Care of the Older Cat - Factsheet

The life span of a cat should be about fourteen years, assuming no accidents. There is growing evidence that by taking care of certain aspects in the older cat their life can be extended further, and the quality of this extra life will be good. There is nothing new about a healthy diet and exercise helping in humans, and some of the research can be used in cats. However, cats are not small humans. Their needs are very different. Try making a cat exercise!

This fact sheet is designed to alert you to potential problems and possible precautions that can be taken. By appreciating more about how your cat's body works then with simple advice we hope that you will be together longer.

We will discuss some measures whereby we can help you. However it will be up to you whether you ask for this help: We will not insist on you using our services. This document is solely to inform you as to what is available.

Signs to look for

1. Increased thirst. Most major problems cause an increase in thirst. These include kidney and liver problems, the former being prevalent in cats over ten years of age.

2. Increased appetite. Cats can produce too much thyroid hormone. This is not a cancerous condition, but the result is that they become 'hyper', eat a lot and get very demanding. The amount of food they eat becomes insufficient to keep them nourished, and they lose weight.

3. Weight loss. Other conditions besides thyroid problems also result in weight loss, and these are characterised by a decrease in appetite. The general rule is that the sooner things are checked then the less the damage will have been done. Treatment may or may not be possible, depending on the problem, but unless it is investigated then you will not know.

4. Bad breath. Tartar builds up on the cheek teeth and bacteria hide in it, gradually moving down to the root, at which point there is pain and the tooth becomes loose. Because this can take many months the cat may be in discomfort for a long time before it is noted. We now believe that cats have toothache in just the same way that people do. Whereas with us we have the ability to say so, and seek help sooner cats, on the other hand, still need to eat, and therefore have to endure the discomfort while they do so. Watch out for gulping of food as a sure sign of mouth pain.

Dentals require anaesthetics, but with the modern human agents that are available then the risks are reduced to a minimum, even for elderly patients. Indeed there is more likelihood of general illness causing the cat's demise through neglected dental problems than through an anaesthetic being used.

Precautions that can be taken

There is no need to restrict your cat to such an extent that he or she does not enjoy life. With a few simple measures your cat should live a longer life and with a better quality too. Our patients cannot be told what is good for them nor why they can't have certain things. Too rigid a regime may confuse them into thinking that they have done something wrong and hence have been denied their expected 'perks.'

Successful prevention measures should always start with the patient in mind...

1. Consider the diet. Avoid too much protein, and switch to a food that is designed for older cats. They will be balanced for the older cat's needs. (More potassium, less protein and food that is more easily digestible)

2. Attend to dental problems before there is pain, and before the mouth infection has a chance to affect the kidneys. (80% of cats over 10 years of age have compromised kidneys).

3. Check how much is being drunk and eaten. Do this on a monthly basis, but always take an 'average' over three days. Cats sometimes just don't want to eat for a day!

4. Take advantage of our free quarterly checks that we offer to older pets. Remember that early diagnosis and intervention can be very successful and extend your cat's life by years. It takes courage to face up to potentially bad news. But one thing is for sure: It will be bad news if you leave any problem for too long. And as cats can't decide for themselves, then someone has to take responsibility for their needs and seek treatment if any is possible.

When to call for advice

Any problem can seem daunting before the full facts are known. To start the ball rolling you can always call us. We don't charge for phone advice.

The most common requests for help involve

- Lack of appetite
- Increased appetite
- Increased thirst
- Weight loss
- Poor coat
- Bad breath
- Change in character.

Most people know their cats very well and quickly pick up problems, often long before any clinical signs develop. It is usually then a matter of deciding when to seek help. Cats over the age of ten should be seen more quickly if they are vaguely unwell than perhaps is necessary in younger animals. Also, older cats who get into fights may benefit from antibiotics as their bodies cannot fight off infection so efficiently. Each infection does just a little more damage to the kidneys and if nothing else, your main aim in caring for an older cat should be to help these.

Successful treatment depends on a team approach: you, us, and the patient!