Animal Doctor

Cat Is Not Young, but Is Extremely Restless

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Thursday, February 5, 2009

Dear Dr. Fox:

We have a wonderful 8-year-old American shorthair tabby, but she has been giving us some trouble for a few months. She comes up to the bedroom door, usually between 4 and 5 a.m., crying and scratching. She is not hungry and does not exhibit any signs of something being amiss.

I value my sleep and would like to try some behavior modification, but I'm not sure what to do. If I do get up and leave the bedroom, she is fine and will be quiet, but that's not the answer for me. She gets moist cat food (she doesn't touch dry), has a cat tree and free roam of the house day and night, with the exception of the bedroom. Do you have any suggestions for making this stop?

R.G.

Pasadena

Your cat is relatively young to be suffering from what her behavior seems to be indicating, namely senile dementia/nocturnal dysphoria or early onset of Alzheimer's disease (yes, cats get it, too).

A full veterinary checkup is called for to determine what else could be making her restless at night. Maybe all she needs is a warm heat pad or lamp and an evening's massage, because she might have arthritis. A teaspoon of cod liver oil in her food every day may help with this.

Behavioral changes associated with hyperthyroidism can include restlessness, irritability and an increased appetite (which your cat does not have). It would be wise to have the vet rule this out, as well.

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