Cats Get Older Too

With good veterinary care, an indoor lifestyle,loudly for some unidentifiable need. Such behavior
cooperative genes and a pinch of luck, cats canchanges have long been dismissed as normal
sometimes live to the age of twenty years oraging; there is evidence, however, that the
more. Aging, however, brings with it both physicaldegree of physical change in old brains
and behavioral changes which, if ignored, maycorresponds with the degree of impairment, and
challenge even the most well-meaning of humanthat some animals age more successfully than
companions.others.
As cats grow old, their bodies change internally asHow can you best prepare for the changes your
well as externally. Almost all body systems arecat may experience as she ages? First, talk to
affected by aging. Lifelong activity leads to jointyour veterinarian about his or her particular
inflammation or osteoarthritis, which can stiffenprogram for older pets. Many veterinary hospitals
and slow cats as it does humans. Importantalready have in place a senior pet program to
physiological functions taken for granted over theaccommodate their large population of aging
course of a decade may start to slow orpatients (and, of course, the higher the quality of
malfunction. Kidney disease is a common afflictionveterinary medicine, the larger this population will
of old cats, as is hyperthyroidism (angrow!). At some point, screening tests for blood
oversecretion of thyroid hormone due to cancerchemistry (including kidney function), urine, heart
of the thyroid gland). Each of the sensesand 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 (whichDepending 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 urineonce per year). In addition to physically
analyses and other quantitative tests, behavioralmeasurable changes, be sure to discuss behavior
changes may be difficult to measure. The brain ischanges including litter box habits, appetite and
paradoxically both the most complicated and theany signs of confusion or irritability. Establishing a
most poorly understood of all body systems. Likebaseline (for example, at the age of 9 or 10
any other part of the body, it is susceptible toyears) for both physical and behavioral health is an
the long-term deterioration of aging. Recentideal way to keep track of the changes that may
recognition of cognitive impairment in old dogs andappear in time.
cats has led to an increased understanding of thisGiven 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 someaccommodations before they are needed. An
degree of memory loss and disorientation as theyadditional litter box or two, perhaps close to your
grow old.cats preferred resting area, is usually appreciated
Although there are individual differences, elderlyand used. Extra grooming can compensate for
cats can seem confused and can show thattired bones and stiff joints. A soft bed on the
confusion or cognitive impairment in characteristicfloor may be more accessible than that old perch
ways. Many cats, for example, will begin to urinateon the sofa back. With some care and attention,
or defecate outside the litter box. They mayyour cat can age happily and with the same
jump off their owners laps rather than sit forquality of life she has always known.
petting, or might pace through the house yowling