On average, cats have a longer lifespan than dogs. With good medical care, an active lifestyle, cooperative genes and a pinch of luck, a cat can live up to twenty years or more. This means that you are likely to own your cat during many of his/her older years and an understanding of the changes that occur with age helps us care for these senior felines.

Certain changes will occur in your cat's body as the years go by. Important bodily functions, normally taken for granted, may start to slow down or malfunction. Just like humans, the senses eventually start to deteriorate, leading to impaired vision, hearing, taste and smell. Older cats are also prone to a number of medical conditions, the signs of which can be subtle and that we, as owners, should be on the lookout for as many are treatable. Weight loss is common in older cats, and can be put down to just ‘old age’ but can be a sign of an underlying disease.

Diseases that are frequently diagnosed in this age group of cats include:

• Kidney disease, of which the first sign maybe drinking and urinating more as well as weight loss and vomiting
• Hyperthyroidism, an over-active thyroid gland causes the cat to lose weight, eat and drink more
• Hypertension (high blood pressure), which can occur with underlying kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, and can result in blindness and yowling at night
• Diabetes mellitus, which again results in an increase in drinking and weight loss
• Osteoarthritis, an underdiagnosed and painful condition resulting in a reduction in activity, reluctance to jump onto surfaces and litter tray accidents
• Cognitive behavioural dysfunction, a syndrome in cats similar to Alzheimer’s disease in humans, which can cause signs consistent with senility including disorientation and inappropriate vocalisation
• Cancers, the type of which will dictate the signs but any unexplained weight loss, or growths should be investigated
• Dental disease - older cats often suffer painful conditions of the teeth and gums. They may show little sign of this, but occasionally you will notice them chewing on one side of their mouth and taking along time to eat

If you notice any of the above signs, or any other signs of illness such as vomiting, diarrhoea or loss of appetite, or even subtle signs such as a reluctance to be stroked, or unwillingness to play/interact with you, contact your vet.

With the proper degree of love and attention, you can help your cat to grow old in a serene and dignified manner. By being observant, thinking of how your cat might feel, and working with your vet, you can make your cat’s retirement a pleasure for both of you.

Caring for the Senior Cat - Top Tips

Regular veterinary care - it is tempting to miss the check ups but remember that vaccinations, worming and flea treatments remain important during your cat’s senior years. In fact, as the immune system may not be what it used to be, these preventative measures are vital to keep your older cat in good health. In addition, as cats are very good at hiding signs of disease, keeping in touch with your vet is important to spot problems early, when they can be easy to treat. Geriatric cats should be weighed regularly, have their blood pressure checked regularly, and if indicated have blood and urine analysed for certain diseases. Some veterinary clinics run special nurses clinics for older pets to have a regular check up.

Healthy teeth and gums - routine dental care from your vet is very important, since older cats are more prone to painful dental disease. In addition to regular visits to a professional, it's always a good idea for you to check your cat's teeth and gums regularly at home for any redness, swelling or discomfort.

Senior nutrition - aside from ensuring regular veterinary care, understanding the changing nutritional needs of your senior cat is hugely important. In general, cats of seven years and older start taking life a bit easier and, as a result, their nutritional needs start to change. Some senior cats can be less active and have a slower metabolism; so fewer calories are required, whilst others, often the geriatric group, have trouble maintaining body weight for various reasons. A high quality diet, with easy to digest protein becomes more important than ever, to help maintain overall body condition. Discuss the most appropriate diet with your vet, as this may vary between individuals depending on body condition and underlying medical problems. It is important to avoid obesity, particularly in this age group, as it can cause or worsen medical problems such as diabetes and osteoarthritis.

A good senior diet provides concentrated, high quality protein, reduced fat, and easy to digest carbohydrates for energy. Key minerals support ageing joints, and vitamins, along with protein, help support an aging immune system.

Manufactured complete and balanced senior cat foods are formulated to reflect these changes in nutritional requirement and feeding habits. So your cat can continue to enjoy mealtimes to the full without compromising on the essentials.

If your older cat appears reluctant to eat, you should always check with your vet that there is not an underlying medical reason for what you may think is just fussiness. A few changes to feeding regimes may also encourage food intake in older cats including feeding little and often, varying textures and flavours, and warming the food to release tasty smells.

Healthy skin, coat and nails - as part of your regular routine, you may want to schedule additional grooming session at least each week depending on your cat’s coat. Your cat may be less flexible - plus grooming can stimulate and massage stiff joints. Use a soft brush and go easy over those sore joints. You may need to start trimming your cat’s claws. With less activity they wear less and can become stuck in materials or at worst grow back around into paw pads. Ask your vet to show you how to do this at home, or ask him/her to do it for you.

Home comforts - small home alterations make life easier for an older cat. A soft bed in an accessible, quiet, draft free place means a lot to an older cat. Warmth via a radiator bed (with easy access into it) or a warming pad (always use supervised and make sure it is not too hot) are both good options. You may also need to provide steps up to a favourite sofa (a rigid cardboard box will do) and tie the cat flap open if your senior feline has trouble pushing through these days. Make sure food and water are within easy reach on the cat’s level, avoiding the need to jump onto higher surfaces if your cat has sore joints. Older cats may also be less willing to use the great outdoors as a litter tray, especially in cold weather, so provide an accessible litter tray indoors as outlined below.

Toilet arrangements - as they age cats can sometimes start to relieve themselves outside the litter box. If this happens, it is likely a medical problem is present so consult your vet without delay. Osteoarthritis is painful and affected cats are less accurate when it comes to the litter tray and urinary and bowel problems can also cause the odd accident. To encourage litter tray use, make sure one is provided indoors, even if your cat usually goes outdoors, in a quiet, private location, away from food and water. If you have more than one cat, try to ensure that each cat has access to a separate litter tray. A general rule of thumb is one for each cat plus one extra. Refresh your cat's litter frequently, and provide a larger box that is not too deep for your cat to climb into. A covered litter tray may also help and try to choose a litter substrate that is not too hard on sore paws.

Stay active - because obesity and arthritis are two of the most common problems experienced by older cats, encouraging regular exercise remains important. Osteoarthritis is underdiagnosed in older cats and may prevent your cat from exercising, resulting in weight gain so discuss this with your vet, who can advise you on what to look out for and provide medication if indicated.

Daily routine - a consistent daily routine is important to your older cat's physical, mental and emotional health, providing comfort and a reassuring framework.

Acknowledge failing senses - loss of sight and hearing may mean your cat sleeps very deeply and doesn’t hear you coming if approached from behind. Make sure all family members are aware of this and particularly children know to be quiet and slow around the cat.

Emotional support - try to be sensitive to what your older cat is going through and understand that a lot of changes are taking place, both physical and psychological. Daily care of your older cat requires a little more patience on your part, but your loving care and commitment really helps create true quality of life during these senior years.

In conclusion caring for an older cat can be very rewarding. Excellent veterinary care and small home management changes can improve your senior cat’s quality of life for many years to come.