| With good veterinary care, an indoor lifestyle, | | | | loudly for some unidentifiable need. Such behavior |
| cooperative genes and a pinch of luck, cats can | | | | changes have long been dismissed as normal |
| sometimes live to the age of twenty years or | | | | aging; there is evidence, however, that the |
| more. Aging, however, brings with it both physical | | | | degree of physical change in old brains |
| and behavioral changes which, if ignored, may | | | | corresponds with the degree of impairment, and |
| challenge even the most well-meaning of human | | | | that some animals age more successfully than |
| companions. | | | | others. |
| As cats grow old, their bodies change internally as | | | | How can you best prepare for the changes your |
| well as externally. Almost all body systems are | | | | cat may experience as she ages? First, talk to |
| affected by aging. Lifelong activity leads to joint | | | | your veterinarian about his or her particular |
| inflammation or osteoarthritis, which can stiffen | | | | program for older pets. Many veterinary hospitals |
| and slow cats as it does humans. Important | | | | already have in place a senior pet program to |
| physiological functions taken for granted over the | | | | accommodate their large population of aging |
| course of a decade may start to slow or | | | | patients (and, of course, the higher the quality of |
| malfunction. Kidney disease is a common affliction | | | | veterinary medicine, the larger this population will |
| of old cats, as is hyperthyroidism (an | | | | grow!). At some point, screening tests for blood |
| oversecretion of thyroid hormone due to cancer | | | | chemistry (including kidney function), urine, heart |
| of the thyroid gland). Each of the senses | | | | and thyroid function are advisable, as well as close |
| deteriorates eventually, leading to impaired vision, | | | | monitoring of body weight and condition. |
| hearing, and abilities to taste and smell (which | | | | Depending upon your individual needs, your |
| may, in turn, result in decreased appetite). | | | | veterinarian may suggest more frequent visits |
| While the physiological changes of older cats can | | | | (for example, two or three times rather than |
| often be detected through blood and urine | | | | once per year). In addition to physically |
| analyses and other quantitative tests, behavioral | | | | measurable changes, be sure to discuss behavior |
| changes may be difficult to measure. The brain is | | | | changes including litter box habits, appetite and |
| paradoxically both the most complicated and the | | | | any signs of confusion or irritability. Establishing a |
| most poorly understood of all body systems. Like | | | | baseline (for example, at the age of 9 or 10 |
| any other part of the body, it is susceptible to | | | | years) for both physical and behavioral health is an |
| the long-term deterioration of aging. Recent | | | | ideal way to keep track of the changes that may |
| recognition of cognitive impairment in old dogs and | | | | appear in time. |
| cats has led to an increased understanding of this | | | | Given the physical limitations that accompany |
| surprisingly common problem. Cats, like dogs, | | | | aging, it is often helpful to make simple |
| people and other animals, begin to show some | | | | accommodations before they are needed. An |
| degree of memory loss and disorientation as they | | | | additional litter box or two, perhaps close to your |
| grow old. | | | | cats preferred resting area, is usually appreciated |
| Although there are individual differences, elderly | | | | and used. Extra grooming can compensate for |
| cats can seem confused and can show that | | | | tired bones and stiff joints. A soft bed on the |
| confusion or cognitive impairment in characteristic | | | | floor may be more accessible than that old perch |
| ways. Many cats, for example, will begin to urinate | | | | on the sofa back. With some care and attention, |
| or defecate outside the litter box. They may | | | | your cat can age happily and with the same |
| jump off their owners laps rather than sit for | | | | quality of life she has always known. |
| petting, or might pace through the house yowling | | | | |