- What old cats are usually sick with?
- Most often they are likely to suffer from a combination of several diseases than from one kind of disorder, as it was when they were young. They more rarely, than dogs, suffer arthritis; on the other hand often they often have kidney disorders. If your cat drinks and urinate more often, and loses weight and his health becomes worse show it to a doctor. Constipations and difficult urination are also typical for old cats. If your cat exert itself long in its' toilet stand, consult your veterinary.
Obesity may aggravate the state of an old cat or even cause new problems. That's why don't allow overweight to take place. And please remember, that tooth and gum diseases are often paid no attention and as a result, neglected.
- May cats-invalids be happy?
- Most old or deaf cats cope this situation well. If your cat is deaf, write on its' collar "I am deaf" and indicate you name and address. Then if the cat gets lost good neighbors will take it to your home. A cat may get used to absence of limb or tail.
Still there are many problems in the case of palsy. And a cat that fails to urinate and do some other things unaided, as well as leak and tidy itself up feels unhappy.
- Does some behavior problems take place?
- The most common problem is meowing at night. Some cats make their masters get up at night frequently and console and cheer them up. Some old cats feel diffident when need to do their deeds outside or in the garden because there are younger and more aggressive cats or because there's cold and wet outside. In this case put some toilet stand or several ones for your cat at home.
- Do old cats need special diet?
- Today there's no special diet for old cats (as well as for dogs), however veterinaries do certain dietary recommendations in case of kidney and heart disorders, and you may get such an advice. An aging alimentary tract becomes less effective and adapts to changes worse, therefore watch the diet to be well balanced and various, and your cat doesn't stay, say, on fish solely that doesn't contain all necessary nutrients.
- How will an old cat regard new kitten?
- Some cats like to be in the society of other cats and kittens, others don't. Therefore there's no common rule. An active kitten may oust an old cat out instead of amuse it, so think properly before.
- Should old cats be placed somewhere while its' masters are away?
- If you have kind neighbors who are able to visit your cat several times during a couple of days, then the cat is probable to bear parting quite well. But if you leave for a week or more, you'd better look for a nurse for your old cat or give him for this time to people whom your cat knows well or visit them earlier.
- Do old cats need much care?
- If your cat is more than eight-nine years it should be showed to a doctor once a year to diagnose possible disorders of health as soon as possible.
- How to make life of old cat more comfortable?
- As it was told, one should show it to a doctor routinely. Cut claws if needed, help keep its' hair tidy - comb it routinely (especially this concerns longhaired cats); check up if the place where it sleeps is warm, and not draughty and at easy access. Very old cat should be kept in a very warm room, since they are inactive and its' old coat doesn't warms it up.
Some more remarks:
If an old cat has problems with kidneys and is fed with dried food, watch it drink water enough.
Low-active cats spend less calories, hence don't allow your old cat eat more than it needs.
And of cause help a cat to take care of parts of its' body that she is not able to reach after it has lost is former flexibility.
Translated by Tatiana Karpova (Moscow)
(MSU, Biology faculture, Dep. zoology and ecology).