There are almost as many pet cats as dogs in Australia. Increasingly, with improved nutrition, health care and management changes, more and more of these cats are living to greater ages. In America, over the last 10 years there has been a 15% increase in cats over 10 years of age and the proportion of the feline population ages 15 years or older has increased from 5% to 14%. From this we can see that elderly cats form an ever-increasing group of animals that need to be cared for.
Why should we treat old cats differently from young cats?
With advancing ages body functions change. As cats age all of their body systems are affected. Reduction in exercise may result in reduced muscle tone, which may further reduce the cat’s ability to jump, climb or exercise. There also may be a stiffening of the joints because of chronic degenerative joint damage. When coupled with a reduced metabolic rate (common in older individuals), lace of exercise can result in a fall of energy requirements of up to 40%. If a cat maintains a good appetite its daily intake must therefore be reduced to prevent excess weight gain. More recent research on the nutritional requirements for older cats, suggests that a diet higher in protein and fat can support maintaining weight and maintaining healthy organ function. Feeding a fresh balanced diet appropriate to their obligate carnivorous needs will also support dental health and cognitive function.
With advancing age medication must be given with ever increasing care. Changes in physiology not only affect food absorption, they also affect the way many drugs are metabolised. Liver and kidney disease occur commonly in older cats. When coupled with mild dehydration this can result in reduced clearance rates and marked elevations in drug concentrations circulating within the blood. When treating geriatric patients, the dose and dosing intervals of some drugs may therefore need to be altered. It is important that you work with appropriately qualified health professionals when looking to support your cat’s senior health.
What diseases do older cats suffer from?
The major diseases seen in older cats are hormonal diseases (such as hyperthyroidism and diabetes mellitus), kidney disease, neoplasia (cancer), infections, periodontal disease and arthritis. However, older cats can also be affected by diseases more commonly seen on younger animals (such as inflammatory bowel disease) and road traffic accidents. It is important to remember that while young animals have only one disorder at a time, this is often not so in older patients, where diagnosis and treatment may be complicated by the concurrence of multiple interacting disease processes. While it is true to say that old age is not a disease, it is important that we pay particular attention to our older cats, so that if they develop disease we can recognise it, and treat it early, and so maintain their quality of life for as long as possible.
What can I do to make my old cat as happy as possible?
Most cats age gracefully and require few changes to their regimen. Since older cats do not generally respond well to change, if changes must be made it is important they are introduced slowly. Elderly cats should have easy access to warm, draught free sleeping areas, situated where the cat can sleep safely without fear of disturbance.
It is advisable to feed older cats on a fresh or lightly cooked diet with adequate moisture content, kibble is not species appropriate. They should always have access to fresh drinking water. Regular raw meaty bones for diet and tooth and gum health and/or dentistry checks to maintain dental hygiene. A cats age they often reduce their scratching behaviours, ensuring their nails are kept well cut to avoid pain and growing into the paw is essential. Similarly, as cats age some show reduced ability to control urination and the passing of bowel motions. Due to the risk of accidents occurring; it may therefore be necessary to allow access to an indoor litter tray. As well as all of the above-mentioned regular health checks also help in maintaining health and documenting any changes that could become an issue later on.