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Keeping your kitty’s golden years golden
By Sally E. Bahner
Dusty and Coco are 12-years-old. Hemmie is 15, maybe; she was adopted as a stray, so we’re not sure, but she is definitely a senior kitty. And Yuri, who just turned 7 and still charges through the house and up and down the stairs like a kitten, is borderline senior. Translated into human years, it means that Dusty and Coco are 64, Hemmie is 78, and Yuri is 54.
Unlike dogs, where one year of a dog’s life equals seven of a human’s, a cat ages rapidly up to the age of 2 (which equals 24 human years). Thereafter, they age four years for each human year.
Cats today can live 18 to 20 years or more, given the availability of high quality of care and an indoor lifestyle. According to the Humane Society of the United States, free roaming cats live less than three years.
Cats age like other organisms. Bones become brittle, Eyesight and hearing diminish. Digestion problems develop. Kidneys fail. And a whole host of unmentionable physical maladies may occur. Funny, it sounds just like human problems.
James R. Richards, DVM, director of the Cornell Feline Health Center, prefers the term senior to geriatric. "The latter connotes decrepit, and a lot of these older critters are anything but," he says, adding that cats can be considered senior at age 7 to 11. A good relationship with your veterinarian at this stage of your cat’s life is especially important. "Twice yearly wellness exams are the norm or more often if a chronic problem such as chronic kidney disease exists," says Dr. Richards.
"The Great Cat Watch for Wellness Sake," a public information campaign created by the American Association of Feline Practitioners and Fort Dodge, helps cat owners become more aware of the subtle signs of feline illness. The campaign also encourages twice-a-year wellness exams as one of the best ways of maintaining optimum health and preventing disease in pets. According to the American Pet Products Manufacturing Association, cats visit the veterinarian half as often as dogs.
Dr. Richards recommends baseline blood work beginning at age 7 and annually thereafter unless a problem is detected, then more frequent visits might be indicated. Your vet will also check for tartar and gum problems, which are common in senior cats. Tooth brushing is a popular recommendation these days. Yes, I’ve tried it, and it’s not a pleasant procedure. Let’s face it – how much do you enjoy brushing and flossing? With today’s veterinary care, an elderly cat can maintain a quality life even with chronic problems such as kidney disease or diabetes.
A feline’s aging process is best handled by simple observation on the part of her human companions. Since cats are experts at masking signs of illness the changes may be subtle.
Is she using the litter box more often and drinking more water, or missing the litter box? Have her grooming habits changed? Has she lost weight despite a hearty appetite? Hyperthyroidism, kidney failure and diabetes all have those symptoms in common.
Does she meow in the middle of the night for no apparent reason? Does she seem confused or disoriented? Cats also experience cognitive dysfunction disorder, characterized by excessive vocalization, changes in interactions, disorientation, confusion, anxiety, and changes in sleep patterns. Anipryl (selegiline hydrochloride) may be recommended by your veterinarian; it’s been FDA approved for dogs and can be used now for cats in Canada. Cholodin FEL, a dietary supplement that is less expensive than Anipryl, is also available through veterinarians. Is there stiffness in her movements or hesitation or failure to make regular jumps? Cats are not immune to arthritis, but supplements such as glucosamine and Cosequin for Cats can help. So can a chair placed by a favorite windowsill to help her savor outside views and a bench to help her hop into your bed at night.
Check regularly for lumps or masses. Unfortunately, all too many kitties are diagnosed with cancer today. The good news is that advances have been made in diagnosis and treatment, so steps can be taken to maintain a quality of life.
Nutrition is important at every stage of life – senior years are no exception. It’s never too late to switch to a grain-free canned food and minimize carb-laden kibble. According to AAFP, there is no evidence that senior diets are necessary if the cat consumes a nutritionally balanced diet.
Dr. Richards says cat owners can best help their aging felines by watching for those subtle signs of sickness, such as changes in litter box use or the way he or she interacts with others, and twice-yearly exams.
So if Magnolia is 10 or older, observe her a little more carefully and take a few extra minutes with your veterinarian at her next check-up to see what you can do to make her golden years a little easier. Who knows? She may live to be 29 like Lucy from Ontario, Canada, or 31 like Granpa Rexs Allen from Austin, Texas. I sure hope Dusty, Coco, Hemmie and Yuri will live that long.
Signs of Possible Illness
Inappropriate elimination behavior
Changes in interactions
Changes in activity
Changes in sleeping habits
Unexplained weight loss or gain
Changes in food and water consumption
Changes in grooming
Signs of stress
Changes in vocalization
Bad breath
Sally E. Bahner is a writer, editor and feline consultant. She is a member of Cat Writers’ Association and the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants.
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