Caring for the older cat
مدونة معلمي
July 28, 2018
Like
any other creature in the world, Cats slow down when they age, their
personality may totally change, just like humans. The majority of aged cats
become friendlier with their owners, but some cats may become grumpier and
maybe don’t like to be touched. However, if your cats personality has largely
changed you should and must check with your vet.
What
happens during ageing?
Ageing affects the
skin and it becomes less elastic. The coat loses its shine and white hairs may
appear. Hearing and sight deteriorate and your pet’s memory may be affected.
Sleep patterns often change as many older cats sleep more, although some become
wakeful at night.
The muscles and bones
become weaker and the immune system does not work as well, so your pet becomes
less capable of fighting off infection. Internal organs such as the heart,
liver and the kidneys can deteriorate. Other changes make the mouth drier and
swallowing can be more difficult.
However, improvements
in medicine mean that there are treatments available to help reduce the worst
effects. Age is not a reason to accept ill health and even old cats can lead
happy, active lives. Keeping your cat mentally active may help to keep them
feeling young – try hiding titbits for them to find round the house, but make
it easy at first to avoid frustration. Try new toys as even older cats like to
play.
When do cats start to get old?
Middle age for most
cats is now generally considered to start at seven years. Many vets are now
starting to provide “senior care” programmes and these are worth considering.
Picking up early changes in your pet enables early diagnosis and treatment and
may considerably improve quality of life.
As your cat ages, it's
kind to provide an indoor litter tray, even if your cat normally toilets outdoors.
Because they must be slower on their feet, older cats may feel vulnerable
outside and providing an indoor tray will help prevent toileting problems. Ones
with low sides that are easy to step into are best.
Feeding the older cat
Throughout its life,
it is a good idea to weigh your cat every one to two months. If weight is
steadily increasing after 12 months of age, you need to start reducing your
cat’s food. Weight loss can be an early sign of illness, so check with your
vet.
It is common for older
cats to develop medical conditions that cause them to lose weight, such as
kidney and thyroid disease. If your cat is losing weight, it is important to
consult your vet as soon as possible. Other cats acquire a middle-aged spread
and it is essential that this be kept under control. Overweight cats are
unlikely to live as long and they are prone to serious illnesses such as kidney
disease, diabetes and arthritis.
Cats vary in size from
petite to large, so weight alone doesn't tell you much. The only way to tell if
your pet is overweight is to examine it carefully. Can you see an hourglass
waist when viewed from above? Can you feel your pet’s ribs with light finger
pressure? If the answer to these questions is “no”, it is time to reduce food
intake. And if your pet has a potbelly as well, it is definitely time to go on
a diet. However, crash dieting is dangerous for cats.
It may be better to
follow one of the many senior diets, as they are lower in calories and reduce
the likelihood of weight gain. Protein restriction has not been proven to be
beneficial for healthy cats, but is helpful for cats with kidney problems. If
your cat has kidney disease ask your vet for advice on a suitable diet.
Anti-oxidants and
supplementation with polyunsaturated oils (as provided by some of the senior
diets) may be beneficial, but again there is no proof. It’s best to seek the
advice of your vet.
If your cat is losing
weight you should consult your vet in case there is an underlying medical
problem and discuss whether following a senior diet is advisable. The vet may
suggest special foods and, if appetite is poor, it may help to feed little and
often, warm the food or add a small quantity of pilchards or sardines.
Adding vegetable oil
or margarine (in small quantities at first) may help weight gain, provided that
the extra fat does not cause diarrhoea.
For further information, see our
advice on keeping
your pet in shape and caring for them when sick.
Grooming
If your cat is looking
unkempt or developing matted fur, go to the vet for a check-up. There may be
dental disease or joint problems that are affecting the ability to groom.
Regular grooming is important for your cat.
Keep a check on the
claws. Younger cats often do not need claw trimming, but reduced activity can
result in the claws overgrowing. They can curl round and even grow into the
foot. Get your vet to check if you are not sure.
Common problems
Arthritis in older cats
My
pet is a bit stiff in the mornings. Surely that is to be expected at his age?
Joint function certainly
deteriorates with age and arthritis is very common, but a visit to the vet is
worthwhile. The vet will assess your pet and advise on weight control if
necessary. Long-term treatment for arthritis in cats is more challenging than
in dogs, as there are fewer drugs available, although more are now coming onto
the market. Some drug treatments suit some individuals better than others, so
your vet may need to experiment a little to see what is best for your cat.
Regular veterinary monitoring is advisable. Tell your vet immediately if the
medication causes excessive thirst, puts your cat off food, or causes diarrhoea
or vomiting. Some of the “nutraceutical” diet supplements may be helpful, or
acupuncture may be an option. Discuss the choices with your vet. Once the
arthritis has settled down, medication may only be needed on bad days. Consult
your vet for advice. Never give your cat any of your own arthritis medicines or
painkillers.
My
old cat is drinking loads. That means his kidneys have gone, doesn't it? There's
no point in taking him to the vet!
An increased thirst in
a pet that lasts longer than a day or two is certainly something that should be
investigated. There can be many causes, such as kidney disease, or liver
disease, among others. Your cat could even be diabetic. It is well worth a
visit to the vet. Even if your cat has kidney disease, in some cases there are
still things that can be done to slow down the progress of the disease and make
your pet more comfortable.
For further
information, see our advice on health issues with older cats.
My
13-year-old cat seems to have perpetual diarrhoea. He is still eating but has
lost a lot of weight. Sometimes he makes a mess on the carpet. My friends say
he should be put down?
This is quite a common
reason why owners bring their elderly cat to the vet. There can be several
causes, some of which are treatable and some of which, sadly, are not. One
possible cause could be hyperthyroidism, which often responds very well to
treatment. Again, seek the advice of your vet.
My
14-year-old cat has really smelly breath. The vet says she needs an anaesthetic
to have some teeth out. Isn’t she too old for an anaesthetic?
Modern anaesthetic
techniques are generally considered safe, although there is always a degree of
risk for any animal – as with humans. A large number of anaesthetics are given
to older animals since they tend to have problems that need surgery.
The vet may want to
carry out blood tests to check your cat’s general health first. Having
infected, bad teeth and gums, apart from being uncomfortable, can be a risk too
– they are a source of infection that can damage other organs of the body. Many
owners find that animals with bad teeth are happier and eat better after they
have had dentistry, so it is probably wise to go ahead with surgery.
My
old cat seems to be confused. He wakes up in the middle of the night and miaows
loudly. He also sleeps a lot. Is there anything that can be done, or is he just
senile?
Cats do suffer from
brain deterioration like people with dementia and this has a similar effect on
their behaviour. If your elderly cat is behaving strangely, seems dull,
disinclined to go out or greet you when you arrive home, if he is sitting
staring at the wall or just seems confused, it is worth consulting your vet.
Similar drugs to those
used with Alzheimer's disease have been used in cats – and for some patients
they work very well. Other medical disorders also produce these symptoms, so
your vet needs to examine your pet to decide whether further tests are needed.
Go to the vet if your
cat:
- is eating less
- is drinking more than normal
- has smelly breath
- has lost weight
- is stiff, limping, or having
difficulty in jumping up onto things
- has any lumps or bumps,
especially if they are rapidly getting bigger
- has become less active
- is having trouble passing urine
or faeces, or is passing water indoors
- has become dull, disorientated or is having trouble with balance
Caring for the older cat
Reviewed by مدونة معلمي
on
July 28, 2018
Rating:
Reviewed by مدونة معلمي
on
July 28, 2018
Rating:
