Friday, July 14, 2017

Antics of an Aging Cat



I don’t know what has gotten into our ‘Silly’ Tilly lately. She’s acting sillier than usual splashing water all around. Having hyperthyroidism and taking twice daily pills for the condition, she may need a trip to the vet. It wouldn’t hurt to check her thyroid levels and kidney condition.

In the meantime, I am trying to solve the issue of filthy water bowls and wet flooring as she continues dunking paws in the drinking water put out for her and Jezebel. Thinking the taller bowls we’ve used for years might be irritating her whiskers I found the shallowest thing possible.

I put out a serving tray centered on a storage bin lid to prevent spills leaking into the basement. As you can see, the results are underwhelming.

This is a Foot Bath, Right?
She really got into paddling away a moment later, too. At least the lid contained the water.


Do any of you fellow cat caregivers have any suggestions as to why this behavior would appear overnight? In the meantime, I guess I’ll call my local veterinarian’s office.

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13 comments:

  1. A cat who likes to splash in the water? Weird.

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    1. It sounds strange, but it's actually much more common than you would expect. A search online turned up a plethora of suggestions. The receptionist at the vet's office suggested it could just be senility due to her age (!), which is both reassuring and frustrating at the same time.

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  2. We have had several do this kind of thing. Several, even now play in the water bowls and sink. We used to have one that we called Waterdog.

    You do need to have her levels checked, though. That should be monitored. ❤

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    1. Thanks for sharing! ~hugs~ She has a Saturday morning appointment at 8:15. I'm hoping it's no big deal. We should get the blood work tests back early Monday morning.

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  3. That is too cute. My Phoebe also takes thyroid meds twice a day and has kidney disease. I have noticed when we run the a/c she seems to want more water- she has us run the faucet for her while holding her drinking cup under it so she can also get her head wet. :) How old is Silly Tilly? Phoebe and her friend Kali have a senior club for females over 15.

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    1. Awww, thanks. Tilly was adopted at a fairly young age (under one perhaps or two, for sure) and is probably sixteen or seventeen now. It's so hard to believe!

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  4. Wished I could help out with a suggestion but I am new at the cat giver thing! Sorry. Funny you call her Silly Tilly, I call mine Silly Lily! Or Lily Bit (for little bit). She sure is packed full of fun and entertainment!

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    1. I'm so glad you and Dakota have given her a loving home. They are two lucky fur babies. ~hugs~ Enjoy her youth!

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  5. Vision troubles maybe, judging the edge of the water, for drinking so is using a paw first.

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  6. But I'll tell you mine do that when suffering from indigestion and hairballs, so give her some catlax, or something. they really do paw at the water when having clog issues.

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    1. Tilly has never been much of a groomer. ~rolls eyes~ We take her to get shaved about three times a year to prevent knotting. But I am worried that she may not be using the litter box as much. She's sure to be going back to the vet tomorrow at this rate. I've got my fingers crossed. Thanks for taking the time to suggest ideas!

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