Old Age is not a Disease

Feline Geriatric Health

Cats are living longer, and they lead better quality lives than ever before, thanks to improved nutrition, veterinary care, and educated owners. Understanding your aging feline is the first step in providing the best possible care for them in their golden years. Cats become ‘seniors’ by age 7 or 8, which is the perfect time to begin a geriatric health plan. This way you can hope to detect disorders early enough to provide proper medical attention.  A geriatric health plan may include a complete physical exam, senior blood work, urinalysis, and blood pressure. This gives your veterinarian a good baseline for all of your kitty’s basic organ functions and can help reveal any underlying problems.

Aging is a natural process. Although many changes occur as your pet advances in years, age in and of itself is not a disease. The aging process is accompanied by many physical and behavioral changes in your cat. The immune system is less effective against infection, dehydration can diminish blood circulation, and elderly cats have more trouble grooming themselves which can lead to fur matting and possible skin inflammation. Symptoms similar to human senility are often seen in elderly cats: wandering, excessive meowing, apparent disorientation, and avoidance of social interaction. Dental disease is also very common in older cats and can hinder eating and cause significant pain. They may also experience arthritis. Although most arthritic cats don’t become overtly lame, they may have difficulty gaining access to litter boxes and food and water dishes, particularly if they have to jump or climb stairs to get to them. It may be necessary to relocate litter boxes to more accessible locations to prevent elderly cats from eliminating in inappropriate areas. Purchasing a litter box with low sides, cutting down high sides, or constructing a ramp may help older cats gain entry more easily. So, never assume that changes you see in your older cat are simply due to old age, and therefore untreatable. Any alteration in your cat’s behavior or physical condition should alert you to contact your veterinarian.

So, how do you keep your senior pet healthy? Daily brushing, nail trims, proper nutrition, exercise, and reduction of stress can all help to keep your kitty healthy and happy. Brushing the fur daily can help prevent hairballs from being swallowed, and it also stimulates blood circulation. The claws of aging felines are often overgrown, thick, and brittle, so trimming their nails often is very helpful. Proper nutrition for your elderly cat’s stage of life is also vital. To ensure proper nutrition, select a balanced and complete diet that is formulated according to guidelines established by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). Subtle changes in weight are often the first sign of disease, so weighing your pet often is a good idea. Keep in mind that progressive weight loss can be caused by serious medical conditions such as kidney failure, diabetes, cancer, hyperthyroidism, or various other medical problems. You should always notify your veterinarian of any significant changes in your pet’s body condition. Exercise as your pet gets older is also very important for overall health. As cats get older, they often become less agile as arthritis develops and muscles begin to atrophy. Find small ways to keep your cat’s muscles from wasting away while they are still in the younger geriatric age ranges (age 7-12 or even older) Try putting treats on the top of the cat tree or on window sills so they will stand on their rear legs to reach them. This will make them use their rear leg muscles; try to do this weekly, if not daily. Or try making a line out of their dry food around a room in the house where they have to weave in and around, up and down to eat their meal. Anything to promote movement will help in the future as the pet advances in age. Regularly engaging your cat in moderate play can also promote muscle tone, increase blood circulation, and help reduce weight in cats that are too heavy. Always be cautious of your pet’s exercise tolerance, and don’t force excessive activity. Reducing environmental stress whenever possible is very important since older cats are less adaptable to change. If you are going away for a period of time, it may be a better idea to have someone come into your home to watch your cat as opposed to boarding them in an unfamiliar facility. In their ‘golden years’ you may have to adapt to your kitty and its needs. Food and water may need to be moved to a more convenient location (for the cat, not necessarily for you) so they have easier access to it. A favorite resting area may need to be kept excitement-free so they have a quiet place to relax. Also try not to suddenly wake your sleeping kitty because they need their sleep. Also keep in mind that cats are very good at hiding illness. They may not show signs of a serious condition until it is well-advanced. Since most diseases can be managed more successfully when detected and treated early, it is important for you to carefully monitor your cat’s behavior and health with the help of your veterinarian. If you think of your pet as you would an elderly family member, it is easy to understand why these things are so important. They look to you to take the best possible care of them, and they try to return the favor through years of love, purrs, rubs, and head-butts.