Authored by: Becky Lundgren, DVM
A cat’s health changes with age. Physical and
mental changes occur, just as they do with people. Most older cats sleep
more than they did when young, and they usually sleep more deeply. They may
not be able to jump quite as high. They may lose or gain weight, depending
on their metabolism.
You will most likely find that
your cat needs to go the veterinarian a bit more often as it ages. You will
also find it beneficial to prevent a health issue from becoming serious by
going to the veterinarian early. It’s always easier to treat a disease in
its early stage.
However, it’s a mistake to
assume that slowing down is just age. It’s entirely possible that there’s a
treatable medical condition behind not wanting to play or to be petted. If
you see a sudden slow down, it’s definitely time to see the veterinarian.
But remember, even a gradual change can be caused by a medical issue.
A trip to the veterinarian is
warranted if a cat:
* Isn’t grooming itself or has
greasy hair
* Has bald patches
* Has a decreased or increased
appetite or thirst
* Has lost weight
* Is drinking more, eating more,
and still losing weight
* Has blood in the urine
* Is unable to urinate
* Is unable to defecate
* Has a change in litter box
habits
* Is coughing or has difficulty
breathing
* Has a lump
Changes in Senses
Vision, hearing, and taste can be affected in senior cats.
These changes may be so subtle that you may not notice them, because cats
can easily compensate for these slow changes.
For cats, losing clear vision is
not a big problem -- unless that cat is also deaf. (You can test your cat’s
hearing by snapping your fingers behind the cat’s head to see if there is a
response.) A wax build up or an ear infection can affect hearing, so make
sure the ears are normal before assuming the cat is deaf.
If the cat’s senses of taste and
smell have altered, food may not be as appetizing as it once was. If your
cat isn’t eating, try warming up some canned food a tiny bit to see if the
smell and taste are more attractive to the cat that way.
Behavior
Cats mellow with age, and are usually more interested in
lounging in the sun and parking on a lap than they are in racing up and down
the stairs. They are less curious and more sedentary. Other than a general
mellowing, most behavior changes are related to health issues. If a normally
cranky cat can’t get up the effort to be feisty, something is probably
wrong. If a normally-sweet cat is suddenly cranky, that’s also a warning
sign.
Because stress is particularly
bad for senior cats, now is not the best time to add a kitten to your
household. A kitten’s energy and desire for play could cause behavior you
don’t want in your elderly cat.
Senility can affect cats,
although it’s a bit more common in dogs than cats. In veterinary medicine,
senility is called cognitive dysfunction. A cat may pace, forget how to use
the litter box, forget where the box is, or walk around disoriented.
L-Deprenyl, often used in dogs, may help improve cognitive ability in
affected cats. (L-Deprenyl is labeled for dogs, so its use in cats is
off-label.)
Health Issues
Generally speaking, the most common health problems in
aging cats are related to thyroid and kidney issues.
The most common thyroid problem
in older cats is hyperthryoidism. The overproduction of thyroid hormone is
common among older cats. The cat's metabolism just keeps increasing to the
point where the cat can burn off too much body weight. If hyperthyroidism is
left untreated, heart and liver problems will occur, and the cat will get
sicker. There are three types of treatments available for hyperthyroidism:
radiotherapy, surgery, and medication. Which treatment is most appropriate
will depend on the particular case.
Cats tend to have urinary
problems as seniors, either chronic (slow and long term) or acute
(rapid onset and urgent). Treatments vary, depending on the particular
kidney/bladder disease involved, and may include drugs, prescription diets,
and surgery.
Liver issues also crop up fairly
frequently. When an older cat’s liver develops problems, the four most common
causes are hepatic lipidosis (fatty liver); lymphoma (a type of
cancer); feline infectious peritonitis; and
cholangiohepatitis (inflammation and/or infection of the liver and
biliary tree).
Dental issues may occur. Bad
breath, tartar, and gum inflammation can be signs of tooth damage,
periodontal disease, oral neoplasms, oral ulcers, or systemic health issues.
Hypertension is a relatively
common issue in senior cats. Many diseases (such as chronic kidney failure,
hyperthyroidism, glomerular disease, Cushing’s disease, diabetes, etc.) can
be associated with hypertension.
An older cat’s skin is thinner
than a younger cat’s, so older cats are more prone to skin injuries and
diseases.
Arthritis becomes more common as
cats age. Older cats may need some assistance getting onto the bed, or into
litter boxes. Ramps or footstools can provide a step up. Litter boxes may
need to be moved to a more convenient place, especially if your cat doesn’t
want to climb the stairs, jump over a bathtub, etc.
Although each cat’s aging
process is a bit different, regular checkups are necessary. Some cats have
an annual exam until they reach the age of seven, at which point semi-annual
exams may be necessary in order to stay on top of problems before they get
out of control. At the semi-annual exam, your veterinarian will do a
physical examination, and will probably durinalysis, fecal, etc.
Diet
The most critical part of preventive health care for a cat
is keeping a normal weight. On average, a fat cat will have a shorter
lifespan than one who is a normal weight. Geriatric cats need only about 2/3
the number of daily calories that young adult cats do. So, if you don’t
reduce an older cat’s caloric intake, it may gain weight.
If the older cat has already
gained weight, putting it on a diet may be tricky (rapid weight loss is
particularly bad for cats). Talk to your veterinarian to see how your cat’s
weight can best be managed. It may be as simple as getting the cat to play a
bit more while cutting the daily intake just a bit.
Comfort
Because of muscle tone loss and arthritis, a senior cat
will tend to prefer sleeping on something other than a hard surface -- even
if it has always slept in that special spot by the window – so try to
provide a soft bed.
Improved muscle tone will make sleeping
more comfortable, so encourage a bit of daily exercise.
A Fine Time of Life
Cats today have a life expectancy of approximately 20. The
geriatric years are a time when your cat will desire more attention, want
more lap time, etc. Enjoy this special time with your cat.
Date Published: 7/8/2008 4:32:00
PM
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