Elderly Cat Health Problems

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Before we can discuss a few things that you can do to help avoid older cat health problems, we should make sure that we are on the same page. At what age does a cat become old? At what point do regular cat health issues become senior cat health problems. A cats average life expectancy is about 16 years but they can live well past 20. This makes it safe assume that as your cat passes that 10 year mark, that they could be considered senior citizens. Why is this important to know? Like humans there are many health issues that older cats are more susceptible to. Some of these health problems are even quite similar to those that human beings suffer from.

Signs Of Elderly Cat Health Problems

What are some signs that your pet is beginning to develop older cat health problems? The most common signs, in older cats, that there may be a health issue brewing is lack of appetite and, or grooming. If you notice that your cat has completely given up on grooming themselves, there is a chance that something is wrong. As cats get older they will naturally eat less. This is due to the fact that they are not as active and don't require the same calorie intake as they once did. However, if their eating habits change abruptly and severely, it is very possible that something is wrong. This doesn't mean that those are the only two signs of trouble. In fact, especially as your cat begins to get on in years, any change in behavior could be a sign that something is wrong.

Common Senior Cat Health Problems

What are some common health issues that develop in older cats?

Cat Diabetes – Although it may be thought of a disease that only effects humans, diabetes is very common in older cats. Like people, cats are much more likely to develop diabetes if they are older or overweight. Cat diabetes occurs when the body can no longer create the right amount of a hormone called insulin. Insulin helps to properly breakdown sugars, allowing the body to absorb them.

Cat Kidney Disease – Renal failure can occur due to this problem. The kidneys are responsible for separating and helping the body dispose of waste. Older cats are much more likely to develop this elderly cat health problem. The best way to ensure that your cat is properly treated for this disease is regular medical checkups.

What causes kidney disease in cats? A combination of many different factors, such as, genetics, age, diet, weight (overweight cats are much more susceptible), and injury (a single, severe injury that occurred earlier in the animals life could lead to kidney problems in the future).

Cat Hyperthyroidism – Hyperthyroidism occurs when the thyroid glad, which controls your pets metabolism, becomes overactive. This can cause a huge increase in your pets metabolism. Some signs of hyperthyroidism are: increased appetite combined with weight loss (something that would be odd in an older cat), rapid heartbeat, vomiting, diarrhea, or a sudden change in behavior. Cat hyperthyroidism can be diagnosed with a simple blood test and easily treated with medication.

Cat Inflammatory Bowel Disease – This disease occurs when the cells in your cat's intestines become inflamed which makes it difficult for their bodies to absorb the nutrients that they need. Some of the common signs of inflammatory bowel disease are vomiting, diarrhea and weight loss without a change in eating habits.

How To Avoid Older Cat Health Problems

As I stated previously in this article, the best way to help your cat avoid elderly cat health problems is with frequent and regular visits to their veterinarian. You should also make sure that your pet receives medications that are recommended by their vet, which will either help prevent or control health problems. As your cat becomes older, it may be a good idea to change the food you feed them. There are cat foods that are specially made with senior cats in mind. These foods have more of the vitamins and minerals that are necessary to keep your cat healthy in their golden years. Although, your cat may be a senior it is still important for them to get plenty of exercise. In older cats the best exercise would involve you playing with them. Remember the best cure for health problems comes with early detection.

Hope You Enjoyed The Cute Kittens,

The Cute Kitten Fan

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