Unusual Behavior
Unusual Behavior
Over the past couple of months my 15 year old cat has begun acting very strange. Between 4-7 AM, every morning I might add, she will be in my room and starts crying and scratching my computer tower and my entertainment center. She will also knock things over. So I let her into the garage, where she eats. Five minutes later, she scratches to get back out, so my mom or dad lets her out, since the door to the garage is in their room. Then she comes back to my room and it starts all over again. This is really driving me crazy, I'm not getting good sleep because of it. I love my cat dearly but I don't know what to do anymore. If I close my bedroom door she just scratches that. I try to ignore it but it's hard to ignore continuous cat scratching and crying. I'm starting to think maybe she wants to go outside but I am hesitant to let her out since we have had coyotes killing cats in my neighborhood in the early morning hours. Sooner or later she will just stop and hop on to the bed with me, but only after she has been going through her usual routine for a good hour or so, at least. I was thinking maybe she is just senile but I am hoping to get some feedback from all of you. Thank you very much for your time.
Re: Unusual Behavior
When was her last vet check-up? If you haven't had her fully evaluated by your vet within the last 6 months, now is the time to do so. Make the appointment right away and get a full geriartric blood profile done to rule out underlying health issues. (please include urinalysis and thyroid function testing as well)
As for the night time behavior, she could be developing a loss of sight or hearing...when older cats lose these senses, they tend to vocalize as a method of self-comfort or as a method of getting your attention, because they are disoriented, confused, frightened, hungry, need attention.
Has her eating/drinking/ increased or decreased? Is she having normal urination and bowel function? Has she lost weight or developed any other obvious signs of health changes? If so, don't wait, get her seen by your vet promptly.
As for the night time behavior, she could be developing a loss of sight or hearing...when older cats lose these senses, they tend to vocalize as a method of self-comfort or as a method of getting your attention, because they are disoriented, confused, frightened, hungry, need attention.
Has her eating/drinking/ increased or decreased? Is she having normal urination and bowel function? Has she lost weight or developed any other obvious signs of health changes? If so, don't wait, get her seen by your vet promptly.
..........Traci