When the Cat Ages

In the last years the cats become even more popular as pets. At the same time, the level of the feline health has raised so that at present exists more population of old cats. It thinks that a cat is old after 10 years of age, because his standard of life is 13 to 14 years, though there are some of them that live a bit more and even they become to 20. In most of the cats the aging is gradual and, while the animal is healthy, few important changes are needed in his routine. 

It is necessary to annually vaccinate all cats and to do periodic reviews to them, to locate any problem and to treat it in its initial phase. To a cat of more than 10 years it is necessary to take to the veterinarian two times a year for a complete review. On having increased the age, it increases the risk of contracting a disease. It is a common mistake to attribute a change in the cat to the age, when this one can due to a latent illness that can treat. Since the old cats can have more than one problem of health, the veterinarian can advise a blood test before any important treatment, to be sure that there is an additional disease that could complicate the treatment. A more detailed examination of the cat's health will do that the treatment of a disease does not come out another latent sickness.

Problems of the "old" cat
The old cats are in the habit of slimming. The losses of weight can be the symptom of a medical problem, as a hyperactivity of the thyroid gland. It can be caused also by a dysfunction of the liver or the kidneys. Although there are cats which kidneys can lose more than the half of its function without apparent effect, a liver in decadence is a more serious disease. It is necessary to consult with the veterinarian and, if there is no a medical reason for the loss of weight of the cat, it can be that the animal eats less because his senses of the smell and of the tact have become less thin, leading him to losing the appetite. It is possible to encourage an undesired cat in order that he eats warming the food to the temperature of the body (approximately 35 º). It's better to give him more frecuent and vary meals and in minor quantity than one or two abundant meals per day. There is investigated continually which is the ideal diet for an old cat.What is known is that the intestine of an old cat is less effective to absorb the nourishing substances; the veterinarians specializing in diets believe that to reduce the levels of proteins and of phosphorus does that the digestion is more easier. Our cat can take advantage of a commercial food made specially to facilitate the digestion of the old cats, with less proteins and more vitamins.

The constipation is another typical problem of the "oldr" cats. It can get ready adding fiber or jelly of oil to the diet. The acute cases treat each other with a dose of liquid paraffin. It is possible to be more difficult to an old cat to control his emptying of urine or of abdomen, or can be too much dulled or tired to go outside. If ours is an animal of exterior, put a hygienic tray in an accessible place inside the house, specially in winter.

It is necessary to check the mouth of the cat regularly, if he has infections of teeth or gums. Sometimes, the sores in the mouth or the staked legs are a problem in order that the cat polish himself, for what it will be necessary to give him a hand. Rinse softly the hair with a wet rag and comb him with a comb of thin prongs will do that our cat has better aspect and feels better.

Q/A I have a 20-year-old Siamese, Oliver, who likes sitting down in the middle of the street, without worrying for the traffic. Why do you believe he does it?

The simplest and more probable explanation is that Oliver is somewhat deaf, or somewhat blind. Taking in mind his exceptional age it is not surprising at all. It is a shame to have to ground him, especially if Oliver likes to go out, but it seems to me that you cannot do another thing.

My cat, Wizard, is 14 years old. Although now he has a voracious appetite, it seems that he is losing weight and having a couple of accidents in the house. What can provoke these symptoms?

Wizard could have a hyperactive thyroid gland. The thyroid gland controls the metabolism of the cat. If it is hyperactive, the metabolism is accelerated, making also that the cat be hyperactive and anxious. He could loss weight although he eats more than normal. And also the dhyarrea is common. Take Wizard to his veterinarian; a simple blood test will give him the level of thyroid hormones in the blood current. The problem is solved extirpating the thyroid gland.

My cat of 11 years, Jessica, has never had problems with its nails, but now she most frequently has them very long. Why is this?

It is possible that Jessica does less exercise and polishes herself with less frequency, but, sometimes, the hyperthyroidism makes nails grow, for that you must take her to the veterinarian. Cut Jessica's nails or take her to the veterinarian occasionally in order to have them cut there.