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American Veterinary Center
Happier & Healthier Pets |
30-
El Gezira EL Wosta Street
Zamalik , Cairo, Egypt. 11211
Tel .# 02 27376664
Mob.# 016 8877005 |
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Visit
Us Today
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Old age is not a disease
As a result of advances in veterinary
medicine, more knowledgeable care and improved nutrition, cats are
now living much longer, healthier lives. But, just as for humans,
the passage of time has its effects, and you may begin to notice
that your once-frisky feline seems to have slowed down a bit.
Being aware of the natural changes that can occur as your cat
reaches his or her golden years, as well as what you can do to
help keep your pet as healthy, active and comfortable as possible,
can ensure that you both enjoy this final stage in your cat's life
to the fullest.
How-and when-will I know
that my cat is getting “old”?
As cats move into the geriatric phase of
their lives, they experience gradual changes that are remarkably
like those of aging humans: their hair may turn grey, their bodies
are not as limber and reflexes not as sharp as they once were,
hearing, eyesight and the sense of smell may deteriorate and energy
levels seem to diminish. In fact, the first sign of aging is often a
general decrease in activity, combined with a tendency to sleep
longer and more soundly. Such signs may begin to manifest themselves
anywhere between the ages of 7 and 11. Furthermore, a healthy cat
who lives indoors, especially one that has been spayed or neutered,
will most likely age later than one which has been affected by
disease or environmental problems early in life. Thus, while wild or
feral tomcats have an average life span of only 3 years, a castrated
male house cat that is well cared for can live happily and healthily
into his late teens or early twenties. Again, as with humans, the
aging process will vary with the individual. Your veterinarian will
be able to judge when it's time to consider your pet a “senior”.
Checkup time now comes
twice a year
Keep your vet informed
Most importantly, you should tell your
veterinarian about any noticeable change in your cat's physical
condition or behavior. A problem that you may assume is simply
related to your pet's advanced age may actually be the result of a
treatable medical condition. For example, your cat's lack of
interest in exercise or play may not stem from the normal decrease
in energy that comes with age, but be due to the stiffness and pain
that results from arthritis—a condition that can be managed with the
proper treatment. Regular, semi-annual checkups can thus help your
veterinarian work out a suitable preventative health program for
your pet and catch any disorders sufficiently early to provide
effective treatment. Working together, you can both ensure that your
cat's senior years will be healthy and happy ones.
Put a healthy diet on the menu
 As
he or she ages, your cat’s nutritional needs may also change.
You may find that, although your pet is eating less, he still
puts on weight. This could be due to a slowdown of his
metabolism or a decrease in his activity. Excess weight can
aggravate many feline medical conditions, including heart,
respiratory, skin and joint problems. To help a portly puss
reduce, try feeding smaller quantities of food or gradually
switch to a diet that is lower in calories. Other cats have
entirely the opposite problem—they lose weight as they age,
sometimes as the result of heart or periodontal disease, thyroid
dysfunction, kidney failure or sometimes because of a reduction
in their taste sensation, which leads to a loss of appetite.
In either case, ask your veterinarian for advice about your
pet’s individual nutritional requirements. |
Senior cat food do’s & don’ts
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Do make sure that your cat's diet is well
balanced, highly palatable, digestible and contains potassium
and taurine. |
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Don't serve food
with high mineral and protein content. |
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Do consider, in consultation
with your veterinarian, increasing the level of fiber in your
cat’s diet, especially if he or she suffers from frequent
constipation. |
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Do try warming canned food to
body temperature—it may make meals more tempting to senior cats
with poor appetites. |
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Don’t feed your cat
between-meal snacks or table scraps. |
The top 10 health tips
for senior cats
- Take your cat to his or her
veterinarian for twice-yearly checkups.
- Become informed about conditions and
diseases common to senior cats, be on the lookout for
symptoms and, should they arise, inform your cat’s
veterinarian promptly.
- Feed your cat the best food you can
afford and consider giving him several small meals a day
rather than one large one.
- Don’t overfeed—obesity causes many
health problems and may shorten your cat’s life.
- Make sure your cat receives adequate
exercise to preserve muscle tone, bone, joint strength and
fight obesity.
- Look after your cat’s dental health.
Have his teeth cleaned professionally when your veterinarian
so advises, and ideally brush his teeth daily.
- Have your veterinarian do a risk
assessment to determine an appropriate vaccination protocol
for your cat.
- Do your utmost to control fleas and
make sure your cat and his environment (his bed, play area,
etc.) are always spotlessly clean.
- Check your cat’s nails weekly and
trim them as often as necessary, as senior cats may not use
their scratching posts as often as they did when younger.
- Give your cat lots of love and
attention and do all you can to keep him interested, active,
happy and comfortable.
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We understand that
your pet is a very special member of your family. |
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