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Senior Cat Care
Effects of ageing As with people, old age brings a number of changes to how the body works. • As old cats are often less active, their muscle tone tends to reduce which may further reduce their ability to run, jump and climb. Lack of exercise contributes to the stiffening of joints. • Frequently older cats suffer from a poor appetite as the senses of taste and smell often deteriorate with age. Teeth problems are common and can discourage eating. • Bowel function may deteriorate with age, causing problems such as reduced ability to absorb food nutrients. This can lead to weight loss. Some elderly cats suffer from constipation. • Elderly cats have decreased thirst which puts them at risk of becoming dehydrated. This is particularly dangerous in cats with kidney problems. • Older cats tend to sleep less heavily but more frequently. • Old cats often have poor coats which may make them less resistant to the cold and wet. Grooming Older cats may be less supple than when younger and may require more help with grooming. Brushing a cat can be very relaxing and is usually enjoyable to both cat and owner. Daily grooming ensures quality time set aside exclusively for your cat which may otherwise be forgotten if you have a busy schedule. Extremely old cats may pay little attention to their hygiene, but they will appreciate it if you help keep them clean, comfortable and sweet smelling. If you have two companionable cats they may help to groom each other. Brushing removes dead hair from the coat and helps prevent matted fur and also prevent furballs since the cat will swallow less hair when it grooms itself. A fine toothed comb will help remove parasites from the skin. The area under the tail may sometimes need a gentle wipe with damp tissue or a pet wipe. Not many cats like having their belly combed and there is no need to press the point unless the belly fur becomes matted. As well as keeping the coat in good condition, grooming helps to establish a strong bond between cats and between cat and owner. If a cat does not groom itself, its coat quickly develops mats. Cats which lack teeth may have problems preventing mats, since they need teeth to help "comb out" mats. Daily brushing will prevent shaving or clipping later on. Mats are commonest on the flanks, inside thighs, under the "armpits" and in the ruff (of longhairs). Mats containing cat litter or faeces can form under the tail or on the back legs. Longhaired elderly cats may become messy around the backside; they simply cannot do the necessary contortions to groom this area. Because many cats don't like being combed in this area, some owners trim the fur under the tail (britches) to stop faeces, cat litter and mud sticking to it. Cats rarely need to be bathed, but if your cat does become very dirty a bath may be necessary. Most cat care books will tell you how to do this. Only use a specialist cat/kitten shampoo which must be rinsed off thoroughly. Dry the cat off in a warm room and make sure it is completely dry before allowing it outdoors. Sleeping Places Most cats are happy to sleep in a blanket-lined box or on chairs or beds if allowed. If you want to buy your elderly cat its own cat bed or basket choose one which is large enough that the cat does not have to curl up tightly; older cats are less supple and less able to fit themselves into small cat beds. Most elderly cats find beanbag beds comfortable as the polystyrene beans keep in the warmth and provide support for a rickety body or stiff limbs. Make sure your cat's bed is situated away from draughts. No cat likes to sleep in a draught, but this is particularly important with older cats as they cannot withstand extremes of temperature as easily as youngsters. They have less insulating fat than young cats and need a cosy, draught-free bed. Most will automatically seek out the warmest spot in the house. Placing your cat's bed beside a warm radiator at night ensures that Puss stays warm, especially in winter. A covered hot-water bottle or a heated pad, designed specially for pets and available from larger pet-shops, is useful if your cat feels the cold or is recovering from illness. Many cats like to sleep through cold spells and an older cat will usually snooze through the colder times of year. Shake out the cat's bedding frequently to keep it fresh and vacuum it or dust it with flea powder to kill parasites. The bed or blanket should be laundered from time to time to freshen it up. Make sure it is completely dry before allowing the cat to sleep on it again as sleeping on damp bedding is unhealthy. Some older cats call out at night when the house is quiet and they feel lonely or in need of reassurance. Placing the cat-basket in your own bedroom may solve this. Many people allow their cat to sleep on the bed and as long as both you and the cat are healthy this is safe. Other cats become more settled and call less; you'll quickly discover if your cat is a night-time caller. Cats are naturally most active at dusk and dawn and this is when most of the crying out is likely to occur. They simply want to know that all is well and a little reassurance when you are out of sight. The Great Outdoors Many cats enjoy spending some of their time outdoors (where the environment permits this) and a little daily exercise helps keep a cat's body healthy and mind active. Many older cats will happily potter about the garden with you. They are usually much more home-centred and less likely to wander off on long hunting expeditions. If your cat has poor sight or hearing, make sure he is in a safe place when you want to mow the lawn. Other garden hazards include pesticides and other chemicals, poisonous or irritant plants and in some countries venomous wildlife. A special enclosure or supervised walks on a leash may allow you older cat to enjoy the outdoors in safety. Most older cats enjoy sunbathing, whether outdoors or indoors on a windowsill. As well as warmth, sunshine helps provide Vitamin D. A folded blanket or cat bed placed in an open greenhouse or conservatory may be appreciated though you must be extremely careful not to accidentally trap your cat in the greenhouse as older cats are less resistant to dehydration and heatstroke. If your cat regularly sunbathes outdoors you should take precautions against skin cancer - dab non-toxic sun-block cream onto the cat's ears and nose, especially if these are white or pale coloured. The last thing your old cat wants is an operation under general anaesthetic to remove cancerous ears. Bushes, or even an old open rabbit hutch, will provide shelter from the sun while allowing your cat remain out in the fresh air. In hot weather make sure there is extra drinking water available as older cats are quicker to become dehydrated. Although most older cats will learn to use a cat flap, a few find they lack the strength to push one open, particularly if it is stiff or heavy. Some older cats become quite rickety and cannot cope with a cat flap, even if they used to use it when younger. If the cat flap causes problems you can remove the flap section during the day and fasten a piece of cloth or light carpet in its place. It is recommended that indoor-outdoor cats are kept indoors at night to reduce the risk of theft or accident so please ensure that there is some way of securing the flap at night; this will also prevent strange cats from entering the house at night. An indoor litter tray will be especially welcomed in wet or cold weather even if your cat normally goes outdoors for his toilet during the daytime. After all, would you expect granny to use a privy at the bottom of the garden in inclement weather? Don't make a cat stay outdoors in cold or wet weather, it is not good for them. If the cat gets cold or wet put him in a warm room or by a heater until he is completely dried off. If your cat is suffering from senility, you may need to bring him indoors as senile cats are forgetful of their own wellbeing and may lie out in all weather, even if soaked to the skin. A Less Active Lifestyle Although older cats often remain active well into their teens or twenties and should be encouraged to take moderate exercise, they will lack the athleticism of youth. They still require some exercise to keep them healthy, but are unlikely to participate in high-impact aerobics as they did when younger. High surfaces, such as favourite windowsills or ledges, become inaccessible to them unless you provide a stool or ramp as a stepping stone. An advantage of this is that shelves and counters may well become cat-free zones. Ornaments and cookery ingredients are less likely to be overturned by older cats; their curiosity is unabated, but they no longer want to exert themselves by jumping up onto high surfaces. As cats grow older they often turn their attention away from playing or hunting, preferring to spending time quietly with their owners. You may find that an older cat prefers to sit near you rather than on your lap. This is not a sign that he snubbing your affection. Depleted fat stores means that older cats often become bonier and simply find a human lap uncomfortable to sit on. Putting a cushion or folded blanket on your lap will make it more comfortable when he wants a cuddle. Middle-age spread (through overfeeding and under-exercising) eventually gives way to increased boniness as the fat stores become depleted. You will notice shoulder blades and hips are more prominent. Older cats also find it harder to curl up into a tight ball and a larger cat bed may be necessary. Big beanbags mould themselves to a cat's shape and provide support while the polystyrene beads in a beanbag will retain heat and help keep a cat warm. Since older cats may no longer indulge in claw-wearing activities such as tree-climbing their claws will need more frequent trimming otherwise overgrown claws will snag on carpet and furnishings. Claw-trimming is not difficult, especially if the cat is fairly docile, and a vet can show you the right way to trim claws. An older cat's claws become more brittle and may not fully retract as the muscles become less efficient. A scratching post is still recommended, although an older cat may not use it as often as before. Older cats are often more talkative than younger cats. As they spend less time in physical activities, they have more time to express their opinions. Some may simply be seeking reassurance, but others become remarkably chatty, taking a more vocal interest in their owner's activities. Not only do they enjoy your company, they will tell you how much they enjoy it!
Mellowing With Age As they grow older most cats become more sociable with those they regard as friends, though a few can be described as cantankerous and short-tempered just like some elderly people. Sudden mood changes can be a sign of illness. A cat which suddenly wants to be left alone or one which constantly seeks reassurance may be trying to tell you that he is unwell, so ask your vet to check that all is well. Although old cats may be laid back with visitors, put Puss a in warm, quiet room with bed, food, water and litter tray if you are having a noisy get together or party. He may not appreciate all the noise and disturbance and giving him his room while the party is in full swing will provide a sense of security and allow him to pursue an older cats favourite "activity" - relaxing. Creating a Friendly Environment for Your Senior Cat Though regular exercise will help maintain greater mobility, some senior cats may still have some difficulty moving about. Be sure to make everything easily accessible. If you live in a multi-level house, keep your cat's litter box on the level she stays on most frequently. Place several litter boxes throughout the house and consider litter boxes with lower sides like the Catty Corner for easier access. This will help prevent "accidents" from happening. Minimizing Stress With age, your senior cat's senses gradually decline. She may not see or hear as well, making her more prone to stress. Because your senior cat is less able to cope with stress, you should provide quiet areas where your senior cat can feel safe and secure. Orthopedic foam beds like the Slumber Nest® are ideal. The calming effects of Comfort Zone plugged near her bed can help alleviate stress. Your senior cat is also more sensitive to temperature changes. If you live in an area that experiences cold winters, provide a heated pet bed or a thermal cushion to keep her warm and comfortable. Most behavior changes are just a part of normal aging, but in certain senior cats, it may be an indication of a more serious ailment. Don't be quick to dismiss changes as simply part of aging. Whenever you are not certain, consult your veterinarian to help ensure the quality of life your senior cat deserves. |
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