Cats are living longer now than ever before due to advances in pet medicine and nutrition. Like their human counterparts, aging is inevitable. It has been a general rule that you can calculate your cat’s age by multiplying every year by 7, but this is not completely accurate. Aging is individual, and some cats may enter their senior years when they are as young as seven years old, while some cats may not enter their senior years until they are over fifteen years of age. For this reason, it is very important to speak to your veterinarian about any changes in normal behavior or variances in the pattern of their daily activities.
There are many conditions that cats can experience as they age, and many are quite common. While some of the conditions are not correctable, they can be managed with a health regimen. The most common age related conditions are:
- Reduced hearing: This can be a result of an infection, parasites, growth in the canal, or other medical problems that require immediate attention.
- Obesity: Obesity is the most common condition that is directly related to causing other health issues, such as hypertension and osteoarthritis.
- Dental disease: Can cause extreme pain. May result in weight loss due to a refusal to eat, or tooth loss. Bacteria can travel from the infected site through the bloodstream, to other vital organs.
- Kidney Failure: The most noticeable symptom is an increase in water consumption and urination. An all dry food diet has been linked to the disease.
- Degenerative Joint Disease: Osteoarthritis is very common in the average aging cat, causing pain, swelling, inflammation, and reduced mobility.
Unfortunately you may not notice that your cat has arthritis until it has progressed. Cats are very good at hiding their symptoms, so you may not notice the warning signs. You may want to watch for changes in your cat’s behavior, eating patterns, and activity level. Normal daily activities may become difficult, such as climbing stairs, jumping, or even gaining access to their litter box.
It is important for your veterinarian to access the aging of your cat. If the vet suspects that your cat may be entering his/her senior years, they may want to do a thorough physical examination twice a year, instead of annually (as well as any testing that may be needed for accurate diagnosis). They may suggest a diet that is proper for your exact cat, exercise, reduced stress, or supplements (such as liquid Glucosamine for joint health).
To read more about Glucosamine and how it can improve your cat’s health, click here…
