Is your cat a Senior? The old classic “one human year equals seven cat years” is an easy way to calculate and relate to your cat’s age, but isn’t entirely accurate.
The feline stage of life (kitten, adolescent, adult, senior) determines the comparison between human and cat years. As a general rule of thumb, a cat who is 10 years or older should be considered middle to senior aged, and exams with your vet should start taking place every 6 months to determine the best health care maintenance program for your cat as s/he ages.
While the average age of cats is 12-15 years, (70s in human years), a cat may live to 21 years or longer, depending on genetics, environment, and care. As caregivers of older cats, it is up to us to be aware of the possibilities and to nurture them in their senior years along with monitoring their health constantly. In addition, there are many precautions we can take with younger cats to forestall problems as they age.
When is it time to see the vet? Regular veterinary examinations are important for overall health at any age. In keeping with the American Animal Association, Dr. Janssen likes to see senior pets every 6 months because health needs change so fast and because problems can be caught sooner. As a cat ages, it may be easy to chalk up a new behavior or health issue as “just old age”, but be on the alert for new behaviors and activities (or lack of activity) – these can be clues to your cat’s overall health.
In between the 6 month visits, some red flags that should be seen by Dr. Janssen right away include:
Change in appetite – Any change in appetite – eating less or eating more – should be checked out by your veterinarian. Many illnesses can cause a loss of appetite. A fairly common age-related disease of cats that can cause an increase in appetite is Hyperthyroidism. This condition is caused by a tumor of the thyroid gland, which is benign 98% of the time. Cats can exhibit many signs with this condition, including, but not limited to: weight loss (may be extreme), increased appetite, vomiting, increased heart rate, increased activity levels (old cat suddenly acting like a kitten again). There are treatments available for this condition. If your cat has exhibited any of the above signs, see your vet for an examination. Cats should be fed a diet appropriate for their age and general health (some cats require special or prescription diets).
Change in urine output and thirst – Cats should not drink more water simply because they are old, it is summer time, or the heater is on in the winter. The most common causes of increased water intake are kidney disease and Diabetes Mellitus problems. Urine leakage or having “accidents” out of the box also signals problems, either with infection, loss of sphincter control, or other underlying disease.
Bad breath, bleeding gums – Good dental health is important not only for the teeth and mouth, but overall general health! Bad breath happens to cats, too. Tartar, tooth loss, and oral ulcers are usually the cause of bad breath, and painful as well. Oral cancers, infections, metabolic diseases (kidney disease, Diabetes Mellitus) are also potential causes for bad breath and oral health problems.
Arthritis pain – There are many medications available today to help ease the pain and discomfort of arthritis. See your veterinarian to discuss what medication is right for your pet.
Sudden blindness, hearing loss, head tilt / staggering – These signs can be seen with a variety of causes – infection, poisoning, age-related, cancer, etc. and your vet should be consulted to find the cause and begin any necessary treatment. Note: some cats can develop cataracts in just a few days, with sudden onset diabetes. See your vet as soon as possible.
Cognitive Dysfunction – Cats, like people, can experience age-related dementia. There is a veterinary medication for dementia available that may help some cats. Most of the studies and data on this condition and medical treatments for it are for dogs, but information on cats is available, too.
This list isn’t all-inclusive. If your cat is “not himself or herself”, then it is time for a check up at the veterinary clinic!
How can I keep my pet more comfortable in his senior years? Regular checkups and communication with your vet will ensure that you are doing all that you can medically to help your pet enjoy the senior years. To help your pet at home, here are some pointers:
•Provide a comfortable clean bed – there are many “orthopedic” beds available now at pet supply stores to ensure comfortable rest. •Provide fresh water daily (note changes in water consumption) and a healthy, age-appropriate diet. •Ease distractions – senior pets can be easily startled by or become fearful of: kids, loud noises, and general commotion as they age. Conditions such as arthritis can make the cat fearful of getting hurt (or the potential to get hurt) with sudden movements of kids or being stepped on.