My cat is so darn hard to figure out sometimes. Lately he seems to have less energy; he didn't have a lot before, due to age and illness, but it seems like he's sleeping and laying down even more now. He doesn't appear to be in pain or throwing up more often or throwing up anything strange (he does vomit now and then, no more than any cat I've ever had that was healthy), he has been eating a bit better and more regularly since I switched him to pate cat food rather than chunky, but it's become harder for me to tell when he's actually hungry. Usually, he'll meow very loudly when I show him his food dish, but now sometimes I show him his dish and if he follows me, then I know he's wants food. He also still drinks - he's got three bowls full of fresh water at all times, and he uses the litter box normally too.
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He still purrs when I pet him - especially with his favorite brush, and he still likes to play. He's not exactly a live wire, but he'll throw himself and bat wildly at a string for a while. He seems comfortable when he's laying down - he curls up in a little ball with his back feet tucked under his chin, but he will stay in the same spot for hours. I mean it seems like a long time even for an older kitty. He also does still perk up when he sees my boyfriend, but not quite as much as he used to. And he'll still jump on things, so moving around is okay (his cat box is all the way in the basement, which he has no issues walking to and climbing in and out of). It just seems like either a lack of energy or being unhappy.
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I don't know if he's depressed or possibly just nearing the end of his life and slowly winding down, but I can't imagine he's feeling too awful if he's willing to play at all or purrs or eats. I do have the quality of life scale from Pawspice and he's definitely doing fine by their standards. Mobility, breathing, and hygiene are all good, hydration could be a bit better, probably (he's not DEhydrated, but more wouldn't hurt), food intake could be better as he is underweight (but I cannot force feed him). It's his mood that concerns me most, especially when I don't know how to improve it. Treats don't work if he's not interested in eating them, and petting only works if he's not grumpy and doesn't have a hissy fit if I touch him.
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I know a cat his age (he's at least 12 or 13, I'd say) is going to sleep a lot, but I wonder when sleep goes from normal to excessive? He does have his off days where he just doesn't give a crap about much and lays in the same spot all day long, and other days he's alright. Sometimes distance helps too - like when I'm gone all day, he's almost always waiting for me at the top of the stairs. When I come in from walking the dog, he's always waiting for me by the door. At night he might be moody, but the next day he might be scratching my door and meowing.
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Help with moody kitty? I don't know what - if anything - I should do. It always scares the crap out of me when he has his off days because I worry he's dying and then I end up constantly bothering him to make sure he's okay, which makes him grumpy and tired.
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He still purrs when I pet him - especially with his favorite brush, and he still likes to play. He's not exactly a live wire, but he'll throw himself and bat wildly at a string for a while. He seems comfortable when he's laying down - he curls up in a little ball with his back feet tucked under his chin, but he will stay in the same spot for hours. I mean it seems like a long time even for an older kitty. He also does still perk up when he sees my boyfriend, but not quite as much as he used to. And he'll still jump on things, so moving around is okay (his cat box is all the way in the basement, which he has no issues walking to and climbing in and out of). It just seems like either a lack of energy or being unhappy.
.
I don't know if he's depressed or possibly just nearing the end of his life and slowly winding down, but I can't imagine he's feeling too awful if he's willing to play at all or purrs or eats. I do have the quality of life scale from Pawspice and he's definitely doing fine by their standards. Mobility, breathing, and hygiene are all good, hydration could be a bit better, probably (he's not DEhydrated, but more wouldn't hurt), food intake could be better as he is underweight (but I cannot force feed him). It's his mood that concerns me most, especially when I don't know how to improve it. Treats don't work if he's not interested in eating them, and petting only works if he's not grumpy and doesn't have a hissy fit if I touch him.
.
I know a cat his age (he's at least 12 or 13, I'd say) is going to sleep a lot, but I wonder when sleep goes from normal to excessive? He does have his off days where he just doesn't give a crap about much and lays in the same spot all day long, and other days he's alright. Sometimes distance helps too - like when I'm gone all day, he's almost always waiting for me at the top of the stairs. When I come in from walking the dog, he's always waiting for me by the door. At night he might be moody, but the next day he might be scratching my door and meowing.
.
Help with moody kitty? I don't know what - if anything - I should do. It always scares the crap out of me when he has his off days because I worry he's dying and then I end up constantly bothering him to make sure he's okay, which makes him grumpy and tired.
