Senior Cats Have Senior Moments Too

The increased availability and advances made in animalof rooms the cat has access to so that it is less
care and medication has now afforded our pet cats aconfusing for them and playing soft quiet music in the
much longer life than ever before. It is not so unusualroom where the cat is may help to reassure them
these days for a cat to live well beyond 16 years ofmy providing extra reassurance especially at night
age and as much as we benefit from having our petstime.
with us longer, it does give rise to some healthCat owners also need to be aware of other changes
problems associated with the older cat.to their elderly cats behaviour and needs to be able
Just like us humans the senior cat will encounterto provide the right care and comfort for their pet.
general wear and tear on their bodies and generalLitter Tray habits may change due to the cat's
changes to their lifestyle, such as stiff joints, loss ofinability to climb easily into it as they once did due to
appetite, sleep changes and other age relatedarthritis or stiff joints. By making sure that several
illnesses. These changes will start to becomelitter trays are provided around the home with at
apparent to the cat owner after the pet reaches theleast one low side will make it far more convenient
age of 10 and often the first signs are generalfor the senior cat to use them.
slowing down and becoming less active in theirAppetite issues may arise die to the fact that elderly
day-to-day routine.cats may have a reduced sense of smell. This is
However it is not just physical changes that couldimportant to a cat to stimulate their appetite and
affect the senior cat, mental abilities may also bedesire for a particular food. Changing food brands
affected. A condition known as cognitive dysfunctionregularly and feeding only wet canned food, which is
syndrome or CDS can affect older cats and is similarthe most pungent is the best thing a cat owner can
to the human illness of Alzheimer's disease.do for their old cat. Pouring a little hot water onto
Symptoms include becoming generally confusedthe food will also increase its smell.
about where they are, who you are and forgettingSleeping patterns may change as well. These changes
where the litter tray is etc.can either be an increased amount of sleep and
CDS can be quite a distressing situation for the catactivity carried out by the cat, or being awake all
and will often cause changes in the cat's behaviour.night pacing the house and meowing. In either case
Examples of some of these behaviours are:there is not much a cat owner can do but to try and
1. Pacing around a room as if they are unsure whereencourage gentle play with a ball for the lethargic cat
they are and are exploring it for the first time, orto try and increase their alertness or to be
going from room to room looking for food and orsympathetic with the night time cat and try to
the litter tray.confine them to a cosy comfortable room during the
2. Loud persistent meowing, especially at nighttime.night.
Again this is thought to be because the cat is unsureAs with any change in cat behaviour old or young it is
of their surroundings and is calling out in distress oralways advisable to get them checked by a vet to
for your attention to reassure them.rule out any underlining illness that may produce
3. Being either over clingy to their owners orsimilar symptoms. But if your senior cat is pronounced
becoming more wary or changing their behaviourfit then just old age will have to account for their
towards their owners.lifestyle changes and allowances will have to be made
In these situations, medication may be able to beto make it easier for your cat to live a normal
prescribed by the vet to calm the distressed cat, butcomfortable life.
also the cat owner can help by reducing the amount