Aging Cat Health Problems

Dehydration and Constipation

• Old cats don't drink as much water as they should, which results in constipation and dehydration. An elderly cat needs ready access to water. Not drinking enough fluids aggravates the aging digestive system, which tends to become sluggish. If your cat has anal-gland problems or is suffering from arthritis, this can cause him pain when he is eliminating. Because it hurts to go to the bathroom, your cat may avoid doing so, which is going to cause constipation. If you have noticed that your cat hasn't had a bowel movement in a day or two, a visit to the vet is in order. Constipation can be an indication of other serious feline diseases.

Weight Loss

• An old cat can get fat but it is more likely that he will lose weight and look bony because cats lose their ability to digest and absorb fat when they are older. If your cat is losing too much weight, ask your vet what foods you should be giving to him or if you should change the way you're feeding him. Older cats often prefer a couple of small meals each day rather than a big meal once or twice a day, according to Life.familyeducation.com.

Potential

• An elderly, arthritic cat is probably not going to want to exercise but she needs to. You can encourage her to do so by using ramps so that she can climb up, rather than leap onto, a chair, perch or bed. If your cat simply can't get around that much, massage her muscles and joints daily. This will help her muscles and joint stay strong and flexible and will stimulate circulation.

Effects

• Cats go gray, just like humans. Changes in the fur texture and thinning of the coat will occur due to age but also can be an indication of nutritional deficiencies. Your cat's skin will become less elastic, dryer and thinner, which makes it mores susceptible to infection and injury. The healing process will be slower. Regular grooming of your cat's coat will help distribute natural oils as well as stimulate oil glands.

Considerations

• The claws on an old cat can become brittle and dry. Older cats don't claw as much, so you may need to give yours a manicure to keep his claws in good shape.

Diseases

• The medical problems that older cats face include kidney or renal disease. When the kidneys aren't functioning correctly, this results in waste products building up in the cat, resulting in decreased appetite, depression, weight loss, increased urination, thirst and dehydration.

  Diabetes can crop up in older cats, according to Professorhouse.com. When this happens, the cat's body is energy-starved. The cat may suddenly develop a huge appetite and become very thirsty and pee a lot.

  Cats also can suffer from inflammatory bowel and dental disease as well as hyperthyroidism, which can result in vast weight loss in a short period of time, increased thirst and urination, diarrhea, a big appetite, behavior changes, high blood pressure and a rapid heartbeat.