Kitties Are Getting Older Ingrid Braulini

Kitties Are Getting Older

Ingrid Braulini - Grantham, NH

Cats have the luxury of living longer health if possible in time to do something. than most dogs; in fact, indoor cats like Tom and Lola can have a longer lifespan than we would expect from many pets. With the right genes and proper care, including neutering, many cats can live to be quite elderly. The oldest cat on record lived 38 years! Generally speaking, they reach middle age around their 7th year, their senior years at about 11-12, and their elder years after 14-15. Many cats live until their early 20’s, although their chances of looking spiffy and running after dust balls and mice are probably not up to par with that 6-month old kitten.

How is it that some cats make it way past their middle age? Like with humans and dogs, a lot of it is found in their breed, genetic make-up, the time spent in either a shelter or wandering the streets, their food, and their maintenance. Just like the rest of us, some cats lead a pampered life. They get the best food and care, lots of attention, plenty of toys, and stimulation but they die at an earlier age from some condition or disease. If you have been doing a head-to tail-assessment every month you will catch the changes in their Your first aid-trained pet sitter is probably doing it too for her own knowledge. They don’t like surprises. Many issues more likely in elderly cats can range from kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, dental issues, and the mother of them all: obesity. Now you throw in old age, and you can add dementia (yes indeed! Even in cats), and/or sensory loss. How to help avoid and to cope with some of these changes is through prevention and maintenance. Prevention is something many cat lovers don’t understand. After all, don’t cats pretty much do it all on their own? The same goes with maintenance, right? Cats are singularly not “needy” like dogs, but they still need that annual vet check-up until they are 12, and then in best case scenario, every 6 months after that. Just like our teeth. If they are outdoor cats they need to be vaccinated against all kinds of nasty stuff in addition to the regulars like rabies, FVRCP, and Feline Leukemia. Ideally, they should be kept indoors (good luck!) as they age so they don’t wander off, get hit by a car, or be eaten by something. One of the pleasures you can look out for as your senior cat ages is the need for more bathroom breaks. Best to keep a couple of extra litter pans around just in case Tom decides going into the basement is just a bit too far or the steps are too much trouble. You should have had Lola and Tom on a mixed diet of grainfree canned food and dry kibble for their kidney, urinary tract, and dental health anyway. But if not, now is the time to do that and put Tinkerbell on that diet while you’re at it. Their kidneys will thank you. Keep the fish content of those cans at a minimum for maximum benefit. You may want to increase the number of times Tom eats a day to make it easier for him and add a bit of broth or water to his wet food if he seems to have digestion and or dental problems. You may also have a roaming senior: Lola roams around at night in the dark crying. This can be due to dementia or a sense of loneliness. Regardless, the answer can sometimes be as simple as helping her find her favorite sleeping nook. If she hears your voice when you call out it reassures her that you are close. She may want to get up on your bed, but arthritis could be preventing her. Now is the time to set up blocks or a low stool so she can get up more easily. Vision may be going on good ole Tom so

other ways of communicating may be necessary, You might try making a specific sound like clapping or whistling when you need him to react. Since he can’t see danger zones, putting up kiddie gates at stairs or closing doors to rooms and closets may help him. If hearing loss is a problem, use something with a flashing light or flick lights on and off to get his attention.

Human-caused age issues are those that cause even the youngest of cats like Tinkerbell to suffer. Smoking (you, not the cat) is one of the number one killers in all pets. People who smoke and have pets generally are burying the animals sooner than later. Cancer, heart disease, and respiratory disease are directly influenced by smoking. Another slow killer can be chlorinated water. You should not give your cat chlorinated water if at all possible especially if it is highly chlorinated as it can cause bladder cancer.

A big human-caused issue is obesity. Being a fat-cat is NOT supposed to relate to your tubby Lola’s figure. Lola is going to have mega-problems if she is obese, including possible diabetes, joint issues, pancreatitis, cancer, heart disease, and a fatty liver. Rules for any chubby cat, do not let her graze, give her exact times and smaller amounts to eat several times a day. However, make sure that what she gets during the day does not add up to the amount you have been feeding her all along. Cut WAY down on treats. Treats may look small but they are packed with fat and calories. Make sure that she gets lots of exercise. Have her chase a feather, light beam, mechanical mouse, or other exercise toys.

Seizures in many cats can be idiopathic (having no obvious cause), or they can be age-relate, be caused by epilepsy, poisoning, head trauma, tumors, liver disease, diabetes, or hyperthyroidism. If your cat develops seizures keep him calm, reduce any noise or light, and note the time and duration of the seizure for your files. If this is the first seizure, when it has ended, contact your vet and tell the person the circumstances, time, and duration of the seizure. In some cases, there are medications that can help.

Age is not a disease, it is a fact of life. It is important that you learn to do a headto-tail assessment on every pet you own so that you have a standard to which to compare not only their health but also their age progression. If you know how your cat has developed since you first adopted her, you will be more informed when she goes in for a vet appointment. It is also important information for her pet sitter or caregiver.

Ingrid Braulini is the owner of Pet First Aid & Wellness. She is a certified Pet Tech and Wellness Instructor, a NAPPS Board Member, and NAPPS Certified. For more information, visit www.PetAidClasses.com