Specific needs and problems to be addressed for an old but healthy cat
Aging is part of life and cats also happen. Our four-legged friends, during the aging phase, may have specific needs or specific problems that must be addressed as soon as possible, in order not to aggravate the health conditions of the cats. The feline aging process leads to a gradual decline in physical and mental capacities and the owners must be aware of this to give them the best possible care. It must be taken into account that not all cats enter old age in the same way and at the same speed. A bit like puppies: even if they are part of the same brood, someone may be earlier than the other, or a kitten may delay development due to a series of causes or pathologies. The aging of the cat as the biological age depends on genetics, its nutrition and the general state of health and living conditions. According to research by veterinary experts, feline old age begins between eight and nine years of age. As an old saying goes, prevention is better than cure and it is better not to wait for it to be a geriatric case to treat one’s pet properly. The annual checks by the veterinarian can save the owners money and make them discover silent but deadly diseases in time. The cats usually do not show pain or symptoms until they are unbearable, so if the cat is not a lazy one, but is unusually quiet on the couch, or drinks too much, or does not eat or eat too much, or still has difficulty going in litter, it is appropriate to visit the veterinary surgeon .
Cat aging, problems, and care for the elderly
It is also true that each specific breed influences the approach of veterinary geriatric medicine, given that each has risk factors. In addition to the specific characteristics of the breed, its genetic history, the environment and the lifestyle of the cat also influence old age. Especially if it is a sedentary cat or an active animal. The most common problems of older cats are obesity, dental disease, and kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, diabetes, heart problems, intestinal problems, and inflammation, as well as the onset of tumors. Furthermore, castration and the difference also make sterilization: it is known that neutered cats and sterilized cats cannot develop prostate, uterine and ovarian cancer. The diet for the old man at home must be varied, alternating wet food with dry food specifically for older cats. The reason is that foods suitable for feline aging are suitable for maintaining a healthy urinary tract and preventing kidney and bone damage. Furthermore, it is important to remember the calls for mandatory vaccines, how to make sure that the environment where the animal lives is clean, protected, without temperature fluctuations (not too hot or too cold) and to provide him with clean, freshwater, as well as scrupulously observe litter hygiene , changing it often and cleaning it at least once a day. Brush the cat’s coat often, no matter whether it is long-haired or short-haired. This serves to eliminate dead hair and prevent the cat from suffering from hairballs. Moreover, it will be the litmus test to understand if the pesticides are doing their duty or not. Fleas and ticks can be annoying for young cats, but they are detrimental to an old man, who can not only go crazy for the itch to tear the hair, but parasites can attack the feline of diseases that, in conjunction with other health problems, can cause even lethal complications.