My old cat is clingy and acting strange. What should I do about it?

As with any sudden behavioral change, an exam to rule out any health issues is always the best first option. If the weather is changing rapidly and you are seeing her seek out warmer spots such as blankets, by heater vents, etc that could also be related to the behavior. Adding a warm blanket out of the dryer to her bed, or providing a place for her to sleep near a heater may help. However, if you are concerned enough about the change, a vet exam for a bit of peace of mind is always good.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding your cat. She will need to see her veterinarian for laboratory work. Increased vocalizations and increased thirst are common signs of hyperthyroidism. This is a disease where the body makes too much thyroid hormone thereby increasing metabolism. Other signs can include weight loss, hyperactivity, increased urination as well as vomiting and/or diarrhea. If this is her diagnosis, the disease is typically managed with medication. I hope this information helps!

I would have Carmen checked out by a vet. Whenever there is a behavior change, it's a good idea to have a health check done by a vet. It may not be that she is at the end of her life, it could be she has an illness that may be able to be treated. I wouldn't make an assumptions about her reaching the end of her life without having her seen by a vet. Give your vet a call today to make an appointment. Best of luck.

This degree of weakness and behaviour change is very concerning and likely to indicate severe injury or illness,especially in light of the sudden increase in thirst. An urgent vet check and urine or blood test would be recommended to identify the underlying cause. Although he is not very old for a cat you should be prepared for potentially bad news given the severity of his symptoms

A sudden change in behavior from the normal can be a sign of illness. Keep an eye on Texas for tonight, and if he's still acting this way in the morning, have him seen by a vet for a health check. Best of luck.

Yes it is necessary to have her seen by a vet. It's very serious when a cat eats less and in a cat her age, this can be a sign of disease like kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, or cancer. Hyperthyroidism can make a cat more vocal, which could explain the noises she is now making. Please take her into a vet today for a geriatric blood and urinalysis. I hope this helps, you please stay safe too!

Your kitty needs to be seen by a vet. These are concerning symptoms in an older cat. They can become dehydrated very easily. Not eating can be caused by numerous things including things with the gi tract itself and diseases of any other organ system (kidneys, liver, etc). Your vet can perform an exam and then likely will recommend starting with bloodwork +/- xrays. This is the best plan to figure out what is going on and to get your kitty feeling better. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!