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Nise5280 · Nov 6, 2009, 03:30 AM

My 18 yr old female Choc. Himalayan cat has begun walking in circles. Is this a sign of her age; dimentia; some kind of stress or distress about something I am not seeing? On her way through a room she will just stop, do 3-6 circles & then resume her journey across the room. Please help! Thank you

ROLCAM · Nov 6, 2009, 03:37 AM

Usually cats like to follow the smell of other cats.
In your case your cat is following its own smell.
There is nothing to worry about.
I would, however, consider in bringing in
Another cat for company.

tany072075 · Nov 6, 2009, 04:47 AM

If she's never done this before and considering her age, I would strongly suggest getting it checked out.

artlady · Nov 6, 2009, 05:04 AM

Could she have fleas you don't know about or something that is making her itch?

As you stated there is pet dementia.

Aw gees that sucks but ,you had a long time,she is one old girl .

Its time to see a vet or hold her and tell her its OK to go.

Nise5280 · Nov 6, 2009, 05:59 AM

ROLCAM, Thank you-- this does make some sense... and my husband did bring home a 'companion' kitten when she lost her life companion (cat) @ 4 yrs ago. They're just now becoming good friends.

artlady, I live in the Rocky Mtns... to much altitude for any fleas... she's not scratching, & no I didn't state dimentia--I'm wondering if this is a sign of dimentia. She is of otherwise great physical health. No, it's not time to go to the vet, ty... but I won't hesitate when her quality of life calls for it.

tany072075, Thank you also! Your response pretty much mirrors what goes through my mind when I watch her... she's a great, cranky little old lady (but very cool!) until 'Sybil' takes the switch & she does some circles... then turns back into my cat. Thank you again... Off to the vet for a checkup we shall go...

excon · Nov 6, 2009, 07:02 AM

Hello Nice:

My old pooch did that. It was a brain tumor. He had a good life. So has your cat.

excon

Nise5280 · Nov 6, 2009, 12:21 PM

excon, woa. Okay. I asked because I wanted to know the possibilities, so I do appreciate your answer. And yes, she has has. I hear 18 years aren't too common for a cat. Thx again, Nise5280.

tany072075 · Nov 7, 2009, 04:10 AM

Let us know what you find out. I'm glad you're going to take her to the vet. Hope its not anything serious.

morgaine300 · Nov 12, 2009, 08:13 PM

That could very well be some neurological thing, so yes, the vet is in order. I'd be curious what happened if you took her.

In my mind, 18 is not that unusual, because there are so many things that can be done these days to allow cats to live that long -- and I happen to hang around with a lot of people who know and do these things. So I'm watching cats living longer and longer. While that is a good age to get to, it doesn't really surprise me a whole lot either.

I hope she sees at least 19. :-)

shravan1234 · Mar 1, 2011, 01:18 AM

My 5 week old kitten, Chip fell one entire floor about 10 feet and has a huge lump on his head. After this he too started walking in circles, he's very unresponsive and his head tilts to one side. Has your cat fallen anywhere and hit his/ her head?
Thanks,
Shravan

kiwikitty · Apr 30, 2012, 09:24 PM

My 9 year old Tortie girl has been randomly walking in circles for the last one or two years. Always the same direction and she seems stuck in the circles. Sometimes she wants to turn to the left, but can't and she'll just turn right until she heads that way. At times, she'll cry out as she circles, obviously distressed. She'll knock into objects and walls or fall off sofas and beds. It usually only lasts a few minutes.

She has had a full medical check-up and her senior blood-work done and is completely fine. I showed a video to my vet of one of her episodes and the vet believes it might be hydrocephalus, but she will need to see a neurologist to be sure.

I hope your kitty turned out to be okay.