Taking care of senior cats.
The aging of cats has been redefined in recent years. The average cat is much older than 20 years ago. These days, felines are considered seniors at age 11 or older. This compares to 60 years in humans.
Cats develop similar health issues that humans face when they age:
· Mobility issues or arthritis
· Joint pain
· Cognitive decline
· Kidney disease
· Diabetes
· Dental problems
· Cancer
· Loss of eyesight
· Loss of smell, taste, and appetite
· Weight gain or significant loss
Cat owners should recognize that an older cat might or might not develop certain issues. However, it's crucial to monitor any sudden behavioral changes when living with a “senior biscuit maker.”
Recognize the signs of aging cats:
Is your cat hesitant to jump onto a table or her favorite high spot?
Is your cat losing weight or wasting away? Or both?
Is your cat less interested in eating her once-favorite food?
Always consult your vet about any changes during your annual visit. For senior cats, bi-yearly checkups are often advised. These wellness exams should include screening for early signs of kidney disease and thyroid problems, and should also provide an opportunity to discuss pain symptoms with your vet.
Here are some tips and tricks to help you if you have an aging feline family member:
Adjust for physiological and medical needs:
- Older cats may experience a decline in their once-sharp sense of smell and taste, often leading to gastrointestinal issues. If your cat has never had problems with a particular brand of kibbles, a decrease in food intake and weight could indicate the need to switch to wet food or smaller kibbles.
- Provide regular exercise and check their weight more often. Sometimes mobility issues lead to pain and a reduced desire to walk or move around. Less exercise requires an adjustment in calories. If this doesn’t happen, the additional weight puts even more stress on joints and hips.
- When you touch, brush, or cuddle with your cat, check for lumps and bumps on their skin. It may be a harmless fat deposit or cyst, but the earlier your vet can check it, the better.
- Their immune system weakens. A weaker immune system makes them more susceptible to all kinds of parasites, such as worms, fleas, or ticks. Make sure to watch out for any signs of parasites.
Adjust for environmental needs:
- If you notice any mobility issues, you can easily help your older cat reach her favorite spot by placing a chair or stool beside her cat tree. Mobility issues are indicated when a cat hesitates to jump up or down. It helps to watch a younger cat jump up or down and compare it to your older cat. When we see a cat daily, we often miss subtle changes in behavior.
- Senior cats need low-sided litter boxes or little steps into the box. A high entrance may hurt their arthritic joints and lead to elimination outside the box. It is also recommended to add more easy-to-reach boxes spaced throughout the house, so they do not have to walk as far.
- Visually impaired cats rely heavily on routine. Avoid moving furniture, and keep their environment stable.
- Older cats love routine and predictability. Stick to their feeding and play routine.
- Many older cats still love to play. The play may have become a little calmer, but if your cat enjoys it, stick to your play routine or even add mental play (pattern games) to your daily routine.
Recognize the signs of cognitive decline in older cats - VISHDAAL:
Many older cats show signs of cognitive decline. Watch for those signs. These can include starting to miss the litter box, sleeping more than usual, or not wanting to move around at all.
The acronym VISHDAAL summarizes the behavioral changes you may observe in older cats. Every cat is different; you may see only one clinical sign in your cat. Other cats may display most or all of the signs. Aging in cats is linked to cognitive dysfunction. Many older cats seem confused, anxious, or not like themselves.
The behavioral changes it represents stand for:
Vocalization changes (sometimes at night)
Interactions altered (social changes)
Sleep/wake cycle disruptions (changes in day and night patterns)
House soiling (forgetting previous litter box training)
Activity level changes (hyperactivity or lethargy)
Anxiety
Learning and memory deficits
Although there is no NRC (nutrition profile) recommendation for senior cat food, the industry has made significant advances in developing products that meet the needs of senior cats and their caretakers:
- Food that helps with cognitive function
- Food with a smaller kibble size
- Highly palatable food in smaller portions
- Low-phosphorus food to support cats with kidney issues
Your veterinarian will gladly talk with you about pain relievers or food options to help maintain cognitive function.
References:
Denenberg, S., Machin, K. L., & Landsberg, G. M. (2024). Behavior and Cognition of the Senior Cat and Its Interaction with Physical Disease. Veterinary Clinics of North America: Small Animal Practice, 54(1), 153–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cvsm.2023.09.001
Hajzler, I., Nenadović, K., & Vučinić, M. (2023). Health changes of old cats. Journal of Veterinary Behavior, 63, 16–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jveb.2023.04.002
Sordo, L., & Gunn‐Moore, D. A. (2021). Cognitive Dysfunction in Cats: Update on Neuropathological and Behavioural Changes Plus Clinical Management. Veterinary Record, 188(1), e3. https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.3