Potential Causes of Increased Vocalisation in Elderly Cats with Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome as Assessed by Their Owners

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to explore owner perception of the causes of increased vocalisation in cats diagnosed with cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) and consider what impact this vocalisation may have on the cat’s household. Owners of cats diagnosed with CDS that presented with increased vocalisation were invited to complete an online survey. The survey consisted of 28 questions including the cat’s signalment, its medical history, and questions pertaining to the owner’s perception of what motivated their cat´s increased vocalisation. This was determined by looking at the cat’s behaviour when vocalising, where it was looking when it was vocalising, and if the vocalisation stopped when the owner interacted with it, e.g., petting or feeding it. The owners were also asked how stressful they found their cat’s vocalisation. There were 37 responses. The majority of owners reported that the main cause of their cat’s vocalisation appeared to be disorientation (40.5%) or attention seeking (40.5%). Seeking a resource such as food was reported in 16.2%, and pain was perceived to be the cause in only 2.7% of cats. However, the majority of owners (64.8%) believed there was >1 cause of their cat’s increased vocalisation. Importantly, when owners were asked how stressful they found their cat’s increased vocalisation, 40.5% scored ≥3 (where 1 = not stressful; 5 = significantly stressful). This study provides novel insight into owner perception of feline CDS, as well as potential causes for increased vocalisation; this will allow veterinarians to better advise owners on how to manage their cat with CDS.

Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats: Update on Neuropathological and Behavioural Changes Plus Clinical Management

“…When asked to suggest the likely main cause of their cats increased vocalisation, 41% suggested disorientation, 41% suggested attention seeking (i.e., wanting affection and attention from their owner) and 16% that their cat was looking for food. The owners also reported that 67.5% of cats were more affectionate 19 (Figure 2). These studies show that most of the behaviours detailed in the acronym DISHAAL can in themselves cause increased vocalisation; 'alteration in the Interactions between the pet and its owners', 'Anxiety' (e.g., causing attention seeking), 'spatial or temporal Disorientation' and 'deficits in Learning and memory' (e.g., causing a cat to forget that they have been fed), and 'alterations in the Sleep-wake cycle' likely to play a role in night crying.…”

“…Graph modified and used with permission from Sordo et al 2020 18 F I G U R E 2 Main causes of increased vocalisations in cats with CDS, as reported by their owners. Graph modified and used with permission from Cerna et al 2020 19 including a T-maze and matching tasks. The results showed an age-dependent decline in both discrimination and reversal learning*, as well as significant differences between groups during the matching tasks, suggesting that the older the cat, the more severe the cognitive decline they may develop.…”

“…Cats which cry when they wake up confused and disorientated may be helped by having a night-light, leaving a radio on to play soft music or a speech radio station, plugging in synthetic pheromone dispensers (e.g., Feliway Classic), or reducing the area the cat has access to so it cannot get lost so easily. 19 Ultimately, the cat may need to have a room of its own to sleep in, with all of its key resources, including a warm comfortable bed (e.g., a heat pad under a snuggle bed plus a blanket). 59,65 A strict night-time routine with a warm meal, warm bedding and a cuddle before shutting the door at night may help them to settle.…”

“…Graph modified and used with permission from Sordo et al 2020 Main causes of increased vocalisations in cats with CDS, as reported by their owners. Graph modified and used with permission from Cerna et al 202019…”

Age‐related cognitive impairments in domestic cats naturally infected with feline immunodeficiency virus

“…Age‐related cognitive decline is a common feature of normal ageing in people, 5,6 and has also been shown to occur in elderly domestic dogs and cats 7–14 . The clinical features of feline dementia (previously called cognitive dysfunction syndrome) include increased vocalization and other altered behaviours, plus a decline in learning, memory, sensorimotor, and perceptual skills 8,10,15,16 ; however, the detection and quantification of these findings are lacking in the clinical context 10 …”