THE SENIOR CAT

To be old is to be young longer than others” (Le Chat, Ph. Geluck)

Old age in the cat as in the man involves changes in the functioning of different organs, which get tired more or less quickly. It is important to know what the first signs of aging are, in order to monitor and, if possible, prevent a too rapid degradation, to ensure your cat a serene end of life.

At what age can we say that a cat is old?

The signs of aging are generally more discreet in the cat than in dogs  ; It is also important to know how to identify them, in order to best accompany your companion in the last phase of his life, which can however be long if we take good care of him; some felines can live until 18 or 20 years … As a rule, the first signs of old age appear between 7 and 11 years, and can worsen from the age of 12 years.

We observe :

• Changes in appearance : the coat takes on a duller appearance, it can also whiten (at the level of the head), become drier and less supplied. The skin is less flexible. The weight can also change: either weight gain of an animal that moves much less, or slimming of an animal that has more difficulty to feed properly.
• A change in behavior : this is linked to cerebral aging (especially marked after 16 years); the cat sleeps more often, it seeks even more heat, it is less frequent, and can become irritable when it is handled (pains). Later, may appear disorientation, incontinence, untimely and unusual meowing (at night for example)
• A gradual decline in performance of the main senses : the cat gradually loses hearing, until becoming completely deaf; his sight can be affected (cataract) and he tends to bump easily. The weakening of the sense of smell can lead to a strong decrease of the appetite.

Nutritional needs

By the age of 8 , your cat’s nutritional needs change gradually: the metabolism decreases, physical activity and less, and therefore the energy requirements decrease by 20% compared to those of a younger cat .

The aged cat, being carnivorous, needs proteins , but these must be of very good quality so as not to overload the weakening kidney. The activity is reduced, it needs less lipids (to avoid weight gain), but they must also be of good quality (omega 3 and 6 essential fatty acids). The amount of carbohydrate remains about the same, and you need to avoid fast sugars to avoid diabetes. Finally, it will be necessary to ensure the intake of vitamins and minerals (important to help the immune system), while limiting the intake of phosphorus.

Points to watch out for

• The heart  : signs such as persistent cough, shortness of breath, tiredness, exercise intolerance, can warn you of a malfunction of the heart pump
• The appetite  : a loss of appetite, or on the contrary, a significant increase of it are warning signs that must lead you to consult your veterinarian, as announcers of various diseases that must be explored
• The amount of drink  : many metabolic disorders associated with old age are accompanied by a sharp increase in drink intake: diabetes, kidney failure, liver. If you have doubts, watch carefully so that you can quantify and inform your veterinarian, who will perform the necessary tests.
• Weight  : monitoring the weight of your pet is important, but even more for a senior; rapid weight loss may indicate underlying disease; an increase may have repercussions on the heart and joints.
• The joints  : even if the cat remains a rather flexible animal, the joints do not age any less from a certain age. Even without apparent pain, the animal can suffer from osteoarthritis and be embarrassed in his daily life (toilet, food intake …)
• Teeth  : Bacteria present in the mouth (tartar) and responsible for bad breath, loosening and infections, can pass into the blood and cause serious kidney or heart disease. Hence the importance of oral hygiene in older cats!
• Eyes / ears : visual and auditory acuity drop significantly with age, and you will need to learn how to take it into account
• Peeling  : a dull, stung, poorly maintained hair with dandruff should alert you: your pet may no longer be able to properly care for it through the toilet, or suffer from a general disease that affects the appearance of the coat .

All of these problems mentioned above can be evaluated, monitored and managed by your veterinarian.

In conclusion

A recent study has shown that the medicalization of animals can increase their life expectancy thanks to advances in medicine. Careful monitoring of your cat will allow you to detect the first signs of organic damage, but the ideal is to have your veterinarian perform a regular check-up at a certain age . Not to mention a diet adapted and balanced , as well as a little exercise! (Eat well, move well!)