Aging Cats

Aging changes take place a great deal more rapidly in a cat than in a person. In many ways, a one year old cat's body is considered to be in a similar condition to that of a 16 year old child. By two years old, he is more like a 21 year old person. Each successive year for a cat is equivalent to four human years: for example, a nine year old cat has an equivalent human age of 49 years.

It's impossible to specify a precise age, though many experts believe that most cats should be considered geriatric from a medical point when they reach the age of 10.

Cats now live longer than ever before. Some cats have lived into their 30s, but the average age for well-cared for house cats is around 15 years old.

Altered cats generally tend to live longer than those who have not been spayed or castrated. This may be because intact cats tend to roam more, and as a result, may be prone to injury and disease associated with exposure to environmental and health hazards. In general, cross-bred cats and those of very mixed origins are believed to have a longer life expectancy than pure-bred cats.

A cat's body is a remarkable creation. It is able to repair itself and has built-in spare parts: for instance, a cat has two kidneys, but actually needs only part of one kidney to stay healthy. Inevitably, the years take their toll, and like humans, cat experience numerous bodily changes associated with aging.

Improve your cat's chances of enjoying a long life by providing good nutrition, excerise, and health care, together with special care during the last third of his expected life - his golden years.

The following are just some of the common problems that may be faced by the older cat:

  • Decreased sensitivity to thirst, leading to possible dehyration.
  • Decreased body temperature control, leading to a much reduced tolerance of heat and cold.
  • A shallow sleep pattern, resulting in irritability.
  • Decreased sensitivity of hearing, sight, taste, and smell.
  • Greater susceptibility to infection.
  • Periodontal disease and tooth loss.
  • Decreased saliva production and swallowing difficulties.
  • Mouth ulcers.
  • Digestive upsets, due to decreases in the ability of the stomach and intestines to digest food.
  • Arthritis and joint stiffness.
  • Skin abnormalities, such as coat dullness, alopecia, and also abnormally shaped and brittle claws.
  • Decreased kidney and liver function.
  • Cancer.
  • Muscle weakness.
  • Weaker and more brittle bones.
  • High blood pressure.
  • Anemia.
  • Breathing becomes less efficient at delivering oxygen to the blood, because the lungs become less flexible and the muscles involved in breathing weaken. This may contribute to problems such as tiredness on exercise, and altered behavior associated with senility.
  • Decreased numbers of cells in the brain are thought to lead to slow reaction times, partial memory loss, irritability, and disorientation. The first sign of senility is often the loss of normal elimination habits.
Providing your cat with a good diet, appropriate levels of excerise, a stimulating life style and good health care from his kittenhood will make sure that he approaches old age in the best possible shape. From his tenth birthday onward, you should pay particular attention to the following:

  1. Diet - An older cat may benefit from the following changes to his dietary regime:

    a) Less calories when he becomes less active. You should weigh your cat regularly, and if his weight begins to creep up, cut back on his foods accordingly.
    b) A more palatable diet (for example: warmed, moist foods), because of his decreased senses of smell and taste.
    c) Avoidance of excess protein, phosphorus and sodium, increased amounts of vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, and E, and extra unsaturated fatty acids and zinc are nutritional modifications considered appropriate for older cats. Your veterinarian will assist you in providing a high-quality diet for your aging cat.

  2. Health Checks - The older cat should have semi-annual health examinations. You will be much more likely to notice early symptoms of some common diseases that affect the geriatric cat, such as arthritis and cancer.

  3. Monitoring - Keep a close watch on your cat's urine and feces and monitor his water intake. You should pay particular attention to any changes in your cat's behavior, no matter how subtle. They may be significant. If problems in an older cat are identified in their early stages, much more can be done to tackle them. Anesthetics are now safer than they ever have been, and it is not uncommon for cats in their late teens and twenties to undergo major surgery successfully.

  4. Preventative Health Care - Continue with dental, intestinal and skin parasite prevention, and grooming. Peridonatal disease is a major problem with older cats, so routine toothbrushing should be continued in those who will accept it. Grooming regularly maintains optimum cat and skin health. It can also be extremely therapeutic for the older cat.

  5. Exercise - Older cats, including those with arthritis, need regular excerise to maintain muscle bulk and strength, provide mental stimulation, and encourage bowel function. Even an exclusively indoor cat must have play time. Do not let him sleep for hours at a time.
Your veterinarian will help you evaluate your cat's life style. On your cat's 10th birthday, start his new health care regime.