Similar to increasing human life spans, our feline companions are living longer than ever before, the current world record holding feline is an incredible 29 years old. Cats are considered to be mature between seven and ten years old (44-56 human years), senior between the ages of eleven and fourteen years (60-72 human years), and super senior when over fifteen years (human age 76 plus).
Cat experts now discuss a distinction between life span, and health span, with health span being the years of a cat’s life when there are no age related conditions and they enjoy good health. Typically the health span is around 12 years, compared with life span which can be years longer
As with ourselves, ageing in cats can have multiple effects, including changes to kidney function, body condition, the senses, dental health, joint health to name just a few. It is common for senior and super senior cats to have multiple age related health conditions.
With our older cats we have an opportunity to recognise these conditions and to intervene to help prolong the health span as far as possible. Treatments and management options are available which can make a significant difference to their quality of life. It can be tricky to realise sometimes that our feline friends are affected by these conditions, as they are generally very good at masking ill health. For example arthritic cats may not noticeably limp, but might modify their habits to avoid jumping onto higher surfaces, or spend more time sleeping.
Dental disease can be difficult to spot as many cats will eat well regardless of tooth pain. It is common in cats that after the age of ten years body weight tends to decrease, with muscle loss part of this change. However cats with age related conditions, eg kidney disease or hyperthyroidism, will have more rapid loss of condition.
Signs such as altered behaviour, weight loss, an increased thirst or urinating more, changes to appetite, reduced activity can be crucial clues that our cats need veterinary attention. Early recognition and treatment is key to helping our feline friends.
Check ups which can include weight checks, oral and orthopaedic exam, blood pressure checks, urine testing and blood testing are useful ways of identifying undiagnosed diseases. Once yearly vet visits are suggested by feline experts for mature cats, 6 monthly visits for seniors and possibly more frequent visits for super seniors.
We often worry about making our cats anxious by taking them to the vet surgery, but do ask for advice as there are ways we can try to make visits less stressful.
Vets and nurses are keen to help keep cats purring!
