Food and diseases

The impact of diseases increases in old animals and it is important to recognize this diseases and handle them correctly. There are some obvious changes in the appearance and behavior of geriatric cats as they become older, same as in humans.

In fact, some controversy exist when it comes to a cat becoming old. Some veterinarians consider that cats with more then six years old are candidates for diseases associated with the aging. However, there is a point when cats turn six to seven months old, there is a decrease in the level of activity and increases the tendency to accumulate corporal fat and generally gain weight. But it is known that a slight obesity is more common in middle age cats than geriatric cats.

Thyroids has been constituted as one of the most common diseases in middle age and geriatric cats, this is often associated with corporal weight loss without mattering if there is an increase in the appetite. This cats can be supported with efficiency and kept in good condition with a high energy and tasty nourishment. Any long period of time of inappetence must be avoided in cats, specially if they are obese, which could lead to a pathological condition known as lipidosis hepatic.

Deposits on teeth and periodontal disease are the most common oral diseases suffered by cats. These diseases generate loss of teeth and can be prevented by having a routine dental care. This can be helped by offering them dry food that have a natural abrasive action in the teeth.  

Everything can have a practical solution if it is well nourished from an early age. 

Energetic requirements of geriatric cats
It is believed that geriatric cats have the tendency to be obese and therefore restrain their energetic needs. However, it isn't true. Obesity is not a significant problem in geriatric cats. According to new studies, what happens in cats is apparently there is a significant decrease in their digestive functioning as they age.

A study carried out by 56 cats between the ages of 18 months and 14 years showed that the ones that were fed with can food for standard cats, the digestibility of fat and protein decreased significantly in geriatric cats. 

If this diet is applied, cats that show low coefficients of digestibility can increase their daily intake. Why does this happen? It seems to be a compensatory response ( and it is so effective that comparing the digestible energy intake in different groups, there were no significant differences).

Conclusion: it is demonstrated that cats continue with their daily energy intake even when they age. 

It would be convenient that while dietetic products are not compatible with the products for geriatric cats, there is a small percentage of geriatric cats that are obese and these cats must be handled in the same way than an young adult cat and obese. Because….. obesity is not a symbol of old age. Remember that when feeding your cat.