Pay close attention to the needs of your senior felines
Our middle-aged and senior felines need an extra measure of tender, loving care, complemented by extra veterinary care. As our felines age, we need to be aware of the aging symptoms we are looking for so our veterinarians can give an accurate diagnosis.
Begin by knowing your feline, including appetite, play, sleep, vocalizations, body mass, weight and texture of fur, just to name of few of the easiest changes to detect.
To understand when we should start to worry about changing habits, a definition of what is considered middle-aged and what is considered senior should be addressed. Even within these definitions a caveat should be noted. There is an age area between middle age and senior that may be defined as shaded gray. That means every animal will not react the same at the same age.
Most experts define middle age as between 8 and 10 years. I have four felines about 10 or older. Two are still kitten crazy and the other two slumber more during the day.
I think it is easier to understand the contrast in multiple feline homes, but know your feline's routine at any age.
Senior felines are about 11 to 14 years old. These seniors are 65 years and older in human equivalency. Felines more than 15 years old are considered geriatric. These days we are pushing the limits of feline geriatrics with better foods, supplements and advances in veterinary care.
My oldest geriatric lived two months shy of 26 years of age. That is why I am a big advocate of feeding the best food you can afford. The first ingredient should be a pure protein, not a filler.
Many foods geared to middle age or seniors have supplements added to assist in joint care and digestion. Just think of your older feline like an older human, they too become less physically active and more mentally challenged.
Besides quality food, supplements like cosequin can assist joint stiffness. Extra soft orthopedic bedding can sooth aching joints, too.
Think about the shape of the litter box if your feline is going right next to the litter pan instead of in it. A three-sided pan, or a pan that has a low entry, may be needed.
Even if you have one feline, you may have to resort to multiple litter pans around your home. Multiple boxes will also assist a feline with impaired vision. If a feline's vision is getting gradually worse, do not change the location of the boxes, merely add more.
Another rule of thumb for anyone with a senior feline is to schedule veterinary appointments at a minimum of twice a year. As our pets age, their immune systems weaken, just like ours. They become more susceptible to colds, infections and other ailments that can be detected by a senior blood panel test. A simple blood test can detect the early onset of many diseases such as kidney and liver malfunction and diabetes.
Dental problems also intensify with age, so prompt attention to feline dental hygiene is a must. An infection in the mouth may trigger a bad result on a blood test.
As your feline ages, you can still provide mental stimulation by making his environment interesting. You should still encourage interest in toys and treats. If they think you have given up, they will stop caring about important day-to-day activities, like grooming.
If this happens, as a good and caring feline enthusiast, you must take over the grooming responsibilities by brushing them daily. Our senior felines have earned that for all the many years of love and joy they have given to us.
• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is an all-volunteer, nonprofit organization with all funds directly assisting its animals. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit thebuddyfoundation.org.