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 For
your cat pet to enjoy time with you, she must always be in good health. Like
you, if the pets are feeling pain they are unable to feel the mood of having
fun!
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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
 As
your cat ages, regular checkups at the veterinarian’s become
more important than ever. In fact, at this stage of your pet’s
life, it is recommended that he or she receive a thorough
examination every 6 months, as adult cats can age as much
as 4 years (in human terms) within the period of one calendar
year. Besides the usual complete physical examination, your
veterinarian may conduct a urine and fecal analysis and a
full blood screen. If your cat goes outdoors, or is part of
a multi-feline household, he or she may also recommend that
your pet be tested for the presence of feline leukemia or
immunodeficiency virus. |
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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