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Caring for
Senior Cats
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 Old
age is not a disease
As a result of advances in
veterinary medicine, more knowledgeable care and
improved nutrition, cats are now living much longer,
healthier lives. But, just as for humans, the passage of
time has its effects, and you may begin to notice that
your once-frisky feline seems to have slowed down a bit.
Being aware of the natural changes that can occur as
your cat reaches his or her golden years, as well as
what you can do to help keep your pet as healthy, active
and comfortable as possible, can ensure that you both
enjoy this final stage in your cat's life to the
fullest.
How-and
when-will I know that my cat is getting “old”?
As cats move into the geriatric
phase of their lives, they experience gradual changes that
are remarkably like those of aging humans: their hair may
turn grey, their bodies are not as limber and reflexes not
as sharp as they once were, hearing, eyesight and the sense
of smell may deteriorate and energy levels seem to diminish.
In fact, the first sign of aging is often a general decrease
in activity, combined with a tendency to sleep longer and
more soundly. Such signs may begin to manifest themselves
anywhere between the ages of 7 and 11. Furthermore, a
healthy cat who lives indoors, especially one that has been
spayed or neutered, will most likely age later than one
which has been affected by disease or environmental problems
early in life. Thus, while wild or feral tomcats have an
average life span of only 3 years, a castrated male house
cat that is well cared for can live happily and healthily
into his late teens or early twenties. Again, as with
humans, the aging process will vary with the individual.
Your veterinarian will be able to judge when it's time to
consider your pet a “senior”.
Checkup time now comes twice a
year
Keep your vet informed
Most importantly, you should tell
your veterinarian about any noticeable change in your cat's
physical condition or behavior. A problem that you may
assume is simply related to your pet's advanced age may
actually be the result of a treatable medical condition. For
example, your cat's lack of interest in exercise or play may
not stem from the normal decrease in energy that comes with
age, but be due to the stiffness and pain that results from
arthritis—a condition that can be managed with the proper
treatment. Regular, semi-annual checkups can thus help your
veterinarian work out a suitable preventative health program
for your pet and catch any disorders sufficiently early to
provide effective treatment. Working together, you can both
ensure that your cat's senior years will be healthy and
happy ones.
Put a
healthy diet on the menu
 As
he or she ages, your cat’s nutritional needs may
also change. You may find that, although your pet is
eating less, he still puts on weight. This could be
due to a slowdown of his metabolism or a decrease in
his activity. Excess weight can aggravate many
feline medical conditions, including heart,
respiratory, skin and joint problems. To help a
portly puss reduce, try feeding smaller quantities
of food or gradually switch to a diet that is lower
in calories. Other cats have entirely the opposite
problem—they lose weight as they age, sometimes as
the result of heart or periodontal disease, thyroid
dysfunction, kidney failure or sometimes because of
a reduction in their taste sensation, which leads to
a loss of appetite.
In either case, ask your veterinarian for advice
about your pet’s individual nutritional
requirements. |
Senior cat
food do’s & don’ts
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Do make sure
that your cat's diet is well balanced, highly
palatable, digestible and contains potassium and
taurine. |
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Don't serve food with high mineral
and protein content. |
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Do
consider, in consultation with your veterinarian,
increasing the level of fiber in your cat’s diet,
especially if he or she suffers from frequent
constipation. |
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Do
try warming canned food to body temperature—it may
make meals more tempting to senior cats with poor
appetites. |
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Don’t feed your cat between-meal snacks or table
scraps. |
The top
10 health tips for senior cats
- Take
your cat to his or her veterinarian for
twice-yearly checkups.
- Become
informed about conditions and diseases
common to senior cats, be on the lookout for
symptoms and, should they arise, inform your
cat’s veterinarian promptly.
- Feed
your cat the best food you can afford and
consider giving him several small meals a
day rather than one large one.
- Don’t
overfeed—obesity causes many health problems
and may shorten your cat’s life.
- Make
sure your cat receives adequate exercise to
preserve muscle tone, bone, joint strength
and fight obesity.
- Look
after your cat’s dental health. Have his
teeth cleaned professionally when your
veterinarian so advises, and ideally brush
his teeth daily.
- Have
your veterinarian do a risk assessment to
determine an appropriate vaccination
protocol for your cat.
- Do
your utmost to control fleas and make sure
your cat and his environment (his bed, play
area, etc.) are always spotlessly clean.
- Check
your cat’s nails weekly and trim them as
often as necessary, as senior cats may not
use their scratching posts as often as they
did when younger.
- Give
your cat lots of love and attention and do
all you can to keep him interested, active,
happy and comfortable.
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