Many cats manifest this grumpiness when they aren't feeling well. It is easy to assume our strong and silent friends are not affected by ailments. Just like with other pets (and people) as they age, their body goes through changes. Here are some reasons a cat may be perceived as grumpy.
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 ...
Aging cats may have behavior changes like forgetting where you put their litter box, being less active, or acting more aggressive. If your older cat starts acting differently, it might be a sign of an aging problem such as feline cognitive dysfunction (FCD).
Some cats become grumpier and more withdrawn with age and dislike being touched or petted. Others become more dependent and are happy to spend more time on laps. Love and affection may even help to decrease anxiety in cats during their senior years.
They might be in pain or have medical issues
Should you observe a significant change in your cat's behavior, then a visit to the vet is the best place to start. Watch out for changes in eating, drinking or litter-box habits. Also hiding and avoiding being touched. Be sure to report all changes to your vet.
Fear Aggression
Changes in the household or environment such as new people, loud noises, other pets, or even different smells can create stress for a cat, making them feel unsafe. A scared cat may hide, vocalize, or run away suddenly.
In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards. When caring for older cats it sometimes helps to appreciate their age in human terms.
Intensive growth 2-4 months
This is the naughty stage of the kitten development chart when your kittens start to show their true colours!
Decreased grooming. Changes in general behaviour eg, increased irritability, increased anxiety, decreased responsiveness. Changes in learning and memory eg, forgetting commands, forgetting previous litter tray training. Changes in activity eg, reduced activity, aimless wandering or pacing.
At 6 months in 'human years', your kitty is around 2 years old in kitty years! This means it's when the kitty 'Terrible Two's' will probably kick in and they will be reaching physical and sexual maturity. These are the prime years for a cat.
Unprovoked Aggression
With her reduced senses of hearing, vision, and smell, your cat is less able to sense people or things coming into her personal space and can become startled more easily than in her younger days.
Try interactive toys like catnip toys, laser pointers, crumpled balls of tissue paper and feather wands that encourage movement and bring them joy. 2. Make sure your cat has plenty of places to rest. Senior cats enjoy more frequent naps, so create cozy and comfortable places for them to relax.
Give Senior Cats Daily Exercise and Mental Stimulation
All cats need places to climb, places to hide, things to scratch, and ways to hunt and play. All of these things will help your cat stay physically and mentally stimulated as well as healthy.
Eyes and Ears
Your cat's eyes are very expressive. Sudden dilation of the eyes indicates they are extremely happy. A cat is also in a happy-place when their ears are facing forward, but tilted back just slightly.
Older cats tend to be less active and playful, they may sleep more, gain or lose weight, and have trouble reaching their favorite places. Don't chalk up health or behavior changes - often gradual - to old age, however.
Of course while some cats get more affectionate as they age, this is not true for all cats and can depend on a number of different factors such as personality, environment, breed and more. Age also comes with physical effects that often cause cats to decrease activity and become less playful.
A 14 year old cat is the equivalent to 72 human years old.
Cats are often considered to be uncaring or disinterested toward their human family members, but this isn't true. Although cats don't need as much constant attention as most dogs, they do connect and bond with their humans, and they feel unhappy when separated for too long.
Cats will miss their owners when they are gone, but the response to a cat missing you may vary. Some kitties may express their sadness through purring, meowing, or following their owner around, while others may show no outward signs of sadness. Here are some common signs your cat missed you: Meowing and Crying.
Changes in Personality
A cat that typically craved attention when he was young may become more distant in his old age, or a cat that was aloof before may now be quite clingy. Other personality changes include irritability, crankiness, apathy, and aggression.
Cats hiss to warn someone or something to back away. It's a defensive sound, alongside growling, yowling, and spitting. But unlike other feline vocalizations, hissing is involuntary—a natural reaction when they're frightened, surprised, or experiencing sudden pain or discomfort.