My cat has a vacant stare and is walking in circles

Hello, I won’t be watching the video as it requires a download. Based on what you've described and the old girl's age, it sounds like it could be a neurological issue. That’s assuming, however, that she’s still eating, drinking, and using the litter tray normally and without any pain (it’s always important to check these basics first). As they get older, cats can sometimes suffer from 'feline dementia', which leads to strange, repetitive behaviours (circling, pacing, or staring into space for long periods). It isn't painful for the cat; it's just their brain starting to fail a bit. There’s not much to be done other than keeping a close eye on her to ensure she’s still eating, drinking, and going to the toilet normally (without any straining). Do keep an eye out for any joint pain as well. I had a cat who lived to 16 and started having these neurological problems. Even though he’d always been incredibly affectionate, he would start staring at me as if he didn't recognise me, growling and nipping at my ankles. After the first episode, which was quite shocking and upsetting for me, the vet confirmed it was feline dementia and advised me to just leave the room when he had these "turns", which would last about 15 minutes. The rest of the time, he was his usual lovely self. He lived to be 17 and a half, but in the end, it was his kidneys that gave out.

Maybe a video would help us get a better idea of what's going on. I’m not being funny, but it’s hard to tell from reading this whether your cat is actually poorly or if you’re just feeling a bit down yourself... From the sound of things, she does seem a bit disorientated though... Does she react to noise or movement in her line of sight? Try throwing a paper aeroplane across her field of vision, and use a noisier object as well, just to check she isn't starting to lose her sight or hearing...