Ageing Signs & Symptons
For many pet owners, an ageing pet is an old friend in need of a little special care. Taking time to re-evaluate your senior cat's changing nutritional needs is a small kindness you can do for him/her that can have a big impact on your cat's quality of life.
Proper Nutrition
Your cat is considered a senior citisen after the age of ten and many cats live well past 14 years of age, so much of their adult lives may be spent as a "senior". As cats age, their dietary needs change and their energy requirements decrease. A lower calorie, higher protein diet is appropriate to maintain lean body mass and promote a healthy immune system. Dietary antioxidants, including vitamins A and E, have an important role in helping support healthy immune function. A lack of these and other essential nutrients in the diet could result in damage to the wall or membrane of cells throughout the body. Also, some senior cats may develop health conditions that may benefit from special, veterinary-dispensed diets.
If switching foods, gradually mix the new food with the previous food over the course of 7-to-10 days. Some guidelines for feeding your cat during his/her mature years:
- Your cat should be fed a food appropriate for older cats.
- Older pets are often more finicky about what they'll eat and may prefer to eat smaller portions at a sitting. Some have fewer and more sensitive teeth than in their younger days and find it harder to eat food that requires a lot of chewing.
- You should measure the amount of food you give your cat so that you know how much you should increase or decrease the portions if your cat starts losing or gaining weight. This also allows you to monitor food intake, as changes in appetite may indicate a health problem that should be investigated by a veterinarian.
Behaviour
It's important to pay close attention to your elder cat's behaviour as many neurological changes are taking place during this time that can affect his/her normal behaviours. If you notice any of these signs, you should consult a veterinarian.
| WHAT YOU MAY SEE | WHAT IT MAY MEAN |
| Eats more food than usual but is not gaining weight | Hyperthyroidism (overproduction of hormones by the thyroid gland); early diabetes; parasites |
| Drinks more water than usual or drinks more frequently (especially if muscles are weak) | Diabetes; kidney disease; hyperthyroidism |
| Chewing is difficult; eats less; unable to hold food in mouth while eating; bleeding gums; bad breath; loose teeth | Gum disease; a mouth tumor; broken or diseased teeth |
| Constipation | Colon problems, poor diet; hairballs |
| Frequent colds, infections, and generalised illness | Impaired immune system |
Preventative Health Care
You can help ensure that your senior cat lives an active, pain-free life by providing proper preventative care. Just six months for a senior cat is the equivalent of about five years for a human. Given this rapid "ageing" process, your cat should have more frequent health exams - at home and with the veterinarian. Visit the veterinarian every six months, so any illnesses during this life stage are caught early, including cancer, cardiac, renal and thyroid problems.
EXERCISE - Because their metabolism has slowed down with age, older cats may be prone to gaining weight. Excess weight can contribute to or exacerbate certain age-related health problems such as diabetes. So make it a point to provide your senior cat with some form of physical activity for at least a few minutes a day. You should consult your veterinarian for recommendations on appropriate activities for your cat's age and health condition.
Veterinarian Care Guidelines for Senior Cats
Regular health care is essential throughout your cat's adult life, particularly as your cat gets older. In general, healthy senior cats should visit the veterinarian every six months. Use this checklist to help guide you through your cat's senior years and ensure you're on top of all your cat's physical health needs, but work closely with your veterinarian to establish the appropriate health plan for your cat. As an easy reminder to keep on track with the bi-annual veterinarian exams, you may want to schedule the six-month check-up six months into the year.
AGES 7 AND ABOVE
At the Vet - Regular health checks are advisable every 6 months.
Visits may include:
- Physical examination
- Weight analysis and Body Condition Score
- Nutrition counseling as necessary
As recommended by veterinarian:
- Blood drawn for CBC
- Blood chemistry profile
- Thyroid profile
- Fecal examination
- Heartworm test
- Annual Core Vaccinations Boosters For:
- Feline Distemper
- Rhinotracheitis
- Calicivirus (FVR-CP)
- Non-Core vaccinations may include:
- Rabies Vaccination (each year according to local law by your veterinarian)
- Chlamydia (Pneumonitis)(where chlamydia is a concern)
- Feline Leukemia Virus (FeLV)
- Feline Infectious Peritonitis (FIP)
IMPORTANT: As your cat gets older, give it a thorough home health check every week to catch any signs of ill health. Conduct a Rib Check and assess your cat's body condition on a monthly basis, as senior cats are prone to gaining weight.
Things to Consider - Things to discuss with your veterinarian:
- Any changes in behaviour, activity level or appearance
- WEIGHT - Is your cat a healthy weight? If not, how can you tell?
- EXERCISE - Is your cat getting any? What type and how often?
Is the activity still appropriate for your cat's age and health condition?
A FEW THINGS YOU CAN DO AT HOME:
- Check your cat's eyes for discharge. Has your cat shown any sign of decreasing vision like bumping into things?
- Check the ear for a bad smell, which could indicate an ear infection.
- Check the fur and scalp for any black specks of flea dirt. Increased dandruff can be a sign of poor diet, fleas or underlying liver problems
- Look for matted fur: if mats occur in a shorthaired cat, painful gums could be preventing your cat from its usual grooming routine.
- Check your cat's anus: a small white rice grain may indicate your cat has a tapeworm.
Summary
Older cats can experience many changes in the functions of their bodies. Some cats may have more pronounced changes than others, and in some cats the changes may start to occur at a younger age. Knowing what changes to expect can help you and your cat adjust to them when and if they do come. There are many ways we can help the older cat adapt to these changes.
You will need to monitor your older cat more closely. Do not disregard a change in your cat's activity or behaviour as 'just being old age.' Many of the changes can also be signs of a more serious disease. Consult your veterinarian and be sure to discuss with her/him any concerns you have about your older cat during his regular physical exam.
