I know there are a lot of cat people here so I have a question.  My Lacey is getting up there in years, she's about 14 years old now.  What I am wondering about is her personality is changing ....drastically.  Her nose is nice and wet, she is eating well (maybe a little more than she used to), she is using her litter box as usual, but she has for the last couple of months been unusually affectionate.  She never really cared for cuddling before but now she can't seem to get enough.  Is this normal for older cats?  Is it some kind of kitty senile dementia?

So , I was staying off the board but checked today and when I saw Snow Queen call her once loved cat, a damn cat, I knew I had made the right choice staying away because I had a lot to say and then I would regret it....but not really.  But for some reason, I just checked the board again tonight.

My last 3 cats lived past the age of 20.  All rescues. Old cats can want the warmth and affection of a loved one.  Or they can be ill and trying very hard to tell you something.  My mom's one regret is that O'Reilly got all lovey at 14 and she didn't have a wellness check.  He was trying to tell her something. He was sick!

I suggest you take your cat for a wellness check. Blood work.  It may be nothing.  It could be something.  My mom always regretted not taking O'Reilly in when he got over affectionate.  He was ill.  Very ill.

I commend everyone on the board that think it is OK to wait a few days.  A few days is OK but not always.  I hate to say I wanted to come back on board and read Snow Queens assessment of her 'damn cat'.

I am not as angry now as I was when I read the thread.  Snow Queen, you should not have pets.  Blood in the urine requires medical attention.  End of story.  Even if it stops when you feed a different food.  I also don't have money but I have 10 pets.  Not one of them ever lacks medical attention when needed.  I will beg, borrow or steal to ensure the health of my pets.  The birth of a baby should not exclude the love of a pet. 

I once admired Snow Queen from never wanting kids, to having unprotected sex with her best friend.  Finding out she was pregnant and dealing with the options of wanting to abort, to possibly adoption, to finally deciding to keep the baby.  I lost all respect when her pets became non issues.

Cats can not be left in cages.  They can not have only a few 'moments' of kindness.  This is no different than that of a lab animal.  Being in a cage and seeing how an illness progresses.  I know I sound harsh but an animal isn't an experiment, a toy, an ignored subject except when one feels the need to play with the creature. 

Jane, I applaud you asking about your cat Lacey.  She is now considered old (very senior).  She should go for a physical.  Blood work to test her liver and kidney functions.  Her general well being.  As cats age, their liver and kidney functions diminish.  Blood work can show many things.  If you do a wellness check, you will also have a guide line in the years to come. 

I wish you every success with Lacey.  Your question shows that you love your senior cat very much!

When one adopts a pet, one is responsible for their well being for the entirety of their lives.

Please know that right now the animal shelters are full to the brim with pets due to the economic situation.  Unhealthy animals will be put to sleep.  They do not have the room for unhealthy as the shelters are brimming with healthy animals.  And please don't always believe the no kill thing.  I know different.  You take on a pet, you are responsible.  No animal ever asked to be born.  They just were!

I left the board because I have much going on right now.  I have 10 pets.  Not one of them will ever lack medical care.  I pray to God they stay healthy for awhile as I can not afford medical bills.  But the second one gets sick, I will do what I have to do to get them immediate medical attention.

Again, I hope Snow Queen finds loving homes for her cats.  No cat should be caged.  No animal should be second class.

Yes, every once in a while I check out the board.  I left because life dictated that I do so.  Lots of personal sh*t.  None the less, I think of you all often. 

Peace and happiness in 2009.  For those of you with pets, it is YOUR responsibility to ensure their health and happiness. If you can't do it, find someone who can!  Shelters are not the answer right now.  They are overflowing with pets people once said they loved.

Having a baby is no excuse to abandon or not love your pet! Cats and dogs do not understand the lack of love.  Animals that are ill, suffer.  People that find themselves in economic issues, such as myself, their pets  do not understand the lack of love.  Pets are the one thing that will love us no matter what.  Remember that and take care of their medical issues.  You will  never have a friend that loves you no matter what.  Your pet couldn't care less if you have money or not.  They want your love.  They deserve medical attention when needed.  The day one welcomes a pet into their home, they take on the full responsibility of their pet.  FOR LIFE!

Veg on and hugs
Di

I am sorry if I offended some but animal, pet ownership/companionship is close to my heart. Never take on the responsibility of a pet if you are not willing to care, nurture, and love them though the long haul.

Ranting done!

P.S.  Alhough I am financially struggling right now, not one of my pets has to worry.  They are a priority.  They always have been.

My not so old cat (7) has gotten more affectionate with strangers as he's gotten older... so they certainly can change as they age. What had me a little concerned was your saying her appetite has maybe even improved in recent months. That could be a sign of hyperthyroidism, which is treatable with medication (or curable with radiation). I would definitely have some blood work run to check that out. In general, it's a good idea to have "baseline" bloods even on healthy older animals so that if they do start to look off, you have something to compare "sick" bloodwork to.