All the information you need on persian cats


Cats Get Older Too

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



1 A B C D 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107 108 109 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117