Older Cats - Problems to Be Aware Of

Your older cat's body will go through changes that can and often do cause problems. Those of us who have reached what is called a 'respectable' age, have probably found that our bodies don't work as well as they used to. Your cat is no different so you need to be aware of what is going on and what to look for.

Movement

Older cats can become arthritic, especially if they have been injured in the past. Some cats might show some stiffness when moving around, others may be showing signs of pain. They may no longer be able to jump up onto the furniture or your lap easily. The bones may become more porous and brittle which increases the risk of them being broken. Your older cat may also start losing muscle tone and mass, making exercise harder. This then leads to a more sedentary life for your cat where the muscles will lose more tone and atrophy. It is important for you to help your older cat exercise. Some gentle games such as batting at a swinging feather, or rolling around in a box full of scrunched up paper will keep those limbs moving. Picking your cat up and placing her on your lap or on her favourite perch will also keep her happy. So will providing some low level places to sleep. Tikki was given a pillow just behind the curtains in our bedroom where she was able to lie in the morning sun. She also had an old pillow on the floor in my office. This was under the desk and near an oil heater. She was comfortable, warm, didn't need to climb and was near her family.

Coat, Skin and Nails

Some black cats may show signs of going grey as they get older. With the other colours of cats, it may not be so noticeable. However, you may see the coat become duller and thinner as your cat ages. The skin can also become dry which can become a problem. The sebaceous glands secrete less oil onto the skin and coat which can make the coat dryer. As the skin loses is elasticity, it is subject to becoming injured more easily. Older skin takes longer to heal, both in humans and cats.

The nails may also become more brittle and prone to breaking or chipping. They could need to be clipped more often as the older cat will have trouble using the scratching post. If you haven't clipped your cat's nails over the years, I suggest getting your vet to do this as the equipment needs to be very sharp. Your vet will also have experience in this and will be able to do it quickly and efficiently.

Hearing and Vision

Cats can and do have problems with their hearing as they age. This can be due to the thickening of the ear drums. Unfortunately you may not be aware of the problem until the hearing loss is advanced. You may notice your cat not responding to your voice or appearing startled when you get close or start to pet it. This startle effect is because your cat didn't hear you coming. Hearing loss usually cannot be reversed, but you can change the way you interact with your cat by clapping your hands or stamping your feet. Your cat will feel the vibration and be alerted to your presence.

Some cats will develop vision problems as they age. This could be due to complications such as feline diabetes, cataracts or just old age. If this becomes a problem for your older cat, try making the food smell stronger by the addition of some fish oil or whatever your cat enjoys. Also, try to minimise the rearrangement of furniture if your cat is having problems seeing.

Old age is just the next stage of your cat's life. It does bring with it some problems that must be addressed but these are minor compared to the joy you have received from your cat over the years. My chronological age and my mind's age are two totally different things with about thirty years between them. I don't see why it shouldn't be the same for your cat. And personally, having nearly reached normal retirement age, I am looking forward to a very long and enjoyable old age.

Kathy Robinson has been writing articles on cat problems and the care of cats on her website http://www.CatProblemsResolved.com for a number of years. Why not download your free copy of The Joy of Owning and Caring for a Cat when you sign up for her free Cat Care Newsletter at http://www.catproblemsresolved.com/660.