12

Looking Ahead

Senior Cat Behavior

With advances in veterinary medicine and improvements in feline nutrition, cats are living much longer. Diagnostic tests and treatments that were unheard of for companion animals years ago are becoming more easily available in just about every part of the country.

With early diagnosis and compliance on the part of the cat owner in terms of administering medication and feeding appropriate food, a cat who once might not have lived to the age of ten could be enjoying her sixteenth year now.

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Cats are generally considered geriatric at about seven to ten years, depending on the cat and which veterinarian you ask.

Many things affect your cat’s health in her senior years. A cat who hasn’t been fed good food, or one who has spent the majority of her life outdoors, may have a tougher time during her senior years than an indoor cat fed a top-quality diet. Genetics also plays a big role, so even though you might have given your cat the very best care, certain diseases and disorders may still be inevitable.

When your cat was younger, you might have had a schedule of taking her to the veterinarian once a year for her routine vaccinations and exam. Now that she’s in her senior years, the frequency of those visits should be increased to every six months. Early diagnosis can be the most important part of successful treatment for a variety of problems and diseases. Your veterinarian may also have a senior wellness program for his or her clients in which older animals get more extensive diagnostics. While some of these tests may not be within your budget, keep in mind that with early detection, the cost of maintaining your cat’s health can be far less than if a diagnosis is made late in the game.

Tests Needed for Your Geriatric Cat

  • Blood chemistry profile
  • Complete blood count (provides information on white and red blood cells and platelets)
  • Thyroid test
  • Urinalysis
  • Blood pressure check

BEHAVIOR AND PHYSICAL CHANGES

Behavior changes in older cats can range from relatively nonexistent to subtle to outright Jekyll and Hyde.

A cat who used to be sociable and loved affection may start displaying a cranky, cantankerous personality. A cat who was the big grouch of the house may now be settling into a more peaceful existence and showing more tolerance of other cats or family members. Your cat may now be showing a decrease in activity and spending more time sleeping in the sun than chasing imaginary prey. She may not show much of an interest in her scratching post or toys, or she may be using her post more than ever in order to get a full stretch to unkink those stiff joints.

Yowling, especially at night, is a relatively common behavior in older cats. It can be due to hyperthyroidism, age-related cognitive dysfunction, or confusion due to declining senses. If your old cat has started yowling, make sure she has had a thorough examination, including appropriate diagnostic tests to rule out any underlying medical cause. To ease her mind during the night, conduct a low-intensity play session so she’ll be more inclined to sleep. It can often be confusing for the older cat when the house suddenly becomes dark and quiet at night. If your cat’s vision has declined, that can add to her nighttime confusion. Leave some lights on, set some lights on timers, or use night-lights to provide comfort and familiarity and make it easier for her to navigate around the home.

If your cat yowls during the night, gently call out to her. She may be trying to locate you, and if you call to her, it may help her find her way back to you. You can also go and get her and set her up on your bed or in a cozy sleeping area in your bedroom.

If you think your cat may yowl when no one is at home during the day, or if you hear her yowling as you head out the door, leave a radio on or set your DVD player on a timer so she can watch a cat entertainment video, such as Video Catnip. Another option is to ask a neighbor to come in and visit with your cat every so often. If your cat enjoys the company of a neighbor’s teenager and the child is responsible about entering your home and locking the door when he leaves, perhaps you could pay him to visit and play with your cat.

Use Feliway Comfort Zone in the environment to help your cat continue to make positive associations with his surroundings and to identify objects.

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Although your cat may not be able to do the backflips and leaps she used to do in her youth, interactive playtime and solo play are still important aspects of her life. Modify the technique you use, if necessary, so your cat can still enjoy being the mighty hunter. Toy movements may need to be slower and the play sessions shorter. She may now enjoy just batting at a toy while lounging on the sofa. Set up solo activity toys and puzzle feeders to keep her mind engaged. It’s more important now than ever.

Your cat’s weight may be changing now that she’s older. If she’s less active, she may be putting on too much weight and that’s very stressful for her joints. It also puts her at risk for arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Because her activity level has declined, you should talk to your veterinarian about whether her food portions should be adjusted. You may find that she now does better with smaller, more frequent meals. They may be easier on her stomach, and she won’t feel the stress of having an empty tummy for too long. If your cat is physically fine, just overweight, then some increased activity is needed. Just because she’s older doesn’t mean she won’t benefit from play therapy, activity toys, and a more enriching environment.

For other older cats, the problem isn’t weight gain, but weight loss. Your cat’s declining senses may be causing her to have less of an appetite. Since cats depend on their sense of smell to entice them into eating, a declining sense of smell may be causing her to walk away from the food bowl. One way to spark her appetite may be to warm the food slightly to release more aroma. You may also want to ask your veterinarian about adding a little warm chicken broth to wet food. Your veterinarian may decide to prescribe an appetite stimulant if your cat has stopped eating.

There are senior cat food formulas available over-the-counter and through prescription. Senior formulas have reduced calories as well as added antioxidants. They’re also designed to be more easily digestible. Many of these senior foods also have increased fiber to aid gastrointestinal motility. Before switching your cat to a senior food, be sure you consult with your veterinarian. Some cats never need to transition to the senior formulas, whereas other cats truly benefit from them. Any change in diet is stressful for a cat and can cause digestive upset, so if your veterinarian does recommend a switch to a senior formula, do a gradual transition over the course of five to seven days.

Now is also the time to be diligent about your cat’s oral health. Periodontal disease can result in infection from the gums traveling through your cat’s bloodstream and ending up in vital organs. Brush your cat’s teeth regularly or use a veterinarian-recommended oral rinse. Your cat may also need a professional cleaning. Because anesthesia is involved, your veterinarian will do a series of tests to determine how healthy your cat is before setting up the dental appointment. If your cat is in good health, there’s very little risk involved in anesthesia. Complications from periodontal disease are more dangerous to your cat than the anesthesia is, so don’t let your fear of anesthesia keep you from getting your cat’s teeth properly cared for.

Look at your cat’s eyes. You may notice they have a bluish tint or a cloudy appearance. This could be a sign of cataracts. Have your veterinarian check your cat’s vision. If she does have decreased vision, it’s important not to make changes in her environment. This isn’t the time to rearrange furniture. Keep things as familiar as possible and your cat will do well navigating around the home.

Water is also a big issue with your geriatric cat. Some older cats start drinking less water when they really need to be increasing their consumption. Cats with chronic renal failure or diabetes need to drink a good amount of water each day. Step up your cleaning habits and make sure your cat’s water bowl stays clean and filled with fresh water. Pay attention to how much she drinks. If you suspect she isn’t drinking enough, consider getting a pet water fountain. Many cats enjoy playing with the water in the fountain and it entices them to drink more. If you think your cat might prefer a bubbling motion instead, there’s a fountain called The Bubbler. The product is available at pet supply stores and online. If you use a pet water fountain, keep it clean and filled with the right amount of water. It’s easy to forget about the fountain, and it can quickly become dried out or dirty.

MAKE ADJUSTMENTS AS NEEDED

Just because your cat may not be able to jump up to her favorite perches anymore doesn’t mean she shouldn’t have access to them. If there are some favorite elevated perches that she has always enjoyed, make it easier for her to reach them safely. You can construct a little ramp or carpeted stairway for her or buy one at your local pet supply store. More and more companies are making ramps and stairs for older animals, offering them the opportunity to still enjoy sitting in a sunny window or sleeping on the bed.

Your cat’s tolerance for cold has probably decreased now that she’s older, especially if she’s underweight. Be sensitive to drafts around her feeding station, litter box, and favorite sleeping areas. Even if there isn’t a draft, the day-to-day temperature in your home may not be as comfortable for her as it once was. There are heated pet beds available at pet supply stores and online that can provide a toasty little place for your cat to take one of her many afternoon naps. In addition to heated pet beds, many cats enjoy the warmth and softness of fleece bedding. If your cat would normally sleep on the open perch of a cat tree or on the bedspread, she may enjoy the surrounding warmth of a doughnut-shaped fleece bed that helps contain her body heat.

Your cat might have once been very particular about her grooming habits and had the sleekest coat of any feline, but as a geriatric kitty, she may be letting some of her daily hygiene slide. Even if you have a short-haired cat who never required much brushing, get a soft bristle brush and do a daily grooming session. In addition to assisting her in removing dead hair, you’ll be providing a massage to stimulate circulation. The grooming also gives you the valuable opportunity to check for any suspicious lumps that may have suddenly appeared. Your cat may also not be as meticulous about what’s going on in her hindquarter region. You may have to use a warm, soft, dampened cloth to help her clean any fecal matter or urine stains.

If your cat goes outdoors, it’s now time to reconsider if she should be exclusively indoors. With declining senses and less ability to escape danger, your cat is at high risk. She’s no match for a younger, tougher opponent now. There are also contagious diseases and parasites out there. Now isn’t the time to compromise her health and immune system.

THE LITTER BOX

Litter box problems can easily show up in a geriatric cat. It may be that due to chronic renal failure or diabetes your cat simply can’t make it to the box in time. Arthritis may make it too difficult for your cat to climb over a high-sided box or perch in a covered box. She also may just not have the bladder control she used to have. With a decrease in activity and a less efficient digestive system, constipation can also be a problem in older cats. Your cat may develop a litter box avoidance problem because she associates the pain of constipation or a urinary condition with the box itself. She also may just need to eliminate right where she is, even if it’s far from the box. In a multicat home, your geriatric cat may be ambushed in the box or lose part of her claimed area to a young upstart companion cat.

As your cat shows signs of age, you need to reevaluate her litter box situation and make necessary modifications. If the covered litter box is creating discomfort, remove the lid. If your arthritic cat has difficulty getting over a high-sided box, replace it with a low-sided one. Use a litter-scatter mat in front of the box if you’re concerned about how much litter your cat may send flying all over the floor.

Your older cat’s aim may be a little off now and she may overshoot in the box. If she has arthritis, she may also be standing up more to urinate instead of squatting. Use Catpaper under and around the box to absorb any overspray. The Catpaper will protect your floors and carpet.

Increase the number of litter boxes and place them in more convenient, open areas. As your cat ages, the more remote the box, the more likely she’ll have trouble remembering where it is. If your home has more than one level, have a litter box on each one in case your older kitty has difficulty going up and down stairs.

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When you scoop the litter box, use that as an opportunity to monitor your cat’s health. Check for signs of diarrhea or constipation. Also, check the size of the urine clumps. If the size seems to be increasing, your cat may be in renal failure or may have diabetes. If the urine clumps are shrinking, she may have a urinary tract disorder or isn’t drinking enough water. Either situation should be brought to your veterinarian’s attention right away.

If your cat has become incontinent, or if she sleeps so soundly that she sometimes urinates in her sleep, cover her sleeping area with towels. If she does have decreased bladder control, examine her carefully on a regular basis because she may have dried urine on her fur or urine scalds on her tender skin. Look for red spots on the skin or signs of irritation.

FELINE COGNITIVE DISORDER

Another change to be aware of is called feline cognitive disorder. Similar to Alzheimer’s disease, FCD is more serious than the normal brain deterioration that comes with age. FCD doesn’t affect every cat, but if you suspect your cat’s behavioral change isn’t just normal aging, talk to your veterinarian.

Some Signs of FCD

  • Excessive vocalization (especially at night)
  • Disorientation
  • Anxiety
  • Nonrecognition of family members
  • Elimination outside the litter box
  • Change in normal sleeping patterns
  • Changes in relationships with other pets in the home
  • Pacing
  • Uncharacteristic avoidance or dislike of physical interaction

FCD needs to be accurately diagnosed because your cat’s behavior changes may be due to another underlying medical condition. For example, a sudden dislike of being touched may be due to arthritis. A change in litter box habits may be due to renal failure or hyperthyroidism. A change in personality could have hyperthyroidism as the underlying cause as well.

FCD will, unfortunately, progress. Medication may help slow the progression, however. Your veterinarian will guide you as to what’s appropriate for your cat.

To help your cat during this time, keep the environment familiar. Don’t rearrange furniture, and avoid making major changes in her life (no new pets, renovation, new furniture, and so forth) if at all possible. Increase the number of litter box locations in case your cat has trouble remembering where her box is.

A cat with FCD may need to be confined at night. At the very least, make sure doors are closed to rooms where she may hurt herself.

Continue to provide stimulation for your cat through interactive play therapy to help exercise her memory. Make sure your play sessions are appropriate for her physical capabilities and health.

OTHER COMPANION ANIMALS IN THE HOME

Sometimes the geriatric cat will lose her status in a multicat home, especially if she develops health problems. When a lower-ranking cat sees that the geriatric cat no longer poses much of a threat, there may be some takeover attempts. Other cats in the home may start pushing their way into the older cat’s food bowl or taking over her favorite sleeping places.

Monitor the dynamics in your home to make sure your older kitty isn’t becoming a victim. If she can still access high elevations, that may help her retain some of her status. Create stairs, ramps, or some other ways for her to still be able to get to her cherished elevated areas.

Watch what happens at the feeding stations. You may have to play security guard or set up some additional feeding stations to make sure your older cat can find a quiet and secure place for a meal.

If you’re thinking that the addition of another cat might put a little spark back into your geriatric kitty, think very carefully before doing this. Many people make the mistake of getting a young kitten for a very old cat. Kittens don’t have the sense of territory that an adult cat has and will end up in the older cat’s face way too often. It can also be very stressful for an older cat to have to endure a kitten’s endless energy. Stress is one of your cat’s biggest enemies. The last thing your geriatric cat needs right now is the stress of having a young kitten around. Your cat’s senior years are a time when she should feel relaxed, safe, and able to enjoy life with you without having to worry about a newcomer.

If you decide that your geriatric cat would truly benefit from a companion, follow the instructions in chapter 9 on how to do a proper introduction. Keep your cat’s personality in mind when trying to match her with a companion. If she’s sedentary and quiet in her senior years, she may do better with a cat who is also a bit older, or at least one who isn’t racing around at top speed twenty-four hours a day.

SHOW PATIENCE AND TOLERANCE

Your cat depends on you to notice when something’s wrong. She can’t tell you that she’s in pain or that her arthritis is acting up. She can’t say that she has a horrible headache due to elevated blood pressure. You need to be very observant because noticing little things can make a huge difference in your cat’s health and welfare.

Be tolerant of litter box mishaps, and other behavior problems. Set your kitty up to succeed in her later years by creating an elder kitty–friendly environment, monitoring her health, keeping tabs on the dynamics within a multipet home, and helping your cat remain active and vital.

ENJOY THIS TIME TOGETHER

These can be years of contentment, affection, and closeness. Your once high-speed kitty might now live life in the slow lane, but there’s something to be said for a cat who’s happiest when she’s curled up in your lap. Enjoy the fact that she loves stretching out next to you when you’re sitting down to read a magazine or watch TV. One of my most cherished memories of my twenty-year-old cat is the sound of his familiar purr. Through all our years together, his half-rattling, half-buzzing purr became my special bedtime lullaby. When I climbed into bed, turned out the light, and that one-of-a-kind purr revved up, all the stress of the day was forgotten.

Enjoy this time while you have it.