Geriatric Cat Health Problems

A cat is considered to be geriatric by the time he reaches 12 years in age. A 12 year old cat is the equivalent of a 70 year old human. Fortunately, this does not mean that the cat is close to death. Recent advances in the last 10 years in both veterinary care and nutrition have provided cats with longer, healthier lives. Older cats are more prone to developing diseases, so regular check-ups with the veterinarian are needed to ensure the cat remains as healthy as possible.

  1. Internal Organs

    • Natural aging can cause some organs to wear out and fail. Changes in weight can be an early indication of disease, such as kidney failure. Changes in appetite, water intake and changes in bathroom habits or unusual feces or urine are also signs of health issues with an internal organ.

    Nutrition

    • As a cat ages, his metabolism will naturally slow down. This results in a higher ratio of body fat to muscle. Fortunately, wet and dry foods aimed at the nutritional needs of geriatric felines are available. These cats require regular teeth cleanings, especially if their diet consists of more wet food than dry food, since oral health issues such as tartar or gingivitis can quickly lead to gum damage, infection, tooth loss and, in severe cases, premature death. A good diet is also important to provide the cat with optimal nutrition, which helps to ward off infection or disease.

    Vision

    • Another potential part of the natural feline aging process may be a change of vision. For some cats, this could simply mean a slight change of vision, which may or may not be noticeable to their owners. For other cats, this could mean blurred vision or total blindness. A veterinarian will perform an opthalmic exam because vision changes can indicate various eye diseases such as cataracts or glaucoma, which may require medication.

    Limbs

    • As a cat gets older, it is expected that her activity level will decrease. She may no longer wish to chase her old toys. While this is normal, for some cats this can indicate pain in the limbs. Pain in the limbs may be indicative of issues such as arthritis or osteosarcoma. Physical changes in how a cat's limbs feel, such as a lump on the bone or limping, may be a sign of a problem. A veterinarian can prescribe medications to ease the pain of arthritis or medications to treat other health issues that may affect the limbs.

    Exterior Appearance

    • The condition of a cat's exterior appearance can also be an indication of his health. As a cat ages, it is normal for his fur to be come less lackluster or soft. However, owners should be aware of hair loss, a greasy-looking fur coat, loss of grooming habits or other changes to their geriatric cat's fur. Changes in the fur coat can be indicative of internal health issues, such as improper nutrition or organ failure.