Last Updated: 11/08/2026
Cat Dementia: Signs, Symptoms and Stages
Has your older cat started yowling at night, getting lost in familiar rooms, or forgetting the litter box? They could be showing signs of feline cognitive dysfunction - a condition that affects a significant number of cats as they age. Here's how to recognise it.
Author: Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Reading Time: 5 minutes - short read
Watching a beloved cat grow older is a privilege, but it can come with some confronting changes. If your senior cat seems confused in familiar surroundings, has dramatically shifted their sleeping patterns, or has forgotten routines they've had for years - it might be more than just "slowing down."
Just like humans, cats can experience age-related neurological changes. In veterinary medicine, this is known as Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS), though most pet owners know it simply as cat dementia. It is more common than many people realise. For a broader guide to keeping your older cat healthy, see our guide to looking after a senior cat.
What are the signs of cat dementia?
Vets use the acronym VISHDAAL to track the classic signs of cognitive dysfunction. You can use this as a checklist at home to monitor your cat:
- Vocalisation: Aimless crying or howling, particularly at night.
- Interactions: Changes in social behaviour - some cats become velcro cats, overly clingy and demanding; others become withdrawn or grumpy.
- Sleep-Wake Cycle: The 'night owl' effect - sleeping through the day and pacing, vocalising, or seeming distressed through the night. This pattern of worsening confusion and agitation in the evening is called sundowning, a term borrowed from human dementia research. It can be one of the most distressing symptoms for owners to manage.
- House Soiling: Forgetting the litter box location or losing the urge to use it.
- Disorientation: Getting stuck in corners, staring at walls, or seeming lost in familiar rooms.
- Activity: Aimless wandering or pacing, or a significant drop in activity levels.
- Anxiety: Increased fearfulness or separation anxiety.
- Learning/Memory: Forgetting established routines like mealtimes or their name.
If your cat is showing sundowning behaviour specifically - nighttime vocalisation, pacing, or apparent confusion after dark - it's worth flagging this with your vet, as there are targeted management strategies that can help.
What are the stages of cat dementia?
Cognitive dysfunction tends to develop gradually, and the early signs are easy to miss. While there is no universal, standardised system for staging the disease, understanding the usual progression can help you recognise where your cat is on that journey and seek support at the right time.
Early stage Changes are subtle and easily attributed to normal ageing. A cat might occasionally seem mildly confused, stare into space, or show small shifts in their sleep routine or social behaviour. Most owners don't recognise it as CDS until they look back.
Middle stage Signs become more consistent and noticeable. Night-time vocalisation may begin or worsen, house soiling becomes more frequent, and sundowning behaviour typically starts to appear. Research shows around 28% of cats aged 11–14 years are affected by cognitive dysfunction, most commonly showing changes in social interactions.1
Late stage By 15 years and older, approximately 50% of cats show signs of CDS. Excessive vocalisation and aimless activity are the most common presentations at this stage. Disorientation is more marked and litter box use may become unreliable. Cats at this stage still benefit significantly from supportive care and management.
What causes cognitive dysfunction?
CDS is caused by age-related changes to the brain, including oxidative damage, reduced brain mass, accumulation of beta-amyloid protein (toxic to brain tissue), reduced blood flow, and dysfunctional neurons. These changes are similar in many ways to those seen in Alzheimer's disease in humans.
How is cat dementia diagnosed?
Cognitive dysfunction is a diagnosis of exclusion - your vet will first rule out other medical conditions that can cause similar signs. These include:
- Hyperthyroidism
- Arthritis
- Dental disease
- High blood pressure (often as a result of kidney disease)
- Cancer
- Vision or hearing loss
There's no single definitive test for CDS. Your vet will assess your cat's history and behavioural signs alongside blood and urine tests and blood pressure checks before arriving at a diagnosis. If CDS is confirmed, they may recommend specific medications or management strategies to help slow the decline.
How long do cats live with dementia?
There's no straightforward answer - CDS is a progressive condition, but the rate of decline varies significantly between individual cats. With good supportive care, many cats continue to enjoy a good quality of life for months to years after diagnosis. Early recognition and management can make a meaningful difference to how the condition progresses.
For everything you can do to help at home - from environmental adjustments to supplements and medication - see our guide to managing cat dementia.
FAQs
References
Landsberg, G., Nichol, J. & Araujo, J. A. (2012). 'Cognitive dysfunction syndrome: a disease of canine and feline brain aging.' Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 42(4), 749–768.
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History
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Wed 12 Aug 2026
Edited by Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)Dr Gillian Hill BVSc (Hons)
Veterinarian
Dr. Gillian graduated from the University of Sydney in 2005 with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science. She worked in a number of small animal clinics, before joining the Pet Circle Vet team in 2020. Dr. Gillian has special interests in ultrasonography, surgery and behaviour. Her favourite part of being a vet is being an advocate for the animals. She loves helping owners to make the best, evidence-based decisions for their pets, and seeing the beautiful bond that people have with their fur-babies.
