Forgetful felines on the rise, experts say

LONDON, Aug. 3 (UPI) -- An increasing number of forgetful cats in Britain are being diagnosed with mental health conditions similar to Alzheimer's disease, experts say.

Research indicates a million cats in Britain have a mental problem similar to Alzheimer's, The Daily Telegraph reported Saturday.

"When we look at cats of all ages, we believe about 10 percent will be affected, which represents about 1 million cats in Britain," said Dr. Danielle Gunn-Moore of the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

Gunn-Moore said more felines are experiencing memory loss because their average life-span is increasing.

"These days cats are given a better diet, they are more sheltered and tend not to spend so much time outdoors, and they are more likely to be treated for conditions for which they might have been put down in the past," she said.