Cat Channel / Cats and Kittens / Senior Cat Care

Weight Gain On Senior Cat

TheZoo — Mon, 12 May 2008 18:18:45 GMT

My boyfriends mother has an old tabby cat, but she can no longer keep weight on him. He is definatly up there in years, so I know what the weight loss could mean. But I was wondering if anyone knows is there is any supplement we could place in his food to try and fatten him up a bit?

There are several reasons why he can be losing weight, but is there anything over the counter (other then a high protein diet) to keep meat on his bones?

Thanks A Bunch,

TheZoo

What Makes a Cat a "Senior?"

renosteinke — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 01:11:05 GMT

Maybe this new forum needs to define the term.

Is a cat a 'senior' at 6, or 16, or when it starts showing signs of age?

Does it matter whether the cat is feral or indoor-only?

Do age-related issues have any connection to breeds? For example, do Persians live longer then Siamese?

Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

vettechgirl — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 17:09:10 GMT

I have been out of vet tech school for a while and have not worked at a vet clinic in about three years so I will admit that I am rusty. Also, I don't have much experience with elderly cats- at least living with them full time.

I noticed today that Snowflake (13 year old spayed female) had two round, whitish-grey colored abnormalities on either side of her bottom canine teeth. They felt just like her regular gum, and they were perfectly uniform on each side (I will do what I can in a few days or so to get a picture up). I have also noticed that she hasn't been eating as well lately. Some days she will eat all of her food (I portion feed my cats twice a day), some days she will pick at her food, other days, she will hardly eat anything. She is not salivating when she eats and she is not eating strangely (such as in the manner that she moves her mouth and head). She is still attempted to chew her food.

She also is not grooming herself hardly if at all. I have likened this to her getting older. She was an outdoor kitty for 7 years before I moved out on my own, and she has had a very rough life. Her body feels and she looks more like she's 20 than 13.

The pictures I looked up did not look like squamous cell carcinoma except for one:
http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2722&S=1&SourceID=42

You can see in the picture by the cat's gums what appear to be a circle. This is what Snow has, but I've never noticed it before.

If this is no squamous cell carcinoma, I would happily hear any other suggestions on what it could be! I really can't afford the vet, but I will if I have to- that's what credit cards are for.

Thank you all!

Need help with my older cat...

MontyCora — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 08:06:52 GMT

Hi you all,

I really need some help and guidance with my older cat. He is extremely depressed. I will tell you the whole scenario and let me know what you think I should do...

Well, first of all the cat that we are talking about is almost 15 years old, but he does not act like one. He was still very playful and happy. He has been my only cat for all this time. I never had any other pet, he was my only son. His name is Francisco. He has always been my loyal companion. I Can't live without him and he can't live without me. I have moved to several countries and he has always come with me. When I spend a month away, he keeps meowing around the house looking for me... Anyway, usually when I wake up, he is standing by my bed waiting for me to get up, he meows a bit waiting for me to pet him while he eats. Then I go to the bathroom to get my make-up done and he sits by my feet. wherever I am, he comes along. At night when I come back from work, is pretty much the same thing. And he ALWAYS sleeps with me.

Ok, now here's the variable that changed this equation... On the Christmas week, I rescued 6 kittens. They were abandoned by their mom. If I hadn't done that, they would have died. I had to bottle feed them and all. I already spent a month with these kittens and my sister and I became way more attached than we should, so we've decided to keep the kittens. We feel that no one will take better care than us... especially here in Brazil, where I live... Anyway, since I rescued the kitties, Francisco has been in a roller-coaster of emotions, he does eat and drink water, but his behavior changed drastically... He is totally aloof, he sleeps all day, more than he used to. He doesn't play anymore with me, he doesn't follow me around the house, he doesn't even sleep with me anymore. I try to force him, sometimes he stays, but most of the times he walks away... He hasn't purred in a long time....

Now my question is: is this a phase only until he gets used to the new kitties or will he stay like this until he dies of sadness??? DO I have a chance of them getting along or should I just try to find a home for the kitties before it's too late? I really don't know what to do, cause I love the kitties, but I don't want my old buddy to get miserable... What do you guys suggest??? Please help!!! I love the new kitties, but I want my older one to be the way he used to be and not fall into deep depression...

caring for older cat with arthritis

robow48 — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 10:52:37 GMT

Hi everyone,
I am a new member to this forum. We have a 14 year old cat who is generally in good health although a few things have cropped up this past year as he ages. We know he has started moving a bit slower as we all do as we get older. He seems lately to have a bit more trouble getting up on the sofa etc. and going up and down stairs etc. I'm sure he has arthritis and his joints are becoming stiff.
Have any of you used any sort of dietary supplement etc. for this and if so would you give me some ideas on which ones are the best and safest to use? There is so much stuff out there that I really don't know which one to go with.
Thank you so very much.

Rosie

"Senior" cat food

daisy4me2 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 09:22:47 GMT

Hi. I'm wondering if someone might have some insight as to the confusion I have regarding "senior" cat food. Most commercial brands state that 7 years is when we should switch. My previous vet said that was too young. Booker and Jambes are now 9 and 10 years old respectively. Do you think its time to start feeding them "senior" food? Thanks!

In the spirit of this season of thankfulness and joy..

LolaPurrLooza — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 00:06:56 GMT

Hi everyone. I've been a pretty new member here for a while. As some of you may know, I work as a Tech at an animal hospital in my area. I've experienced many things here, good and bad. I've assisted in helping the worst cases go home healthy. I've stood by and comforted those who could not go on and hopefully eased them with my touch to a better place. I've cried with happiness and and with grief. Every animal I've been involved with has been special to me.

But a certain one now just tugs at my heart.

On this past Halloween a stray came into our practice, dropped off by a caring person that happened to find her roaming in her yard. Normally we don't keep strays, but this certain cat..an elderly medium-haired spayed female, pure white, severely matted and emaciated..earned a warm soft bed and a good meal. Initially named "Ghost" by a co-worker and I, she was later renamed "Gigi".

The shaving of her mats revealed a skeletal remainder of what a cat should be. Every bone in her body stood out in stark relief; her skin paper-thin over her body. Our doctors here digagnosed her with hyperthyroidism after she failed to gain weight on a good diet and was put on the proper medication. All through the poking and prodding she was put through, she remained a sweetheart. Never fussing or fighting, with a ready purr, her light green eyes radiated trust and thanks.

"Gigi" stayed with us a while on fluids and medications until it was deemed she was healthy enough to go to the local MSPCA to be put up for adoption. Two weeks went by, until this past Thursday I went back into work to find her in one of the wards in my charge.

The MSPCA couldn't place her. As a senior cat, and one with a health issue that would need ongoing medical attention, there was really little option for a home for her.

Honestly, I was thrilled to see her back. I took her out of her cage and cuddled her gently, loving the sound of her rough purr as she bumped her head gently against my chin.

Gigi has no home right now, nor an option for one outside of our medical facility for as long as the doctors here choose to let her stay. Time is of the essence for her, and as well for me, as I decide what to do.

I already share a home with three cats. Her medical issues will need to be constantly addressed. And, as one of the doctors I work with has put it, her care is a "short-term investment".

My three boys are very mellow. My oldest two, Loki and Simba, accepted Mugsy..a rambunctious pain in the *** kitten.. with a minimum of strife. I have the time to integrate another cat slowly into the household. I have an extra room that, when I'm not home, she may find comfort, peace and warmth.

Not many people think to adopt or provide an older animal with a home. I do understand this myself; you don't want to get attatched, only to lose the one you love so soon.

But too many older animals go without homes. Many, with loving care, can live far beyond their projected lifespans. Which, I hope, will be the case with Gigi.

Good or bad, this lil' old lady is coming home with me to live out her last years in comfort.

~Lola~

Advice on Elderly Cat Care

glamorilla — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 17:45:53 GMT

Hi everyone!

New poster here!

And getting right into it my cat is beginning to really get on in her years. Shes somewhere between the age of 15 to 17. I've had her almost eleven years now and she belonged to my dad for 4 to 6 years before that (i.e. my brother brought her home as a kitten somewhere between 1991 and 1993).

Mostly I would just appreciate what the thread title states...any advice, special things I may need to know or look out for...

For a little old lady I think shes doing very well...she recently lost one of her teeth and she gets a little limpy/crampy but overall shes still very kittenish, has her hearing and appears to be sharp...i freely admit to spoiling he rotten.

If She was sickly or something I'd opt for more professional medical attention but im single and slave to getting my rent covered every month. i know at some point i'm going to have to get to a vet.

I'd appreciate any advice.

Ideas for Special Food for Older Cat??

cricket — Wed, 20 May 2009 23:06:05 GMT

Apollo is not horribly old in years but he had a rough life before coming to me. When I took him in he was very thin, had serious teeth problems and an active case of Hemobartinella. Hemobart is basically an immune deficiency involving the red blood cells. He is now about 11 years old, a guess, has exactly half of his teeth and big problems eating. We visited the vet recently, I want to go back for a thorough mouth eval. I see him eating dry food but he can't chew well, he vomits almost every day. Chunks of food, as if he were eating too fast. He works at chewing wet food! He is just chronically skinny, and I hate it! I give him kitten food, canned, but he can't eat very much at a time. If he overdoes it he vomits. That certainly keeps the nutrition out of him!! He does real good on the gravy I pour off of cat food that includes gravy. But there just isn't enough of it.

I would love any suggestions! I'm thinking about baby food, could I suppliment taurine?

10 Tips for Making Your Senior Cat Comfortable

FeathersNFuz — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:50:22 GMT

From the pages of Cat Fancy magazine, Dusty Rainbolt brings you these ten tips to help your cats make the best of their golden years.

Senior cats need a little more care and attention as the years go by. Here are some ways to make your "golden oldie" as comfortable and happy as possible.

Vet visits twice a year
Because cats age at such a rapid rate compared to humans, the American Association of Feline Practitioners has recently revised its guidelines for senior cat care, recommending aging kitties be examined twice a year by their vets.

To read the other 9 tips, click here.

What additional tips would you add to this list. And which tips would you say are the most helpful for helping an aging cat more comfortable?

A Guide to Feeding Your Senior Cat

FeathersNFuz — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:46:37 GMT

By Francis A. Kallfelz, DVM

Some say a cat becomes a senior at age 7, which corresponds to a human age of 50. However, cats can be healthy at 15 to 20-plus years of age, indicating they might not be considered seniors until they are 10-12 years old. The age when a cat becomes a senior varies widely, depending on the individual cat and its circumstances.

Veterinarians base dietary recommendations on a cat's physical condition. Nutritional changes help prevent the onset of degenerative diseases that can occur as a cat ages.

Read more about nutritional changes for senior cats, Click Here

What nutritional changes have you made as your cat as aged? Are there things your senior cat likes or doesn't like about these changes?

Comfort and Care for the Aging Cat

FeathersNFuz — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:42:28 GMT

By Debra M. Eldredge

Cats are living longer lives. An 8-year-old cat was considered a senior 15 years ago. Today, many veterinarians wait until ages 10 or 12 to classify a cat as senior. And more and more cats are living into their 20s! However, along with longer lives come increased health concerns. It only takes a few adjustments to your cats daily routine to improve its well-being and quality of life well into the golden years.

Read more on comfort and care for your aging cat, click here

What has been your experience with an aging cat? What types of lifestyle changes have you made to help your cat adjust to transitioning into its senior years?

New Senior Cat Care Forum

FeathersNFuz — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 11:34:38 GMT

Hello CC Members!

September is Senior Care Health month and we thought that it would be appropriate to introduce a section on the CatChannel Forum dedicated to our senior felines. We hope that you'll find this new section userful.

And please post some photos of your Senior cats in this thread! I know how everyone loves showing off their kitties! Let's put our seniors in the spotlight!