Caring for the Older Cat

Cats live on average about 14 to 16 years though cat can live to over 20? The chances of a long and happy life are considerably increased if the cat lives in a house or apartment, away from the dangers of roads, if they are sterilized and protected against common diseases. Older cats have a weaker immunes system and are more vulnerable to viruses and infections. Their eating habits must be constantly monitored for loss of appetite, excessive hunger or thirst and difficulty swallowing.

Cats start to age at about 10 years old. From this age you should carry out a complete annual health check – clinical examinations blood tests any other checks that might be necessary to check for illnesses. You should also pay close attention to any sudden changes in your cat’s habits and to avoid stress as much as possible.

The Main Signs of Aging

The first signs of aging are obvious in the fur, which forms small “tufts”, indications of dehydration and less though cleaning. If the cat loses weight this could be from things like muscular atrophy or decreased efficiency of the digestive system; slower and less agile movement, which could be caused by arthritis pain; a very opaque iris; incisor teeth falling out, damaged canines and molars with tartar, could all be age-related.

The first thing you should do is change what you are feeding your cat. As with people, the effectiveness of the digestive system decreases and older cats may lose their appetite and find it difficult to chew. This can lead to significant weight loss. Older cats lose sensory perception and so are less sensitive to smells than before. To stimulate his appetite, you could warm up his food slightly as this can make its smell more appetizing. If he has problems chewing, you will probably want to change him from dry food to wet food.

The energy needs of the older cat are obviously lower than those of a kitten or adult cat. To avoid obesity, you should choose foods designed for older cats and follow the instructions for your cat’s weight, age and physical activity (depending on whether he is an indoor or outdoor cat), and whether or not he is sterilized.

The following should be monitored closely:

The Teeth

As mentioned above, the teeth can create problems for the cat as he ages and he can get painful and repeated gingivitis. So check them regularly and seek help from your vet if extraction, descaling or any other treatment is needed.

The Fur

As the cat ages, he becomes less agile and can’t groom himself as well as before. He fur becomes more opaque, greasy and dirty with dandruff. You should was older cats unless it is absolutely necessary. You could clean him with a neutral disposable wipe, like the ones used for children, and brush him gently. As well as improving his appearance and helping with his skin and fur health, it will be a moment of connection between you and your pet.

Arthritis and Decrease Muscle Tone

The older cat can become lazy or from age-related disabilities, my lose muscle tone. You need to encourage him to move and play with his toys.

Eyes and Ears

His hearing can become impaired but his doesn’t generally have a severe impact on the cat’s lifestyle.  Eyes – cataracts are the most common problem for cats but a cat can adapt well to a progressive loss of vision.  Sudden blindness, where the cat comes more and more disorientated, with the pupils becoming more and more dilated, is caused by the retina becoming detached (due to renal failure) and is irreversible.  However, cats can adapt well to this too.

Cognitive Dysfunction

This can show in a change in the cat’s behaviour which cannot be explained by poor health. This is associated with aging of the brain, more commonly known as senile dementia. The most common symptom is altered sleep-wake cycles where the cat doesn’t sleep at night but wanders round the house plaintively mewing and can’t be comforted or calmed. The most appropriate treatment for this is antioxidants such as vitamin E and vitamin C as well as omega fatty acids. Numerous studies have shown that these can effectively protect brain cells.

Though not common, neoplasms can occur in cats. Animals with tumours lose weight very quickly and won’t eat. A visit to the vet is essential so you can get a full diagnosis and check for other symptoms such as jaundice or dyspnea.

Finally, the leading cause of death in older cats is chronic renal failure. If the cat doesn’t eat much and wees frequently, take him to the vets for a blood test to check for the presence or progress of this chronic disease.

Jasper took to sleeping in strange places when his kidneys failed.