Senior cat
It's been 9 years since I took you in, my little stray, in. Things were very exciting in the beginning. You were so curious, explored every room and made a mess everywhere. I didn't care about the broken vases you left behind on your forays. When you snuggled up to me afterwards and purred softly, the broken pieces were forgotten.
You also loved freedom and spent hours out and about in nature. You proved every day that you were a first-class mouser and there were fewer and fewer mice outside my door. Now you prefer lying on the couch to climbing trees.
Yes, you are getting old. All the more important that you stay fit and healthy for a long time to come. I often ask myself how I can recognize which needs are related to your advanced age and how I can ensure that you continue to enjoy cat life in your senior years.
Answers to these and other questions can be found here.
DEFINITION
Help, my house cat is getting old!
You can tell that your cat has some years "under its belt" not only by physical signs such as grey hair or loss of muscle, but also by changes in its activity or daily habits. Even though the ageing process varies from animal to animal, you should look out for signs of ageing in your cat from the age of 7 at the latest.
Sensory perception often declines. For example, your cat may no longer be able to perceive smells or perceive them only faintly and may also no longer be able to hear properly. In addition, old cats no longer see as well and may even go completely blind. You will also notice changes in behavior, such as an increased need to rest or cuddle, diminished play instinct, reduced grooming and a decline in memory and orientation skills.
Older cats are also more susceptible to diabetes, dental, metabolic and digestive problems and have difficulties with kidney function and/or joints (e.g. osteoarthritis). A healthy musculoskeletal system, for example, is an important prerequisite for joint health. The good news is that if you keep a close eye on your pets and provide them with targeted support, they can stay fit and mobile well into old age.
How old is my cat in human years?
The following also applies to cats: "We are as old as we feel." For example, some outdoor cats can still go on daily forays at an advanced age, while a younger cat may prefer a quiet retired life at an early age.
Good to know
This table can give you an indication of how old your cat would be in human years. Recent studies indicate that our four-legged friends age much faster than humans, especially in the first few years of their lives, and that the process slows down afterwards. Cats grow rapidly after birth and become sexually mature quite quickly. After only 8 months, cats are already about 13 years old, which is almost puberty. At the age of 9 to 10 years, they are already approaching senior age - and should be under special observation from now on.
FURTHER INFORMATION
When the joints age
The older your cat gets, the more its body changes: the muscles decrease, the bone structure changes due to daily stress and the joints wear out. Movements can also cause repeated pain. This is how chronic joint wear and tear (= osteoarthritis) begins.
But what exactly happens in the joint? In a young, healthy joint, a layer of cartilage covering the bone surfaces acts as a shock absorber. There is synovial fluid in the gap between the ends of the bones, which also ensures that the bones glide smoothly over each other during movement. Over the years, however, the body produces less and less of this fluid and the friction on the joint surfaces increases. In addition, the joint cartilage loses its elasticity. The shock absorber can no longer work fully and damage to the cartilage occurs.
The friction in the joint leads to recurring inflammation. This causes pain and further promotes the wear and tear of the cartilage. Factors such as excess weight, unhealed injuries, overloading or incorrect loading further accelerate the process. The result is a vicious circle!
Good to know
Articular cartilage functions like a sponge. It can only absorb the synovial fluid and thus be supplied with nutrients through regular loading and unloading. If the joint is not moved, the cartilage is undersupplied and osteoarthritis progresses more quickly. This means that moderate exercise is important for maintaining joint health, while complete rest or relief, on the other hand, often exacerbates the problem.
How can I tell if my cat is suffering from osteoarthritis?
Unfortunately, many domestic cats are affected by osteoarthritis. By the age of 6-8 years, almost one out of every four cats shows signs of degenerative joint disease. With increasing age, the proportion of affected animals continues to rise.* Despite this, the painful and irreversible change in the joints often remains undetected. This is because it tends to show up in cats through changes in behavior that you may not initially associate with osteoarthritis. Does your pet move less and sleep more? Is it no longer as agile as it used to be when grooming? Does it avoid stairs or sometimes seem a little stiff? These could be the first signs of osteoarthritis.
But don't worry: even though osteoarthritis cannot be cured, its progression can usually be slowed down by early diagnosis and prompt treatment and your cat can enjoy happy and mobile senior years despite its limitations.
Osteoarthritis check
Are you unsure whether your cat might have osteoarthritis? The following questions can help you make an initial assessment and provide a good basis for an appointment at the veterinary practice.
How can I support my pet?
If you suspect that your cat is suffering from osteoarthritis, you should consult your vet. At the practice, the joints will be palpated to make an accurate diagnosis and, if necessary, further examinations such as X-rays or blood tests will be carried out.
The treatment of osteoarthritis is demanding, as it is usually necessary for the rest of the cat's life. It should therefore be well tolerated and easy to use. And very importantly, it should not only relieve pain and inflammation, but also preserve and protect the joint cartilage and thus the mobility of your four-legged friend for as long as possible.
As older cats can suffer from various diseases at the same time, the following applies here: The medication to be administered should be easy to combine and have as few side effects as possible. Natural veterinary medicines can be very useful here.
Tips for everyday life: this will help your cat stay agile
Keep a close eye on your cat and pay particular attention to changes in behavior. A change in habits, such as moving its sleeping place to the first floor instead of the second floor, can also indicate the onset of osteoarthritis.
Make sure your cat maintains a healthy body weight. You can use the Body Condition Score for cats to determine whether its weight is within the normal or healthy range or whether it has "a little too much around the ribs". Excess weight puts additional strain on the joints. Your vet can advise you about obesity and give you helpful tips on how to help your cat loose weight.
Natural movements train your cat's joints: Make sure your cat gets enough exercise, climbing and playing every day. However, if at all possible, jumping from a height should be avoided, as this puts a lot of strain on the joints. The best way to integrate movement is through play, such as with feather fishing rods or stuffed mice. This also reactivates play behavior.
If your cat is already suffering from painful joints, it should still be able to follow its instincts and habits. Small adjustments in everyday life are enough here, such as an additional level on their scratching post. Ramps or intermediate steps to reach higher favorite places are also helpful.
Provide soft and comfortable sleeping areas to minimize strain on the joints. These should be easily accessible (not high up), draft-free and preferably warm.
In the case of arthritic changes, you may notice (sudden) uncleanliness. Some cats no longer use their litter box at all - because the position they adopt when defecating and urinating can be uncomfortable or even painful. It helps to offer a litter box that has enough space and a deep entrance. You should also think about the location of the litter box. For example, if it is in the basement, where it is cold, or if it can only be reached via many stairs, this alone can be an obstacle. If you pay attention to all these factors, a cat with arthritis can remain house-trained.
Regular check-ups and health checks are particularly important for senior citizens. The cardiovascular system, organ health and joint mobility should also be checked here. Specialists recommend these annual check-ups from the age of 7 at the latest.
Sources:
* Kerwin SC. Osteoarthritis in cats. Top Companion Anim Med. 2010, Nov; 25(4):218-23
