Old Cat Hacks: Geriatric cats need special care to keep them comfortable and safe
Aging cats are a growing segment of the feline population, thanks to better veterinary care and nutrition and a powerful human-cat bond. What happens when they move from seniorhood to the geriatric stage — and what’s the difference?
Senior cats may still be active and reasonably healthy, but geriatric cats are fragile, with health conditions that make them vulnerable to mobility issues, anxiety, urinary incontinence and sleep disturbances. At last month’s virtual Cat Writers Association conference, veterinarian Mary Gardner, co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, shared tips on recognizing feline geriatric issues and making the lives of old cats better for the time they have remaining.
Clues that a cat is geriatric include trouble getting on and off furniture, not making it to the litter box or struggling to get in or out of it, frequent urinary tract infections and signs of dementia, such as howling or seeming lost. They need extra-special care, and there are ways to set up your home to help give them good quality of life.
Mobility is the No. 1 issue for geriatric cats, Gardner says. Common causes are arthritis, neuropathy (nerve damage), inflammation, back problems, obesity and muscle wasting. “Almost all old cats have a form of arthritis,” she says.
An osteoarthritis checklist (bit.ly/catoachecklist) asks whether cats can walk up and down stairs easily, jump up to and down from perches normally, run and chase bugs or toys. If the answer to any of these questions is no, arthritis is likely the culprit. Gardner adds that a bit of fur standing up along the spine can also indicate pain. Photos or videos of your cat’s movement around the house can help your veterinarian reach a diagnosis, and medication can help.
Use ramps, pet steps and smart furniture placement to aid cats in getting to their favorite comfortable or sunny spots. Apply nonslip adhesive strips to ramps or steps that don’t come with them. Placing an end table next to a cat tree can help old cats reach perches that might otherwise be inaccessible.
For cats with shoulder arthritis, elevated tilted food bowls (available from online merchants) can make it easier for them to eat. A cat who enjoyed drinking from a bathroom faucet but was in pain from shoulder arthritis benefited from adhesive nonslip pawprint-shaped treads placed in the sink to provide traction.
Geriatric cats may be less able to groom themselves, so brush them regularly and trim their hind nails if they’re unable to reach them. They may also need cleaning with baby wipes.
Getting into or out of the litter box is often difficult for geriatric cats. Instead of a standard litter box, provide a large plastic storage box or underbed sweater box with an opening cut in the side for easy entry and exit. Use only a shallow amount of litter so it’s not difficult for them to walk through it. Pee pads are another option.
Pay attention to a cat’s litter box behavior. “Having trouble covering up poop may indicate shoulder or elbow pain that needs to be evaluated,” Gardner says.
Many old cats have diminished vision. Use night lights throughout the house or place light strips on the floor or stairs to help them find their way around.
Howling is a common sign of cognitive dysfunction. Take your cat to the veterinarian at the first sign for a cognitive assessment and to rule out a UTI or hypertension, both of which are treatable. There’s no cure for feline cognitive dysfunction, but progression can be slowed with medication, nutraceuticals and enrichment, Gardner says.
Finally, a quality-of-life scale can help you keep tabs on your geriatric cat’s comfort and happiness.
By Kim Campbell Thornton
Do you have a pet question? Send it to askpetconnection@gmail.com or visit Facebook.com/DrMartyBecker. Pet Connection is produced by veterinarian Dr. Marty Becker, journalist Kim Campbell Thornton, and dog trainer/behavior consultant Mikkel Becker. ©2023 Andrews McMeel Syndication
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Pet Connection: Vet shares tips to keep geriatric cats comfortable
