Caring for Senior Cats

Just as individuals are living longer than they performed in the past, cats are living longer too, and there is every need to expect that the “graying” cat population will continue to grow.

Best Way of Caring for Senior Cats

How old is my cat in human years?

Felines are people and, like people, they experience advancing years in their own special ways. Lots of cats begin to experience age-related physical modifications between 7 and ten years of age, and the majority of do so by the time they are 12. The commonly held belief that every “cat year” deserves 7 “human years” is not entirely accurate. In truth, a one-year-old cat is physiologically much like a 16-year-old human, and a two-year-old feline is like an individual of 21. For every year thereafter, each feline year is worth about four human years. Utilizing this formula, a ten-year-old feline is comparable age smart to a 53-year-old person, a 12-year-old cat to a 61-year-old individual, and a 15-year-old cat to an individual of 73.

Advancing age is not a disease

Aging is a natural procedure. Although lots of intricate physical changes accompany advancing years, age in and of itself is not a disease. Although many conditions that affect older cats are not correctable, they can typically be managed. The essential to making sure your senior feline has the healthiest and highest quality of life possible is to recognize and lower factors that might be health risks, spot disease as early as possible, right or delay the progression of disease, and improve or maintain the health of the body’s systems.

What takes place as my cat ages?

The aging process is accompanied by many physical and behavioral changes:

Compared with younger felines, the body immune system of older cats is less able to fend off foreign invaders. Chronic diseases frequently connected with aging can impair immune function even further.
Dehydration, a consequence of lots of illness common to older cats, even more decreases blood flow and resistance.
The skin of an older feline is thinner and less flexible, has lowered blood circulation, and is more prone to infection.

Older felines groom themselves less effectively than do more youthful cats, sometimes resulting in hair matting, skin smell, and inflammation.

The claws of aging felines are often thick, thick, and brittle.
In humans, aging modifications in the brain add to a loss of memory and changes in character frequently described as senility. Similar symptoms may be seen in senior cats: wandering, extreme meowing, evident disorientation, and avoidance of social interaction.
For numerous reasons, hearing loss prevails in felines of sophisticated age.
Changes in the eyes. A minor haziness of the lens and a lacy appearance to the iris (the colored part of the eye) are both typical age-related changes, however neither seems to reduce a feline’s vision to any appreciable extent. However, a number of illness, especially those associated with high blood pressure, can seriously and irreversibly impair a feline’s capability to see.
Dental disease is extremely typical in older cats and can impede eating and cause substantial pain.

Although various illness can cause an anorexia nervosa, in healthy senior cats, a reduced sense of odor might be partially responsible for a loss of interest in eating. However, the discomfort connected with dental disease is a most likely cause of hesitation to eat.
Feline kidneys undergo a variety of age-related modifications that may ultimately cause impaired function; kidney failure is a common disease in older felines, and its symptoms are exceptionally varied.
Degenerative joint disease, or arthritis, prevails in older felines. Although the majority of arthritic felines do not become overtly lame, they may have problem accessing to litter boxes and food and water dishes, particularly if they have to leap or climb stairs to get to them.

Hyperthyroidism (typically leading to overactivity); hypertension (high blood pressure, normally a result of either kidney failure or hyperthyroidism), diabetes mellitus; inflammatory bowel disease; and cancer are all examples of conditions that, though often seen in more youthful cats, become more prevalent in cats as they age.

Is my cat sick, or is it just old?

Never ever presume that changes you see in your older feline are just due to aging, and are for that reason untreatable. Owners of older felines often notice changes in their cat’s habits, however consider these changes an unavoidable and untreatable result of aging. However, any alteration in your cat’s habits or physical condition should notify you to contact your veterinarian.

Disease of practically any organ system, or any condition that causes pain or hinders movement can add to modifications in behavior. For instance:

A fearful feline may not end up being aggressive up until it is in pain (e.g., from dental disease) or less mobile (e.g., from arthritis).
The increased urine production that often arises from illness common to aging cats (e.g., kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, or hyperthyroidism) may cause the litter box to become soiled faster than anticipated. The increased soil and smell might prompt felines to get rid of in unsuitable areas.
Many cats that do not mark their area with urine might start to do so if a condition like hyperthyroidism develops.

Felines with painful arthritis might have problem gaining access to a litter box, specifically if negotiating stairs is required. Even climbing up into package might hurt for such felines, triggering them to get rid of in inappropriate areas.
Older cats might be more conscious changes in the home because their capability to adapt to unfamiliar situations decreases with age.

How can I help keep my senior feline healthy?

Close observation is one of the most crucial tools you need to assist keep your senior feline healthy. You may want to perform a fundamental physical examination on a weekly basis. Ask your veterinarian to show you how to do it and what to search for. You will discover it much easier if you simply make the examination an extension of the way you generally interact with your feline. For example, while you are rubbing your feline’s head or scratching its chin, gently raise the upper lips with your thumb or forefinger so you can take a look at the teeth and gums. In the very same way, you can raise the ear flaps and examine the ear canals. While you are stroking your cat’s fur, you can check for abnormal lumps or bumps, and examine the health of the skin and coat.

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Daily Brushing

Daily brushing or combing gets rid of loose hairs, preventing them from being swallowed and forming hairballs. Brushing likewise stimulates blood flow and sebaceous gland secretions, leading to a healthier skin and coat. Older felines may not use scratching posts as regularly as they did when they were more youthful; for that reason, nails need to be examined weekly and cut if essential.

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Daily Tooth Brushing

Brushing your feline’s teeth with a pet-specific tooth paste or powser is the single most efficient method to avoid dental disease. Dental disease is more common in older cats and can result in other health issue, so preserving oral health is necessary. A lot of felines will allow their teeth to be brushed, although it might be required to slowly introduce your feline to tooth brushing over a number of weeks to months. See this video for guidelines on how to brush your cat’s teeth.

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Proper Nutrition

Numerous cats get heavier and even obese as they age. If your feline is overweight, you must ask your vet to assist you customize the diet so that a normal body condition can be brought back. Other cats in fact become too thin as they age. Weight loss can be caused by a variety of medical issues such as kidney failure, and special diets might be useful in handling these issues.

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Lowering Stress

Reducing ecological stress whenever possible is essential because older felines are usually less versatile to alter. Unique arrangements must be produced older cats that should be boarded for an amount of time. Having a familiar things, such as a blanket or toy, might avoid the feline from becoming too distraught in a weird environment. A better alternative is to have the older feline cared for at home by a next-door neighbor, friend, or relative. Introducing a brand-new family pet may be a traumatic experience for older cats, and must be avoided whenever possible. Transferring to a new home can be similarly stressful, nevertheless, stress can be minimized by giving the older feline more love and attention during times of emotional turmoil.

Felines are specialists at concealing health problem, and elderly felines are no exception. It prevails for a feline to have a major medical problem, yet disappoint any sign of it up until the condition is quite advanced. Because many illness can be handled more effectively when found and treated early in their course, it is necessary for owners of senior cats to thoroughly monitor their habits and health.

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How can my vet aid?

Simply as your observations can assist find disease in the early stages, so too can regular veterinary assessments. Your vet may recommend examining your healthy senior feline more often than a more youthful cat. If your feline has a medical condition, more frequent assessments might likewise be essential. During your feline’s examination, the vet will collect a total medical and behavioral history, perform an extensive physical examination in order to assess every organ system, inspect your cat’s weight and body condition, and compare them to previous evaluations. A minimum of once a year, particular tests, including blood tests, fecal assessment, and urine analysis, might be suggested. In this way, conditions can be discovered and dealt with early, and ongoing medical conditions can be evaluated. Both are required to keep your senior cat in the best possible health.

Should I adopt an older cat?

An unique group of senior cats that deserves particular attention is older cats in shelters. While young felines and kittycats are attractive to most prospective adopters due to their cuteness and playfulness, senior cats are frequently ignored by people thinking about embracing a cat. If individuals keep their minds open, they will find that there are countless older cats that would make outstanding animals and would brighten up any home. Older cats in shelters are frequently more calm, are more likely to be litter trained, and can offer terrific companionship to anybody kind enough to take them into their home. The next time you are at the shelter, spend some time to check out these mature felines. Taking them home can make both of your lives richer, better, and more satisfying.