Title: Older Cats with Behavior Problems | ASPCA
Headings: Older Cats with Behavior Problems
Older Cats with Behavior Problems
The Effects of Aging
Cognitive Dysfunction Checklist
Ruling Out Other Causes for Your Cat’s Behavior
Treating Cognitive Dysfunction
House Soiling
Confusion and Disorientation
Restlessness and Waking at Night
Excessive Vocalization
Help the ASPCA Put a Stop to Animal Cruelty

Content: At the same time, try to reestablish your cat’s normal sleeping and waking hours. It’s best to increase her activity level by engaging her in play during the day and in the evening so she’ll want to sleep at night. Anxiety can also cause increased restlessness at night. A distinct feature of geriatric anxiety is that it can manifest as nighttime anxiety. It may be anxiety about being separated from family members (who are asleep) or worry about navigating the house in the dark. Your cat may keep you awake by calling, pacing in your room, purring by your head and by pawing at you for attention. FCD anxiety can improve with drug therapy. You can also consult a Certified Applied Animal Behaviorist (CAAB or ACAAB) and your veterinarian, or a veterinary behaviorist (Diplomate of the American College of Veterinary Behavior, Dip ACVB) to see if medication may be helpful. Please see our article, Finding Professional Behavior Help, to locate a professional behaviorist in your area. Excessive Vocalization
Older cats may vocalize excessively for a number of reasons, including disorientation, loss of hearing and pain due to one or more medical conditions. (