Caring For Senior Cats
Just like in people, a cat’s body changes as the cat ages. Normal aging involves gradual changes, but some senior cats develop age-related illness. Caring for senior cats involves identifying normal age-related changes, caring for the aging cats special needs, and consult the veterinarian about any drastic changes or questions about the aging cat.
Aging causes normal, gradual physical changes. Dehydration is a concern for aging cats because they become less sensitive to the first drive as they age. Cats may become more sensitive to heat or cold because aging decreases their ability to regulate their body temperatures.
Many older cats lose acuity of their senses. A senior cat may not be able to see or hear as well as it used to when it was young. Even though gradual changes in the cat’s senses are normal, any sudden or drastic changes should be checked by a veterinarian since they can be signs of disease or illness.
Infection and certain cat diseases can be partially caused by the advanced age of the cats. Older cats may develop inflammation of the joints which is known as arthritis. Arthritis can be a painful condition which may require veterinary treatment and may be treated with pain relief medication, diet, and exercise.
The mouths of aging cats undergo certain changes that can cause problems for the cat’s dental health. Tooth loss, dental disease, and mouth ulcers are common problems for aging cats.
Many cat owners of senior cats are concerned about cancer. Sores that won’t heal and growths or bumps can be signs of cat cancer. A cat should be examined by a veterinarian as soon as possible if the cat owner notices any possible signs of cat cancer.
Caring for senior cats is different than caring for the cat when it was younger. A diet that is lower in calories can benefit an aging cat, because older cats are less active and therefore useless calories. Therefore, the cat may gain weight if fed the same food as that you see when it was younger and more active. Obesity is a serious concern for older cats sense of the city can make the cat susceptible to diabetes mellitus and arthritis.
Older cats need to be taken to the veterinarian more frequently for regular checkups. This is important because it allows the veterinarian to screen for age-related cat diseases.
Senior cats naturally become less active which can be detrimental to the cats health. Without active play, cats can lose muscle strength and not receive proper exercise. Therefore, cat owners of senior cats should initiate play often.
Moses Wright has been a pet lover since young. He started this site to provide pet lovers with free pet advice and tips on homemade pet food.
Posted on September 10, 2009
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