Dementia in cats becomes more common as they age, but it’s up to us to love them regardless and tend to them with more care and kindness. The cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) in cats is quite similar to the human version, and the chances of your fur baby showing signs of it increase as they age.
Hence, it’s essential to monitor for signs of dementia in your senior cats and comfort them when they need you the most, just like this man in this viral Instagram video. The pet dad showed how he calms his cat when she “lost” herself in a truly heartwarming moment. 
A viral video on Instagram is making users emotional over how a dad calms his senior cat who has dementia. Julie Nashawaty, a pet sitter from South End Boston, shared the moving clip on her account to show her husband’s stirring reaction to their furry girl, Luna, when she lost herself because of her CDS. To give some context to viewers, the text over the video explained, “Our 18 year old cat has dementia and scream cries when she gets ‘lost.’” The cat mom then wrote that it showed how her husband, Steve Granelli, reacted to it.
The clip showed Granelli dearly holding Luna in a baby hold and gently and slowly swinging her. He also caressed her tenderly with one hand until she was calm as they stood in front of the TV while Nashawaty captured the moment. In return, the senior cat also held on to her dad with great love as she looked around the room and at her mom to ensure she was around. The moving glimpses showed a rare memory and the difficult side of parenting aging pets. But it also offered a glimpse of the love they continue to share every day.
The senior cat’s video of her dad taking care of her as she suffers dementia seemingly touched the hearts of many. One commenter wrote that the thought of those “without homes who get dementia, wandering the streets lost and scared” made them cry. Several others opened up about their own experiences with their felines showing signs of the CDS, and some were indeed heartbreaking. Users continued remarking how that post made them “tear up,” as one claimed, “This is what love looks like period.”
