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It is not uncommon for us to now see cats living much longer due to better nutrition, veterinary and home care. Many cats can live into their late teens and early twenties and it is important to understand that they will undergo certain physiological and behavioural changes with age.

Some changes, such as reduced kidney function, may be associated with diseases that affect how long and how well your cat will live. Others, such as a decreased ability to see, hear and taste, may require certain changes in how you interact with and care for your cat. Older cats can be classified as “mature or middle aged” (7-10 years), “senior” (11-14 years), and “geriatric” (15+ years). We all want to grow old with grace and dignity and we want the same for our cats!

Creating a senior cat friendly home

As with cats of any age, it is important to address their environmental needs, which are outlined thoroughly on our information page “Environmental needs of cats”. The “five pillars of a healthy environment” require some additional thought to enhance the lives of our elderly cats. Some of these minor modifications are outlined below:

Pillar 1: Provide a safe place.

Every cat needs a safe and secure place to retreat to so that they feel protected. Older cats may require multiple, easily accessible resting and hiding spaces. This may mean lowering the height of their bed or changing the location entirely.

Cats are vertical animals and our older kitties are no different. However, they may find it more difficult accessing their favourite vantage points due to sore joints and the reduced ability to jump.  To make it easier for them to access some of these spots, we can provide them with a little assistance. This may include implementing a series of shallow steps/levels or ramps with a gentle incline.

Pillar 2: Provide multiple and separated key environmental resources: food, water, toileting areas, scratching areas, play areas and resting or sleeping areas.

A cat’s key environmental resources include food, water, toileting areas, scratching areas, play areas and resting or sleeping areas. If your cat is finding stairs difficult, it is important to ensure that all of your cat’s needs are met on one level. This will avoid any risk of being unable to access important resources.

Feeding

As your cat’s sense of smell and taste diminish, they may need a little encouragement to eat. This may include offering small meals more frequently, slightly warming food, changing the consistency of the food (i.e. soft food for those with dental problems), experimenting with different types of bowls or even slightly raising the height of the bowl to offer a more comfortable eating position for those with arthritis in the neck.

Drinking

Older cats are prone to conditions that predispose to dehydration and subsequent constipation. Make sure there are multiple water sources around the home, away from feeding areas. Offer different types of containers (plastic, ceramic, glass) and even different types of water i.e. tap, boiled, filtered etc. as some can become fussy. Feeding wet or canned food and even adding additional water to this food will help increase water intake.

Toileting

Indoor litter trays should be provided even if your cat has regularly chosen to toilet outdoors. There will come a time when an elderly cat may not want to walk too far, or be exposed to the elements. If you provide a litter tray you then have the opportunity to check your cat’s elimination habits for blood in the urine or stools, change in consistency of stools or other indicators of disease.

Litter trays should normally be located well away from other resources, such as food and water but for the very elderly or those cats suffering from cognitive dysfunction it is appropriate for all its resources to be located in easy reach to avoid confusion.

Large, open trays with low sides are ideal as covered trays or those with high sides can sometimes be difficult to negotiate. Litter tray liners should be avoided as they can catch in your cat’s claws. Litter trays should be cleaned regularly, especially if your cat is suffering from a condition that causes increased thirst and urination. Sometimes older cats will prefer finer litter as it is gentler on their feet. (For more information on optimal litter tray management click here.)

Scratching

Elderly cats are less likely to use the tall/vertical scratching posts as this can put strain on arthritic joints. Offering similar horizontal surfaces can satisfy those that still enjoy scratching and the action provides important exercise for the muscles of the forelimbs.

Play areas

It is important that activity and movement around the house is made as easy as possible for your older cat. This may mean laying mats on slippery surfaces (tiles, wood) to allow them to feel more stable and comfortable walking as if they feel unstable they may be less inclined to exercise. Cut pile carpets and rugs are more comfortable than loop pile, as long nails tend to get caught in loop pile. Cats also find cut pile carpet a comfy place to play, especially if they like to lie down in the process.

Sleeping areas

Some of your cat’s favourite locations for sleeping may be on raised surfaces such as your bed or windowsill and these may become difficult to access with progressive stiffness or weakness in the joints.  Placement of steps, platforms or a ramp may allow them to reach these areas more easily.

If your cat likes to sleep on a window sill or other narrow platform it is advisable to place a soft padded object underneath to prevent injury as many older cats have impaired balance and could easily fall. Ideally elderly cats should be encouraged to use secure or wider surfaces for sleep. Bedding should be comfortable/padded, warm and washable.

Once resources have been placed in a suitable position they should not be moved to avoid confusion. Similarly, the moving of furniture to new locations should be avoided. Feeding time and place should be consistent to maintain routine- upon which older cats in particular rely. The addition of a night light may help a cat with declining senses to feel more secure.

Pillar 3: Provide opportunities for play and predatory behaviour

Play and predatory behaviour allow cats of any age to fulfil their natural need to hunt. Methods of play may need to be adapted as your cat ages. Larger toys such as “kitty kickers” are useful to encourage your cat to lie on its side, grab the toy with the front paws and kick with the back legs. This gives great exercise for stiff hind limbs and is a type of play enjoyed by many.

A cardboard box on its side with the opening facing your cat will enable it to walk in and investigate. Paper bags can also provide opportunities for exploration, particularly if they crinkle, but these should not be left unattended.

Pillar 4: Provide positive, consistent and predictable human-cat interaction

Cats are social animals. They need companionship and mental stimulation, and this need may increase as they age due to cognitive dysfunction or other underlying medical conditions. Social companionship can be in the form of grooming and stroking, feeding, and play.

Older kitties often experience trouble grooming themselves so may need to be brushed gently to avoid the coat matting, which can be very uncomfortable. This often occurs over the lower spine and hindquarters as your cat may be less flexible.  A thorough grooming session also gives you the opportunity to check for any lumps, bumps or sores that may require veterinary attention.

Older cats tend to develop overgrown claws due to lack of activity and these can become caught in carpets or furniture, or may even overgrow and stick into their toe pads!. Claw trimming should be carried out regularly and we can certainly do this for you here at the hospital if you are unsure.

Some cats can develop cognitive dysfunction, which is similar to human dementia. Keeping consistency with the household routine is important, and avoid moving furniture around to the environment is predictable. Many of these cases can benefit from medications to help their brain function better.

Pillar 5: Provide an environment that respects the importance of the cat’s sense of smell

Unlike us humans, cats use their sense of smell to evaluate their surroundings. Cats mark their scent by rubbing their face and body depositing natural pheromones within the boundaries of their safe, secure territory. Feliway is a synthetic feline facial pheromone that can mimic the cat’s natural pheromones and provide a calming effect in stressful or unfamiliar situations. A cat with declining senses may feel more at ease with the addition of Feliway in the home.

Medical care for seniors

Cats are masters at hiding disease and may appear well, despite underlying problems. Examining cats more often as they age will help detect problems earlier, often resulting in easier disease management and a better quality of life.

A senior cat aged over 11 years ideally should have a thorough physical examination by a Veterinarian every 6 months, this is equivalent to once every two human years!. These visits will become more frequent once evidence of an age-related disease process is discovered. Health changes can occur quickly as cats age faster than humans.

A senior cat wellness visit may consist of updating vaccinations, parasite prevention and treatment, and checking:

• Weight and body condition
• Skin and coat quality
• Mouth, gums and teeth
• Eyes and ears
• Thyroid gland
• Heart and lungs
• Abdomen
• Joints and muscles
• Any changes in condition from previous examinations

At least once a year ideally from the age of 8 years, wellness screening should be carried out via performing a series of laboratory tests, including; a complete blood count, serum biochemistry, total serum thyroxine (screening for hyperthyroidism), urinalysis and blood pressure.  The frequency of these tests increases as cats age. Watching trends can allow detection of disease earlier so better management and quality of life can be achieved.

It is important to know your cat’s habits and be aware of any changes, after all you are the one who knows your cat best! There are a number of changes in particular that if noticed should receive the attention of a Veterinarian straight away, including;

• Loss of appetite
• Difficulty eating (dropping food, chewing food on one side, eating more slowly, red swollen bleeding gums, drooling, bad breath – all signs of potential dental disease and pain which can cause diminished quality of life)
• Weight loss
• Drinking more often or drinking a larger amount per day
• Stiffness, lameness or difficulty in jumping up
• Lethargy
• Lumps or bumps anywhere on the body
• Balance problems
• Toilet accidents or difficulty passing urine or faeces
• Disorientation or distress
• Uncharacteristic behaviour, such as hiding, aggression, excessive vocalisation
• Vomiting

Many people worry about how their cat will cope with a trip to the Vet. With the right preparation, it doesn’t have to be a scary outing – for you or your cat. Firstly, ensure your cat has had time to acclimatise to their carrier well in advance of the appointment and make the carrier comfortable with soft, familiar bedding (Feliway is great here too!) (For tips on how to transport your cat to the vets click here.) Ensure you leave plenty of time to get to your appointment so you are unhurried and calm. Bring along a list of questions or concerns to discuss with us at your visit.

The International Society of Feline Medicine Cat Friendly Clinic program was designed to increase the standard of care provided to cats. As an accredited ISFM Gold Level Cat Friendly Clinic, here at Perth Cat Hospital we understand a cats unique needs, having implemented feline-friendly standards and created an environment that decreases stress and provides a more calming environment. The extra special needs of our older feline friends are always taken into account throughout their visit to the hospital. It is as important to us as it is to you that they are comfortable throughout their senior years.

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