Caring for Your Aging Cat

As your cat ages, certain psychological and physiological changes will occur. Cats over the age of 10 years should have yearly geriatric screenings, along with their inoculations.

As their bodies change, older cats may develop problems with their bowels that can cause constipation, diarrhea or incontinence. If any problems should occur, take your cat to the veterinarian immediately. Watch neutered male cats closely for signs of straining during urination, or having to "go" frequently yet not producing. This can be a sign of a bladder infection or, worse, crystals that form in the urethra and can cause a blockage. This can be deadly, so don't hesitate.

Hearing and eyesight may begin to fail in an older cat, so steps should be taken to ensure the cat's safety. Cats may lose their eyesight due to glaucoma or cataracts. Cats usually adjust quite well to blindness. There are precautions you must take, however. Sharp objects should be removed and access to high places should be secured or blocked off. Do not move things around; a blind cat will become familiar with the placement of things and may become confused if things are placed differently. Before touching or handling a blind cat, let your approach be known by speaking to the cat softly beforehand.

Older cats may also  lose their hearing, and you may notice a lack of normal responses because of this. Be sure to announce your approach to a hearing-impaired cat by touching the cat gently or letting the cat see you coming.

Signs of Old Age

As with humans, a cat’s body goes through physiological changes as she ages. Here are some things to watch for:

• cloudy eyes
• diminished hearing
• graying fur
• less luxuriant coat
• flabby or diminishing muscle structure
• senility
• stiffness
• arthritis
• decreased activity
• increased drinking andurination

As their metabolism slows, older cats become more susceptible to disease and are less able to regulate their body temperature. Therefore, it's important to keep your geriatric cat warmer. Older cats tend to have metabolism changes that may lead the cat to eat more or less than before. Often older cats, although their appetite may not change, will lose weight. This is normal, but it is important to watch for signs of excessive weight loss, which can indicate a medical problem. Your older cat may become thin if she does not get enough protein in her diet.

Ever wonder how old your cat really is? The old adage one year of a cat's life equls seven of a human's is inaccurate. Below is a generalization chart that compares a cat's age to a human's.

Cat's Age                                     Human's Age

6 months                                              10 years

8 months                                              13 years

1 year                                                   15 years

2 years                                                 24 years         

4 years                                                 32 years

6 years                                                 40 years

8 years                                                 48 years

10 years                                               56 years

12 years                                               64 years

14 years                                               72 years

16 years                                               80 years

18 years                                               88 years

20 years                                               96 years

21 years                                               100 years