Place additional litter boxes where they’re easy to find and easy to … Less interested in petting, interactions, greeting people or familiar pets, etc. The severity of your cat's symptoms will increase during the last stages of your pet's life. Use litter boxes with low sides. If you want to buy your elderly cat his own cat bed or basket choose one large enough that he does not have to curl up tightly; older cats are less supple and less able to fit themselves into small cat beds. Your cat may also become resistant or sensitive to medications. While it can be easy to dismiss changes in your cat's behaviour as a normal part of getting old, many conditions are treatable - and getting help from your vet could improve the quality and extend your cat's life. For instance, cats who sleep more during the day can become more restless and active at night. Hypoglycemia, or a decreased sugar level in the blood is … Cat: head down..when I pet him he purrs and everything..isnt acting - Answered by a verified Cat Veterinarian. You can also seek advice from 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). As a cat with CRF moves towards death, it will require more frequent fluids, blood tests, and nursing care. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If a cat stops eating they get a disease called Hepatic Lipidosis which is a liver disease. Please see our article, Behavioral Medications for Cats for more information. A distinct feature of geriatric anxiety is that it can manifest as nighttime anxiety. These include: A sunken or vacant appearance to the eyes, Little movement, or sometimes agitation and restlessness. Feline chronic renal failure (CRF) is another common disease in aging cats. Infections can become more frequent, and your cat's recovery may only be partial during its last stages. Vestibular syndrome is a condition that occurs suddenly. Don’t assume that your cat is “just getting old” and nothing can be done to help her. Ask your cat’s veterinarian to do a complete examination to identify medical problems that could cause restlessness, discomfort or an increased need to eliminate. Often these effects can contribute to behavior changes that only look like cognitive decline. The treatment of any underlying diseases or conditions will become more complex and offer less satisfying results. Place at least one litter box on every floor of your house in case your cat is having trouble going up or down stairs. Make sure to communicate with your veterinarian about your senior cat's behavior, symptoms, and response to any treatments. Your veterinary visits will increase dramatically. The Feline CRF Information Center specifies this disease is progressive and terminal but partly manageable in the early stages. Cats who are sleeping with their face down, this is normal cat behavior. Make sure you keep the existing boxes in their same places, but put new boxes in obvious areas so that your cat can always find an appropriate place to eliminate. The reason I bring this up is because I had an elderly male cat, age 20-21, that had the same symptoms and it turned out to be an issue with his spine and arthritis, which he somehow aggravated by jumping down off of … Make sure your windows have strong screens and never leave them open when you're not at home. Accordingly, the first step in treating inappropriate elimination in any cat, regardless of age, is to take her to her veterinarian for a thorough examination. What would cause instances of trembling and walking with head down slowly a couple a times a day with symptoms disappearing rapidly in a dog. Hello Everyone, Two days ago, on Friday evening, my husband and I went out for dinner leaving our 4 yr old cat Simba in the house. The Home to Heaven pet hospice service lists several signs that indicate a cat may be within a few days to a few hours of death. All rights reserved. The expense of treating chronic kidney disease alone may prompt pet owners to put their animals down, as there is no hope of recovery. It can cause your cat to stumble, … Your dog might be suffering from intermittent pain, this can be typical for pancreatitis for example, I recommend you take him to the vet to get it checked … © 2005 - 2019 WebMD LLC. WebMD Veterinary Reference from the ASPCA, By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Coronavirus in Context: Interviews With Experts, Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Ruling Out Other Causes for Your Cat's Behavior, Old Dog Health Q&A: Health and Dietary Concerns in Aging Dogs, Cat Communication: What Your Cat's Body Language Says, Eliminates in sleeping areas or by eating areas, Sometimes seems unable to recognize familiar people and pets, Stares or fixates on objects or simply stares into space, Gets stuck and can’t navigate around or over obstacles. It was about 7pm, he seemed fine and normal. If your vet has prescribed medications that affect your cat … There may be addiction problems with certain drugs, and side-effects from two drugs counteracting each other. Cats affected by vestibular disease tend fall to one side, tilt their heads, and experience unintentional eye movement. The cat stumbled off the couch and tried to walk a little and laid down. Older Cat Won't Eat. Ask about how to monitor your cat's quality of life before she gets to the end of her life so you can make the most humane decisions for her care. The vestibular apparatus controls balance, and if your cat is unable to hold her head up, it may be related to a problem with the nerves affecting the vestibular system. Cats dying of infections could exhibit a foul odor, open sores, profuse nasal and ocular discharge, labored breathing, or lethargy. At the same time, try to reestablish your cat’s normal sleeping and waking hours. Any number of medical problems can contribute to inappropriate elimination, including sensory decline, neuromuscular conditions that affect mobility, brain tumors, kidney dysfunction and endocrine system disorders. Sensory changes, such as eyesight or hearing loss, can affect your cat’s depth of sleep. For a description of the different anti-anxiety medications used to help cats, please see our article, Behavioral Medications for Cats. Disorientation is often the first sign that pet parents recognize as cognitive decline in their older cats. It’s helpful to know why your cat is shaking, so that you act in a timely manner in your pet’s advantage. You can gauge how scared or anxious your cat is by how flat her ears are (more flat = more scared). Even cats without a significant disease will eventually experience lowered immunity with aging. The University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine points out feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common form of cardiac disease in cats. A cat shake may be a symptom of a medical condition or hypothermia which may have severe consequences, so shaking shouldn’t be ignored. And it’s not just cat owners who struggle with this question, those of us who have studied these creatures for years still frequently miss signs of feline pain. Because when it comes to showing signs of pain (or … His head is down all the time (with his chin on his chest) and try as we might, we can't get him to lift it. This is to mean that cat head shaking should not be ignored. I took him to vet and on way, noticed eyes darting side to side. Even a jump from a high bookshelf can injure an elderly (or a very small) cat, so be aware of how much access she has to high perches. When your cat is aging, you may find: There are many common age-related diseases of cats: Unsurprisingly, many of these conditions ultimately become the condition which results in the death of senior cats. If you have a multi-cat home, keep in mind that the volume of food offered should not exceed the total calorie requirements for all … It’s estimated that cognitive decline-referred to as feline cognitive dysfunction, or FCD-affects more than 55% of cats aged 11 to 15 years and more than 80% of cats aged 16 to 20 years. If medical problems are ruled out, and if primary behavior problems unrelated to aging are ruled out (for example, problems that started years before your cat began aging), your cat’s behavior may be attributed to the effects of aging on the brain. If she’s really distressed, it may be best to confine her to a relatively small space, such as one floor of your house or, in advanced cases, one room. Avoid changes to her food, food placement, litter and litter box placement. In fact, it’s the most common reason that older cats are seen by behaviorists. Please see our article, Pet Pheromones, for more information about pheromones and how they work. Hyperthyroidism is a common condition in older cats, and if her thyroid gland is swollen and/or contains a tumor, this can cause swelling on the … These types of diseases are more common during the feline geriatric years. This article will give you a rundown of common causes of head shaking in cats along with the treatment approaches typically used for … My 13 year old flew out at me from a hiding spot, fell, holding head to one side. The exact signs a cat may show when approaching death can often depend upon the type of sickness. Maybe it's thundering out and the startling and loud sounds are really getting to her. Your cat may develop complications from these treatments. If cognitive dysfunction is the only logical explanation for changes in your cat’s behavior, the next step is to seek therapy. If the prognosis is poor or gave and your cat's quality of life is declining, euthanasia may be suggested. This type of heart disease can lead to death, but in some cases, the medications required to treat this disease can also worsen other medical conditions. ... we encountered Feral Cat Foundation who was holding their weekly cat adoptions outside a local pet store. When done properly and only when necessary, scruffing a cat (holding a cat by its scruff) is an effective method of restraint, although it may look uncomfortable or even painful to the cat. Recognizing the signs a cat is dying of old age can help you make the best choice for your pet. In short, any disorder that increases your cat’s frequency of elimination or decreases her bladder or bowel control can cause house soiling. Symptoms of middle and inner ear infections vary depending on exactly what part of the ear is involved and whether one or both ears are affected, but owners may notice head shaking, rubbing at the ears, a head tilt, decreased appetite, lethargy, a drooping on one side of the face, squinting, a raised third … The following behaviors may indicate cognitive dysfunction in your senior cat: Sleep-Wake Cycles / Reversed Day-Night Schedule. Cats that are dying of heart disease may show labored breathing, rapid breathing, panting, restlessness and vocalization, or paralysis in the hind legs. Treatment mainly consists of making helpful changes to your cat’s environment and keeping her daily schedule consistent. Her ears will be turned back and lay down flat against her head. The cat might have a simple ear infection, but there's also a chance she might have suffered a head injury or developed a serious disorder. Your veterinarian may also consider an anti-anxiety medication. If your cat’s veterinarian rules out medical problems, the following suggestions may help: Please see our article, Litter Box Problems, for additional suggestions and detailed information about resolving litter-box issues. Why wasn't this page useful? If your cat shows any of the symptoms or changes listed above, your first step is to take her to the veterinarian to determine whether there is a specific medical cause for her behavior. When a cat ages, a greater burden is placed upon its internal organs. It’s estimated that disorientation occurs in at least 40% of cats aged 17 years and older. If you do try combination feeding, consider using a food puzzle so your cat feels challenged by playing with them snacks. Arthritis is another issue that can cause cat … Most elderly cats find beanbag beds comfortable as the polystyrene beans retain heat and support a rickety body or … It sounds like such a simple question, but the answer is actually far more complicated than we think. Your senior cat’s vocalizing can become a problem if she does it too often or at inappropriate times, like when you’re sleeping. Cats dying of renal failure may show extreme weakness, weight loss, lethargy progressing to being unresponsive, painful ulcers in the mouth, or seizures. Pheromone or drug therapy may help your cat feel less anxious. Increase the number of litter boxes available to your cat. The University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine points out feline … They will press their head up against something, unrelaxed. The court heard in August, 2016, Sawyer walked down a road in Urangan "swinging" the "little elderly ragdoll cat" by its tail with one hand and holding a milk bottle filled with wine in the other. Her eyes are moving sided to side and her head shakes a little. It’s better to treat increased vocalization by increasing your cat’s activity during the day and gradually reestablishing her proper sleep-wake cycle. Place at least one litter box on every floor of your house in case your cat is having trouble going up or down stairs. As his appetite decreases, he will begin to lose weight and it may be difficult to get him to gain … You may see this position if your cat is being harassed by a neighborhood cat outside the window or if a submissive cat is being bullied by a more dominant cat in a multi-cat … Most probably pain. This drug is currently only licensed for use in dogs with cognitive dysfunction, but some behaviorists and veterinarians have reported improvement in cats as well. It can increase their anxiety and tendency to react aggressively. However, it will be the frequency and severity of these conditions that determine your cat's overall state. Watch out for ear infections When an ear infection is the cause of your cat being disoriented and walking in circles, it also makes him appear wobbly and off-kilter. Feline vestibular syndrome is a condition that affects the nervous system and causes a lack of coordination in cats. It may be anxiety about being separated from family members (who are asleep) or worry about navigating the house in the dark. When the cat starves itself the liver starts pulling fat in to convert to energy, but because cats liver cannot output the fats energy as fast as it is pulling it in, the cats liver ends up getting … A cat might tilt their head down on the affected side and show pain when the ear is touched. Cats experiencing FCD may forget the location of their litter box. Memory, ability to learn, awareness, and sight and hearing perception can all deteriorate in cats affected with FCD. The symptoms of aging and death are similar. Toxins. Doing this will make it easy for her to find everything she needs. Dry food, meanwhile, is better for a cat's teeth and is easier to store. The loose skin around a cat's neck is called the scruff. Siouxsie: What you need to do, Dal, is take your cat to the vet for a full checkup in order to make sure she’s not suffering from hyperthyroidism or any other diseases that elderly cats tend to get. This deterioration can cause disturbances in sleeping patterns, disorientation or reduced activity. A hunched over cat will sit with all four feet on the ground, which is a typical position for a cat, however, instead of having his head up, being alert to his surroundings, the head will usually be bent forward and the shoulders rounded. It can also change their social relationships with you and with other pets in your home. Many changes in behavior are signs of treatable medical disorders, and there are a variety of therapies that can comfort your cat and ease her symptoms, including any pain she might be experiencing. Elderly cats and common health issues. If your cat is holding its head on an angle and having trouble keeping its balance, it may be suffering from vestibular syndrome. We use cookies to give you the best possible experience on our website. Head tilting is one of the most shocking symptoms to witness in your cat, especially if she's also falling or tipping over. One of the most deadly diseases or conditions which afflicts felines is cat kidney disease.This condition is relatively common amongst older cats. Came home about 4 hours later. It is not so much old age, but more typically the complications associated with failing organ systems, that kill a cat. This may be down to a mild tummy upset. He gently plows his head into mine messaging me he wants to lie next to me. Be sure to report all changes you see to your cat’s veterinarian. It's possible that she has osteoporosis, which weakens the skeletal structure and causes kyphosis...and she can no longer hold her head up straight Because some cases are serious, however, you'll need to see your vet right away. The poor thing doesn't know what to do with herself and can't seem to relax. There is a right way and a wrong way to hold a cat by the scruff. Antibiotic resistance and secondary infections are quite common and can inhibit recovery. 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. An increased need to eliminate combined with a decreased ability to locate or access a litter box can prompt your cat to wake up and wander around. There are also some medicines that may help cats with FCD, such as selegiline hydrochloride (brand name Anipryl®). If your cat’s veterinarian rules out medical problems, the following suggestions may help: Increase the number of litter boxes available to your cat. Any medical or degenerative illness that causes pain, discomfort or decreased mobility-such as arthritis, dental disease, thyroid dysfunction, cancer, impaired sight or hearing, or urinary tract disease-can lead to increased sensitivity and irritability, increased anxiety about being touched or approached, increased aggression (because your cat may choose to threaten and bite rather than move away), decreased responsiveness to your voice, reduced ability to adapt to change, and reduced ability to get to usual elimination areas. Anxious vocalizing is usually a plaintive meow. I cuddle him, hold him, embrace his frail, skeletal body. My male cat had to be put down ysterday. He's come off all medication (except sleeping tablets) now so I don't think it's the medicine that's causing it but it's just really bizarre that it's only happened since he went into the hospital. Anxiety can also cause increased restlessness at night. Pet owners should always be on the watch for these slight changes in your cat’s … He couldn’t walk at all. Understanding the changes your cat is undergoing can help you compassionately and effectively deal with behavior problems that may arise in her senior years. Needs constant contact, becomes overdependent and clingy, Explores less and responds less to things going on around her, Vocalizes more and/or in a more urgent tone, Sleeps restlessly, wakes up during the night. My fiancé and I … Many older cats have trouble or experience pain when attempting to get in or out of a litter box with high sides. Your cat may keep you awake by calling, pacing in your room, purring by your head and by pawing at you for attention. As they age, cats often suffer a decline in functioning, including their cognitive functioning. Inappropriate elimination is a common symptom of FCD. 1. Place additional litter boxes where they’re easy to find and easy to get into. Anti-anxiety medication can also help reduce vocalizations. Is your ageing cat beginning to 'slow down'? You don’t want your cat to end up developing a hematoma in the ear from excess scratching, or worse still losing her hearing. Your vet likely will give you the option of holding your cat or being with … By continuing to use this site you consent to the use of cookies on your device as described in our cookie policy unless you … Old age is not so much the killer as are the complications that arise during your cat's last years. © 2006-2021 LoveToKnow, Corp., except where otherwise noted. Showing your own frustration or punishing your cat for vocalizing can increase her anxiety and aggravate the problem. A cat’s sleep-wake cycle can be impaired by FCD. The side effects from certain medications, such as those for anxiety in cats, can result in vomiting, diarrhea and seizures, as well as neurological difficulties. The good news is most head tilting is associated with easily treatable ear infections. Geriatric cats can die from several types of medical conditions.The exact signs a cat may show when approaching death can often depend upon the type of sickness.. Heart Disease. Perhaps she's looking out the window … Question: my cat keeps shaking her head an appears to be unstable on her legs.. My cat was fine when we left. The most common sign of an infected ear canal is head-shaking and scratching at an itching ear. Physical Symptoms of a Dying Cat for Specific Diseases. 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. Your cat will become more susceptible to secondary infections. Once you’ve ruled out physical illness, you can make changes that will make her aging body more comfortable. An elderly cat's appetite comes and goes, and he may only eat when the food has a lot of water. Try to keep her daily routine as consistent as possible. You can use feline pheromone sprays or diffusers in areas where your cat normally spends her time. As with other symptoms of FCD, your first step should be to take your cat to her veterinarian for a thorough examination to rule out or treat any medical problems. Older cats may vocalize excessively for a number of reasons, including disorientation, loss of hearing and pain due to one or more medical conditions. FCD anxiety can improve with drug therapy. Your veterinarian can help guide you in making nutritional and lifestyle changes that may increase your cat's comfort during this time. Impaired recovery may also lead to future health problems and a further compromised system. We came home around 9:30pm and noticed his pupils dilated and he was favoring to his right side, his head was tilted towards the right. Weight loss, an unpleasant odor, and other symptoms of aging can indicate your cat may be approaching the end stage of its life, but the severity of the symptoms can help you determine how much time is left. A curious cat can easily jump out of an open window and fall. Some cats are just most comfortable like this. FCD generally increases vocalizations related to anxiety, disorientation and separation distress. Feline Diabetes Symptoms to Notice in Your Cat, University of Pennsylvania College of Veterinary Medicine, 12 Reasons for Hair Loss Around a Cat's Ears, Common Questions About Elderly Cat Behavior, Black History Month Printable Activities and Worksheets, 50 Free Virtual Tours of Unique and Famous Places. All Rights Reserved. Hypoglycemia. As your cat ages, his kidney begins to lose nephrons, which are the functional cells that operate within the kidneys and help them to continue their filtration and detoxification processes. If you catch your cat with her tail hanging down, it could be a sign that she's feeling rather nervous about something at the moment. Elderly cats need regular vet checkups, both to assess overall well-being and to identify and treat medical issues, even if that treatment is not curative but palliative, or a matter of providing physical comforts and pain-relieving medications, if called for. However, as with most symptoms of FCD, there are also many alternative reasons for increased nighttime activity. Disorientation may be reduced by increasing the predictability of your cat’s environment and schedule. Even with the wet canned food, he may not eat all the food and he will eat small portions throughout the day. Long-term or severe cat vomiting is a far bigger concern and if your cat keeps throwing up you should contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now pet emergency clinic , straight away. Some effects of aging aren’t related to cognitive dysfunction. Please help us improve. Some of these infections begin in the ear canal that contains an excessive amount of wax or foreign material. When it comes to head pressing, you will see your cat doing this against walls while sitting, and while awake. It can make cats forget previously learned habits they once knew well, such as the location of the litter box or their food bowls. Geriatric cats can die from several types of medical conditions. That will make it easy for her to find and easy to find everything needs! Dying of infections could exhibit a foul odor, open sores, profuse and! ” and nothing can be done to help her and schedule if a is. There may be suggested tendency to react aggressively is your ageing cat beginning to 'slow down ' kill a is. Feral cat Foundation who was holding their weekly cat adoptions outside a pet... Their anxiety and aggravate the problem disorientation or reduced activity she needs that disorientation occurs in at least litter! Their weekly cat adoptions outside a local pet store ages, a greater burden is placed its. When you 're not at home try combination feeding, consider using a food puzzle so your cat by! Cats, please see our article, Behavioral medications for cats keeping its balance, it may be about... Disease is progressive and terminal but partly manageable in the dark by playing with them snacks small portions throughout day... Understanding the changes your cat 's last years frail, skeletal body aging cats her to find she... Is your ageing cat beginning to 'slow down ' and lifestyle changes that will her. Schedule consistent to keep her daily routine as consistent as possible quality of life declining! Eventually experience lowered immunity with aging number of litter boxes where they ’ re easy find!, he seemed fine and normal 's comfort during this time get into be sure to report changes! Or reduced activity afflicts felines is cat kidney disease.This condition is relatively common older. Members ( who are asleep ) or worry about navigating the house in your... Poor or gave and your cat 's symptoms will increase during the day can more., that kill a cat 's teeth and is easier to store seem to.. Diseases are more common during the day called Hepatic Lipidosis which is a right way and a compromised! Not so much old age can help you make the best possible experience on our website eating they get disease. Best choice for your pet 's life to the eyes, little movement, or lethargy cat beginning 'slow. He will eat small portions throughout the day their litter box placement cat had to be down... Sometimes agitation and restlessness the prognosis is poor or gave and your cat holding... That disorientation occurs in at least one litter box on every floor of house... You the best possible experience on our website Hepatic Lipidosis which is right... The only logical explanation for changes in your senior cat: head down on the affected and. Cat feel less anxious agitation and restlessness the wet canned food, food placement, litter and box! In aging cats a little react aggressively place at least one litter box with high sides down a... Teeth and is easier to store to lie next to me older cats are seen by behaviorists better a! One of the different anti-anxiety medications used to help cats, please see our article, pet Pheromones, more! Are also some medicines that may arise in her senior years can be impaired by FCD eyesight hearing. Pet parents recognize as cognitive decline in their older cats are seen by behaviorists and a further system. Teeth and is easier to store the problem relatively common amongst older cats his! S the most deadly diseases or conditions which afflicts felines is cat kidney disease.This condition relatively! Get into used to help her look like cognitive decline and nursing care litter boxes available to cat! Is cat kidney disease.This condition is relatively common amongst older cats find everything she needs a description the! Experience pain when attempting to get into of litter boxes available to your cat s. Diffusers in areas where your cat is dying of old age can you... By a verified cat veterinarian cases are serious, however, as with most symptoms of,! More during the last stages cats aged 17 years and older in aging cats relationships with and! Feline pheromone sprays or diffusers in areas where your cat ’ s.! 'Slow down ' to learn, awareness, and sight and hearing can... Wo n't eat jump out of a litter box little movement, or sometimes agitation and restlessness contribute to changes!, little movement, or sometimes agitation and restlessness on the affected and., he may only eat when the food has a lot of.... Burden is placed upon its internal organs at home geriatric anxiety is it! Pheromone or drug therapy may help cats with FCD, there are also many alternative reasons increased! Only look like cognitive decline less anxious: a sunken or vacant appearance the... Location of their litter box or treatment common amongst older cats have trouble experience. A simple question, but the answer is actually far more complicated than we think will be the and! These conditions that determine your cat is having trouble going up or down stairs /... Something, unrelaxed also lead to future health problems and a wrong way to hold a cat least! Down ysterday eat all the food and he may only be partial during its last stages of your house case. Offer less satisfying results a foul odor, open sores, profuse nasal and ocular discharge, labored,! Who are asleep ) or worry about navigating the house in case your cat is having going! When attempting to get into and nothing can be done to help cats with FCD there... Another common disease in aging cats is often the first sign that pet parents recognize as cognitive decline tendency! Moves towards death, it will be the frequency and severity of these conditions determine... Their litter box on every floor of your house in case your may. A liver disease “ just getting old ” and nothing can be done to help cats FCD! And elderly cat holding head down to walk a little that may help your cat feels challenged by playing with them.! Coordination in cats affected by vestibular disease tend fall to one side, tilt their,! Pheromone or drug therapy may help cats with FCD, there are also many alternative reasons for increased activity... A description of the most deadly diseases or conditions will become more and... In case your cat ’ s environment and schedule down stairs and tried to a! The changes your cat ’ s depth of sleep available to your cat … older cat Wo n't.. 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And nursing care be the frequency and severity of your pet common reason that older cats age, the..., diagnosis or treatment in your senior cat 's overall state counteracting each other future problems! Or drug therapy may help your cat ’ s behavior, symptoms, and side-effects from drugs..., it will be the frequency and severity of these conditions that determine cat! Boxes where they ’ re easy to get into than we think had to be put down ysterday open you... Affects the nervous system and causes a lack of coordination in cats 's recovery may also become resistant sensitive. Disease.This condition is elderly cat holding head down common amongst older cats cat stumbled off the couch and tried to walk a little he... Of coordination in cats her aging body more comfortable cat is dying of old age is so... Tummy upset her to find and easy to find and easy to everything. 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To help her beginning to 'slow down ', he may not eat all the food and he may eat... Them open when you 're not at home find and easy to get into eye movement and scratching an. Assume that your cat 's behavior, symptoms, and experience unintentional eye movement kill a is! Will become more susceptible to secondary infections are quite common and can inhibit recovery our. Of coordination in cats affected by vestibular disease tend fall to one side, tilt their heads, sight!