold hands etc. Its the same with cats.

You have done nothing wrong and i doubt very much that your bond has been broken. Your cat is simply going through a different stage in her life.

best wishes kate

Old cat stopped taking care of herself

by Ellen
(Kentucky)

My cat is 13 years old. She has a history of bladder stones. For the past few months, she has taken up to peeing on everything. she does not have a urinary tract infection. She has stoppec cleaning herself - we gave her a bath and she never even licked the water off of herself. She still eats and drinks as normal.

She destroyed our sofa. We can not have any bathmats or towels or clothes within her reach. We had to throw out the sofa and we sit in the living room on camp chairs.

Now she has taken up peeing on the bathroom floor. Every day.

We are in the process of buying a house and this is so stressful. Every penny we have is tied up. I do not know what to do. I can't just take ehr to the vet again and drop another $300 on her for them to tell me she is fine.

I have a small child (his bedroom is a loft) - we have to raise the mattress up every day so she can not get on it (and neither can he). We are uncomfortable in our own home. Everything smells and is covered in cat pee.

Tell me what to do.

Reply
Hi
Firstly how do you know she does not have UTi?

i say this because the fact that she is peeing everywhere and is also not grooming could be a definite sign that your cat is feeling unwell.

Peeing everywhere may be a sign that she is feeling unwell and anxious about something. So this could mean that something else could be making her feel anxious, the moving of the home could be it.

please read this page about some of the causes of cat urination and how to try and help your cat through this upheaval.

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-urine.html

Kate

16 yr old persian has broken one top canine tooth off at the gum line

by Cyndi
(Las Vegas)

My 16 year old kitty was acting weird tonight, has been losing alot of weight in the last two weeks and now I notice that one of the top canine teeth is broken off at the gum line and the other top one is missing completely (no sign of infection on the missing tooth that I can tell). I know that he's old, but do you think the teeth are breaking/falling out just because of age?

Reply
Hi
yes it is more than likely due to age. When ever we take our cats to the vets they always do a teeth check to make sure that their is not a build up of tarter etc which can cause gum disease etc. this may have been what has happened to your cat.

As your cats gets older it is worthwhile having them looked at by a vet at least once a year so that things like teeth health etc can be checked. it may be worth while doing that now for your cat before he losses more teeth.

best wishes kate

16 year old cat eating & drinking a lot-losing weight

by Marge
(Georgia)

My 16 year old cat weighs next too nothing. This has happened over the past few months. He eats a ton of wet food, and is always drinking water. He will sit by the water dish for a long time- we used to laugh thinking he fell asleep there. His hind legs seem to slide out from under him and he seems like his back end and legs hurt. He however has no problem jumping up and down from the coach. He has had a wonderful long life and I wonder at what point I need to make a decision about putting him down?

Answer by KAte
Hi
well it sounds to me like your cat may have something like a thyroid problem which would account for the excessive eating and rinking and loss of weight or it could be diabetes. Both these are treatable if caught in time. he really does need to see avet for a diagnosis before he completely wastes away.

I hope the vet can do something for him soon

best wishes Kate

16 yr old cat is sick

by marilyn pankoke
(lincoln, NE)

My 16 yr old part-manx female cat has been vomiting lately, unable to eat and keep it down and has lost alot of weight. She has also have a bad breath odor recently. Blood tests showed no kidney failure or liver failure but the protein count was very high. She appeared to have jauntice. They gave her fluids but stated she possibly has intestinal cancer which shows with a high protein count of 16 instead of normal 11.5. I want to provide a good life for my cat, but my question is - is she in pain if she does have cancer. Is she suffering with any pain trying to hang on. Should I put her down so her final day is with us and she dies with dignity and love. This is a hard decision. We want her here as long as possible, but living with these symptoms, is it fair to her? And could it just be flu symptoms and not cancer?

Answer by Kate
Hi
First don't be too hasty
Let the meds they have given her set in for a few days. Also are the vets going to test for cancer? I would want to know for sure before i made any final decisions.

As a cat loving family we have always said that as long as a cat is still eating and drinking and able to get around as normal and is in no obvious pain we would always give them every chance for life. If not then yes the kindest thing is to let them pass with dignity.

I think you need more answers from your vet before you can make any sort of decision. When we had to make the same decision for ourselves last year we spent ages talking through all the options and outcomes with our vet. he was very honest with us and in the end we knew what we had to do.

Any vet worth their salt will not let an animal suffer and so they should let you know if they think she is in pain. As they have not said this, all i can assume is that they think she is not. but as i say. get more answers from them and if more tests need to be done to check for cancer then i would have them done. theres nothing worth than having regrets i find.

I do feel for you at this time. i know how hard it can be, but you will do the right thing for your cat, either let her go or fight for her, either way, you will know when the time comes to make that decision which one is right.

god bless

bests wishes Kate

older cat who wants to be by herself

by Trina
(Oceanside, Ca)

my older cat eats and seems ok, except started going to one area in a certain bedroom and staying there, not wanting to interact with me or hang out near me. Could she have some seriously wrong even though she eats. Vet told me due to flea bites & having hairballs she may not feel her best and just doesn't want to be around anyone. What can you tell me about this kind of behavior.
Thank You

Answer by Kate

Hi well your vet is quite right, if she does have hairballs or flea bites she may be feeing under the weather and often cats will take themselves off to be on their own.

I am assuming that you took your cat to the vets to have her checked over and so your vet has probably given you something for her hairballs etc.

i do have a web page about them and their treatment which you may still be interested in here

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/hairballs.html

Hopefully once she is feeling better she will come out of hiding and want to be with you all again.

best wishes Kate

16 year old cat Fluid in Chest

HI, our beloved 16 year old cat recently hasnt been eating much and had difficulty breathing. We brought him to the vet for bloodwork and exray. The exray showed fluid in the chest and the bloodwork was all normal. The vet recommended we have his chest tapped to remove fluid to ease breathing and have fluid tested. So far we spent 800 dollars and are praying its something curable that can be treated with medication. Well the tests the vet ran all came back negative and he now advised an ultrasound to test for heart disease or cancer. I believe his symptoms are definately indicative of heart disesase. My question to you is if it is heart disease, is it curable? are there medication to help my 16year old otherwise healthy cat live longer? I dont mind spending the $ to save my cats life but if it wont save him then im just prolonging the inevitable. Please help, he is my best friend!!!

Thanks,
Diana

Answer from KAte
Hi
I am not a vet and so cannot say what up to date treatments they have for heart disease. However i am sure there are treatments.

The question you have to ask yourself is, will the treatment cause the cat much distress and how much longer is it likely to give her? The vet should be honest with you and give you clear answers to this.

i had a 17 year old cat who i had to put to sleep because she broke her leg. they wanted to amputate and i had to make the decision that this would cause her too much distress at her age. She also had a heart murmer which didn't need treatment.

It can be a difficult decision to make and it is one only you can do as you know your cat best of all. It all comes down to what the treatment involves and whether or not the benefits out way the negatives.

I wish you all the best
Kate

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/feline-heart-disease.html

Older cat will not get along with new kittens after 6 weeks

by Bev
(Dayton, OH)

Will the older spayed female black cat ever get along with the two neutered male kittens? They are not brothers, but were put together when one of the kitten's brother and sister were adopted, but you would think that they are brothers because they are both black and the only difference is their eye color and they love one another and are always together. We have done everything our vet suggested when we adopted them. The two male kittens were isolated in their own room for one month. The female would go to the door are listen and sniff. We let them out while the female cat was closed in her room, she has a room to herself also, so the kittens could get their scent on things around the house. We bought them all little soft blankets, and then switched them, so they could smell each other's scents. Then we let the kittens out of their room, the female cat hissed and growled at them and hide under our bed. We put the kittens back in their room every night. This went on for one week. Now the female cat is finally coming out, but she still hisses and will not let the kittens come near her. We feed them at separate times. Our female cat is eight years old and she has not always been alone. We adopted her when she was a kitten and we had a six year old neutered male black cat, and the two of them got along OK. He became ill and had to be euthanized. She was not extremely upset after he was gone, but we had kept him isolated for one year, so she has been alone for two years. Yesterday she swatted one of the kittens when he got too close to her and she acts if she might bite too. We love cats and spoil them with everything. Both cat rooms have beds, hammocks, cat towers, water fountains, food bowls, large covered litter boxes, tunnels and toys galore. I am just an wondering if she will ever get along with the kittens.

Answer from Kate
Try putting the female cat into a cage or carrier where she can see out and then let the kittens in the room with her. This way they can be together without fear of fighting etc. Do this every day for a hour or so. You can also do it the other way round.

This method allows cats to become associated with other cats without the fear of attack and eventually they will some level of confidence with each other.

having said all this though some cats simply don't like other cats just lie us humans don't get along with every other human. And the best you can hope for is a sort of truce.

often hissing and swatting is a just bravado and is more about fer than anything else. Out right fighting is often the last thing the cats want, its all about warnings and saying hey i'm not afraid (even though they are).

Keep trying things should, fingers crossed calm down soon.

best wishes KAte

older cat suddenly wants to play

by Chloe
(England)

What does it mean when a older cat around 10 goes back to it's playful kitten stage? She is neutered and is usually outdoors, but she hasn't been a very playful cat really... Suddenly she is really playful now and it's as if we have another kitten in the house. She is our only cat but as i said, she is outside the majority of the time so she properly plays with other cats there. Please let me know. Thatnk you, x

Answer from Kate
Hi
i don't think it means anything particular. I had a cat who was 17 years old and every now and again she would chase and play with things around the home.

At the end of the day most of their play is generated from their instinct to hunt and this never leaves them. So it may just be that lately she has less to play with or hunt outside and so is looking for stimulation inside the house.

i wouldn't worry.

best wishes Kate

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-toys-play.html

16 year old cat

by Diana
(selden ny )

Although my cat hasnt been to vet in years, he seems pretty healthy. He is 13lbs and drinks lots of water and eats his food and uses his litterbox, he definately meows a lot now that he is older though!. We have had no major issues. But tonight i got home from work and on the living room floor was a poop. He has never done this before and now im worried. Should i take him to vet? should i move his litter box upstairs? his litter box is downstairs now and i fear it is getting harder for him to walk down the stairs to reach it in time. My cat is my best friend, Please help!

Answer by Kate

Hi
Don't worry too much yet it may simply be a behavioral issue. I think it is probably best that I suggest that you read this page first to get an idea of a possible cause

https://www.our-happy-cat.com/cat-poo.html

Keep an eye on him and see if it happens again before you consider that they may be a health reason.

If your cat has not been to the vets for years and now he is getting on , it may be a good idea to take him for a general check up anyway. The vet will want to look at his teeth to make sure there are no issues there etc for starters.

I think it is always better to be sure than to try guessing at things as it will only cause you worry that may be unnecessary.

Hope he is OK

best wishes Kate

---