The typical life expectancy of a cat is rising progressively. You might be curious as to whether or not your feline friend is considered elderly. Nevertheless, being older is defined by more than just chronological age in animals. Many things, including genetics, environment, diet, and veterinary treatment, impact how quickly or slowly the cat ages.
Common Health Issues When Taking Care of an Old Cat
Cats don’t just get ill as they are old. Many problems impacting senior cats’ health can be traced back to their particular lifestyle and physiology. As avid hunters and meat eaters, they put their bodies through stresses that other animals may not experience. These breed-specific traits have been linked to several age-related feline health concerns. Furthermore, these are the most regularly occurring issues.
Kidney Disease
Kidney failure, generally caused by aging or an injury, implies that your cat’s urine will contain all the hazardous toxins its body produces rather than being filtered out. Weight loss, increased urine output, foul breath, and extreme thirst are all signs and symptoms. Your veterinarian may suggest a low-protein, low-salt, and low-phosphorus diet with a high intake of Omega-3 fats for the early stages of this condition.
Although they are seniors, immunizing your cat from an animal hospital like Seattle Animal Hospital is vital to avoid dangerous diseases.
Obesity
Obesity is a common feature in senior cats. Aging cats tend to be less active than younger ones, even if their diets are the same. Because they don’t get much exercise, indoor cats commonly gain weight. Cats are most likely to get diabetes if they are overweight.
Did you know there are many proven health benefits to spaying or sterilizing your pet? If your pet is healthy, spaying or neutering is available at any age. If you’re considering getting this procedure done on your pet, you must speak with an experienced vet first.
Dental Disease
Has your cat started dropping their food or having trouble lifting it to chew? Excruciating gum illness is prevalent in senior cats and could be the case here. Without constant brushing and flossing, plaque and tartar can build up on teeth and create significant health issues. Get your cat’s teeth professionally cleaned and then maintain their cleanliness by cleaning them daily.
Cats are notorious for swallowing foreign things, so if you find something in your cat’s mouth, it’s best to call the vet. Ignoring the warning signals of a tooth problem can result in excruciating pain and may require surgery for cats.
Cancer
The majority of elderly cats pass away from cancer. Since cancer refers to uncontrolled cell proliferation, it covers many illnesses that might strike your pet. For cancer to develop, abnormal cells must invade neighboring tissues and cause havoc in the body’s normal functions.
Early discovery is critical due to cancer’s terrible and ultimately fatal effects. When a cat is considered senior, it is nearing the end of its life. So, for the finest care in their last days, it’s better to call veterinarians offering hospice and end-of-life care services. Follow this link for more details.
Bottomline
Do not assume that just because you are a cat owner, you will always know whether your cat is sick. Ill cats, especially older ones, are masters at concealing their symptoms. Maintaining optimal health for your cat calls for consistent communication with your veterinarian. This is specifically true for elderly cats, who are at a greater risk of acquiring the illness simply due to aging.
