Lifespan of a Cat Diagnosed With Dementia

Elderly cats can show behavioral changes that are sometimes referred to as dementia, or cognitive dysfunction disorder. In 2006, studies conducted at universities in Europe and the U.S. found that some cats actually do suffer from a form of Alzheimer's disease similar to that of humans.

  1. Lifespan

    • Dementia itself does not affect the lifespan of a cat. Healthy cats can live to be in their 20s, even with dementia. However, once a cat has reached the age where it is suffering dementia, it also is vulnerable to kidney disease, cancer, liver disease and other feline "old age" maladies.

    Dementia in Aging Cats

    • Some cats over the age of 11 can begin showing signs of cognitive dysfunction, and by age 15 the risk is about 50 percent. Nearly all cats that live to the age of 20 or more will show signs of dementia.

    Symptoms of Dementia

    • A cat with dementia might vocalize more often or louder than before, due to confusion or distress. Confusion can also lead to potty accidents outside the litterbox, or an inability to find the litterbox. The cat might forget where its food bowl is, or how to get around the house.

    Personality Changes

    • If your cat has dementia, you might notice that it acts a little differently than it used to; how this manifests depends on the cat. A cat might be more aggressive, or it might become more clingy and anxious. Some cats just seem to withdraw from the family.

    Other Causes of Dementia

    • Although age-related dementia is common, your vet might want to rule out other possibilities, especially if the cat is young. Causes such as brain tumors, diseases and neurological problems could, in fact, shorten your cat's lifespan if not treated.

    Veterinary Care

    • While dementia is not life-threatening, your cat will need regular vet care. If the cat is not old enough to have age-related symptoms, other problems will need to be ruled out. If it is age-related, there are still behavioral drugs and pheromone therapies that your veterinarian might use to mitigate some of the symptoms and help make your cat more comfortable.