Cat behaving very oddly - age?

12Phase

We've a cat that's coming up on 15 years old at this stage and he's behaving very oddly.

He's always been a very "wild" cat and never really behaved much like a pet, but he was fairly ok but never particularly affectionate. He purrs a lot, gives you the odd head butt but wouldn't really be a cuddly kitty type. More like a grumpy, mildly affectionate housemate lol

Now he's just following me around almost all the time meowing and poking me with his paw and walking between my feet.

He aggressively begs for food but is exceptionally well fed and always has been.

He's also taken to jumping onto the kitchen table during meals or even just walking up someone's leg and taking their food.

When he gets the food he then doesn't really want it.

On top of that he has had a few odd urinating (not spraying or scent marking) issues.

Could this just be old age and cognitive issues developing?

He still understands basic phrases like "dinner", "lunch", "go to bed", "go into the kitchen", his name, "here puss!" Or if you tell him to "get (name)" he'll give them a head butt rub and purr like an engine.

He also hurles to the door when the bell rings and greets you on the driveway when you get home.

So, he's still fairly switched on but, I'm just concerned about the sudden complete lack of "manners" and the kitten like following me around behaviour.

Nody

Could be health related and not absorbing something; I'd get him checked out by the vet and do a blood test.

Latatian

Could be a health problem. Diabetes is associated with changes in eating, appetite, and urination. Only a vet can tell you now.

Melendez

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12Phase

The cat also has bad arthritis and a mass was detected in a scan but is in a very dangerous location next to his heart and also doesn't appear to be growing so has been left well enough alone. Even a biopsy wouldn't have been advisable given where it is.

He's still pretty active but his hips looked like cauliflower in the X-ray.

Speedwell

Cats do get senile. Also try asking the owner of http://www.wayofcats.com/blog/ (a cat rescuer who is an expert in cat behavior); she is almost always willing to give good advice.

I have a 14-year-old Maine Coon who has been slowing down a lot lately and being a bit needier, but only toward my husband. He's always been a bit needy though.