We all want our furry family members to stay sprightly and healthy for as long as possible. Here’s some insights into three of the most common diseases that affect senior cats and tips on how you can best care for your golden oldie.

Osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disorder commonly seen in older cats but can affect cats as young as two – risk factors include lifestyle, whether they’ve had a past injury, and being overweight. Cats are masters of hiding when they’re in pain, so we need to look a little harder to see their discomfort and behavioural changes.

Remember that your cat losing mobility and becoming less active might not just be a symptom of ageing. Take notice if your cat is:

  • Toileting outside the litter box
  • Tucking themselves away in quiet places to sleep more
  • Not grooming themselves as much and/or their coat is in poor condition
  • Less willing to jump up and down (even to their favourite places)
  • Hissing or showing discomfort when you handle them or are less active overall.

If your cat gets an osteoarthritis diagnosis, there are ways to manage the disease to give them the best quality of life possible. Your vet will help you tailor a plan for your cat, but strategies include:

  • Weight loss and diet
  • Medication
  • Acupuncture
  • Heat pads
  • Natural supplements
  • Non-slip floor coverings
  • Moving furniture to make their favourite spots more accessible.

Cognitive decline 

Approximately 36 per cent of cats aged between 11 and 21 have feline dementia, yet it’s often missed by cat owners as symptoms can mimic other illnesses.

The most common indicators that your cat might have feline dementia are changes in behaviour and mental ability. Some signs include:

  • Confusion (like getting ‘trapped’ in corners)
  • Forgetfulness (like waiting at the wrong door to get let outside or forgetting previous training)
  • Going to the toilet outside their litter tray
  • Disrupted sleeping habits (you might notice a change to when they’re normally asleep and awake or that they’re sleeping more)
  • Being noisier (they may yowl at night)
  • Grooming less (which can result in matted fur)
  • Not being as responsive to the people/other animals they live with
  • Showing less interest in their favourite toys or food
  • Other behavioural changes like becoming fearful, aggressive, hiding away, or pacing aimlessly.

Following a diagnosis, your vet will work with you on measures to take to slow the progression of your cat’s dementia. Here are some environmental changes that may help relieve your cat’s stress and anxiety:

  • Create a peaceful and predictable life for them in your home (don’t change their routine, minimise noise, and avoid adding new pets to the family)
  • If people are coming over, especially larger groups, ensure your cat has a safe place they can go like a dark cosy room (have a Feliway diffuser plugged in, if you can)
  • Ensure your cat’s things stay in the same spot, like their food and water bowls, beds, and scratching posts
  • Avoid moving furniture around in your house – particularly things your cat enjoys using
  • Play with your cat every day and provide enrichment through things like food puzzles or a window seat so they can watch the world go by (mental stimulation is important to maintain brain function).

Chronic kidney disease 

Kidneys are a cat’s Achilles’ heel and up to 30 per cent of cats aged 15 and over have some degree of chronic kidney disease (CKD). While it’s most common in senior cats, kidney problems can occur at any age. The earlier the disease is caught, the better the prognosis, so it’s important to know the signs and symptoms to watch out for as your cat ages.

Some of the most common signs you might notice in a cat with CKD include:

  • Increased thirst and urination (though in the later stages of disease they may produce less urine or none at all)
  • Clear, dilute urine
  • Variable appetite or anorexia
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Lethargy (sometimes from anaemia, a telltale sign is pale gums)
  • Weight or muscle loss
  • Bad breath
  • Dehydration and an increased interest in water
  • Behaviour changes like hiding
  • Mouth and tongue ulcers.

To diagnose CKD, your vet will perform blood and urine tests. Once you have a diagnosis, your vet will go through a treatment plan tailored to your cat and the stage of their disease. While kidney damage cannot be repaired, the progression of CKD can be slowed down.

A common treatment option is simply a vet-prescribed diet, which can make a huge difference to your cat’s kidney function and quality of life. Your vet may also test your cat’s urine, as urinary tract infections are common in cats with CKD and may need to be treated with antibiotics. Fluid intake is important for CKD cats – wet food, water fountains, and even flavoured water can all encourage this. In some cases, your vet will recommend getting fluid therapy in-house at the clinic.

To give our cats the best chance of a long, fulfilling life, we should always monitor any changes in toileting habits, eating and drinking, sleeping patterns, or play. Changes to these can all be signs that something isn’t right and they should see a vet. It’s also a great idea to take your senior kitty to the vet for a health check every 6 months to keep them in tip top shape.

For general advice on cat care and everything feline, call the Cat Protection Society of NSW on 02 9519 7201 or visit catprotection.org.au

If you’d like more resources on issues that affect senior cats, see their factsheets on feline diabetes, feline dental care and caring for cats with vision impairment.

All images: Cat Protection Society of NSW

This is a sponsored article produced in partnership with the Cat Protection Society of NSW

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