My senior cat and me

What is a senior cat?

Like us, cats go through different life stages: kitten, young adult, mature adult, senior, and geriatric. A cat is generally considered a senior when they reach the age of 8-9 years old. Evidently, as they age their needs become very different and it is helpful to understand the physical and emotional changes that happen as your cat ages.

Common age-related changes include :

  • Changes in behaviour and sleeping patterns
  • Increased ‘talking’ or meowing
  • Pain related to movement (jumping, using stairs, in/out of high-sided litter box)
  • Changes in sight and hearing
  • Decreased sense of smell and taste
  • Weight loss and loose skin
  • Brittle nails or nails that need to be trimmed more often
  • Decrease ability to absorb nutrients and increased need for protein

The lifespan of cats is five times shorter than the lifespan of a human, so cats age more quickly than people. An 11-year-old cat is about 60 in human years, but a 16-year-old cat is already 80 in human years. We get a checkup once a year; an equal number of checkups for a healthy senior cat would be every 10-11 weeks! Because much can change in a short time, bringing your senior cat for regular checkups is very important.

My senior cat checkups

Cats are masters of hiding signs of disease and pain, and may appear healthy even if they are sick or hurting. Being a responsible caregiver includes bringing your cat in for regular checkups. Cats 10 and over should have checkups every 6 months. Cats with ongoing health issues may need check-ups more often, depending on their illnesses. Your veterinarian relies on the information you provide about your cat’s daily lifestyle to identify signs of disease, pain, or behaviour changes.

 

Annual blood and urine tests can help discover problems early on and monitor your cat’s health. Your veterinarian will compare new bloodwork results with previous testing and examine any changes. Check ups help identify disease or age-related health conditions before they are painful or cost more to manage.

 

Is my old cat in pain?

Although cats are masters of disguise and pain can be hard to notice, your veterinarian is trained to recognize subtle signs of pain. Feline arthritis, or degenerative joint disease (DJD), is very common in cats. Studies show that as many as 92% of cats have DJD. Any change in your cat’s normal behaviour or routine, such as urinating or passing stool outside of the litter box, not being able to jump onto his favourite spot anymore, stiffness when moving around, decreased grooming and so on, can be a sign of pain. You can help your senior cat by providing steps or ramps for easy access to favourite spaces, as well as night lights to help them see better in the dark, litter boxes with low entry, elevated food bowls, etc. Think about items for senior cats in a more accessible manner!

In addition to adapting your house for a senior pet with mobility issues, there are other options to help manage their pain. There are 3 common methods used to help senior cats with joint pain. Talk to your veterinarian to determine which course of action is best suited for your pet!

Three common methods to help senior cats with joint pain :

  • Veterinary diets specific for mobility and joint support
  • Supplements, such as Glucosamine chews or Omega-3 oil to add to their everyday diet
  • Monthly injections with specific medication that directly targets pain in cats suffering from arthritis.

 

What about nutrition & weight management

Senior cats are at risk of becoming underweight due to a decreasing sense of taste or smell, which can cause a lack of interest in eating. On the other hand, overweight cats are more likely to develop diabetes, arthritis (DJD), heart disease, and lower urinary tract disease, which is why choosing the right diet for your furry friend is important.

For a healthy senior cat, there is a variety of senior diets to choose from. These diets are specifically formulated for your older pet. Senior foods generally have increased antioxidants, easily digestible ingredients, adapted amount of calories to reflect the activity levels of your pet, increased amount of proteins, and additional healthy fats such as Omega-3. However, if your pet has known medical conditions, there are special diets conceived to help manage them, such as early consult renal support diets, hyperthyroidism diets, diabetic diets, etc. Ask your veterinarian for more information on the diet that is best suited for your furry friend.

If your cat is having trouble eating, you can try offering a different texture of food, strong-smelling food, warmed or chilled canned food, or fresh food that hasn’t sat out too long and offered a few times throughout the day. Place food where your cat spends the most time and in a location where your cat can eat quietly and calmly. Senior cats may prefer wide and low-sided food and water bowls that don’t touch their whiskers. Providing elevated bowls can help those that may be in pain from bending down to eat. Hydration is very important for senior cats, so consider providing multiple drinking stations, and speak to your veterinarian about food or supplements that can increase water intake.

Managing diseases & conditions

As your pet ages, it is common for them to develop illness or conditions that require veterinary attention. The most common age-related illness in cats is Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), which is a gradual loss of kidney function over time.

What is CKD and why is it troublesome?

Kidneys are the organs that help filter and remove waste products out of the blood through the urine. Moreover, they maintain a healthy balance of water, salts and minerals in your cat's body. A cat with CKD has kidneys that are not functioning correctly. Therefore, waste products accumulate in their bloodstream and their urine becomes very diluted (i.e., watery urine), causing them to suffer from symptoms of this illness. Chronic kidney disease happens gradually and, if left unmanaged, can be deadly for cats. It is difficult to visually diagnose CKD as they do not show any signs of illness until their kidneys have already lost two thirds of their functional ability. At that point, the following signs are often observed:

  • Weight loss and thin body condition
  • Increased thirst and urinating more
  • Decreased appetite
  • Lethargy

Annual blood tests are strongly recommended for older cats to help catch CKD in the early stages and slow down its progression. Many cats can have a good quality of life and live a long life with CKD if it is properly managed.

Some other common conditions in older cats are arthritis (DJD), thyroid disease (i.e.: hyperthyroidism), high blood pressure, diabetes, dental disease, gastrointestinal disease, cognitive dysfunction syndrome (affecting memory and awareness), and cancer. Typical signs to look out for include, but are not limited to:

  • Drinking more or less, and/or producing larger amounts of urine
  • Nausea, vomiting, or constipation
  • Weight or muscle loss
  • Changes in eating pattern
    • Decreased appetite
    • Finding food outside of the food bowl
    • Difficulty eating/chewing food
    • Increased appetite combined with weight loss
  • Poor fur/coat and decreased grooming
  • Changes in behaviour;
    • Hyperactivity (unusual activity)
    • Anxiety
    • Tiredness
    • Not using the litter box or urinating/passing stool outside the litter box
    • Changes to sleeping patterns and resting locations
    • Avoiding contact with others/hiding a lot
  • Abnormal swelling or skin masses (unusual lumps or growths)
  • Difficulty breathing, urinating or passing stools

We understand that it is hard to see our beloved pet's age and that it can be stressful for you and your cat to manage an illness. However, we urge you to voice your concerns, ideas, and ability to follow through with recommendations to your veterinarian so that together you can create a plan to minimize pain and stress for you and your cat. Continuing checkups remains the best way to monitor your cat’s health, pain and quality of life status.

My senior dog and me

What is a senior dog?

Like us, dogs go through different life stages: puppy, young adult, mature adult, senior, and geriatric. The speed of aging and likelihood of particular health conditions varies among dog breeds. Large breeds (over 22.7kg) tend to age more quickly than smaller breeds (under 22.7kg). A large breed is classified as senior as early as 6 to 8 years old and geriatric at 9 years of age, whereas a small breed is classified as senior around 7 to 10 years of age and geriatric around 11 years of age. Evidently, as they age their needs become very different and it is helpful to understand the physical and emotional changes that happen as your dog ages.

Common age-related changes include:

  • Changes in behaviour and sleeping patterns
  • Pain related to movement (jumping, using stairs)
  • Changes in sight and hearing
  • Decreased sense of smell and taste
  • Weight loss and loose skin
  • Decrease ability to absorb nutrients and increased need for protein

The lifespan of dogs is five times shorter than the lifespan of a human, so dogs age more quickly than people. Because much can change in a short time, bringing your senior dog for regular checkups is very important. These regular visits and discussions with your vet can help relieve and prevent suffering, identify diseases earlier and ensure your aging dog’s quality of life remains high and that they live longer.

 

What about  checkups for my sebior dog?

Dogs are good at hiding signs of disease and pain, and may appear healthy even if they are sick or hurting. Being a responsible caregiver includes bringing your dog in for regular checkups. Dogs considered geriatric should have checkups every 6 months. Dogs with ongoing health issues may need checkups more often depending on their illnesses. Your veterinarian relies on the information you provide about your dog’s daily lifestyle to identify signs of disease, pain, or behaviour changes.

Annual blood and urine tests can help discover problems early on and monitor your dog’s health. Your veterinarian will compare new bloodwork results with previous testing and examine any changes. Checkups help identify disease or age-related health conditions before they are painful or cost more to manage.

 

Nutrition for your old friend

For a healthy senior dog, there is a variety of senior diets to choose from. These diets are specifically formulated for your older pet. Senior foods generally have increased antioxidants, easily digestible ingredients, adapted amount of calories to reflect the activity levels of your pet, increased amount of proteins, and additional healthy fats such as Omega-3. However, if your pet has known medical conditions, there are special diets formulated to help manage them, such as mobility diets, renal diets, diabetic diets, etc. Ask your veterinarian for more information on the diet that is best suited for your furry friend.

Hydration is very important for senior dogs, so consider providing multiple drinking stations, and speak to your veterinarian about ways to increase your dog's water intake.

And what about the weight?

Over half of dogs are overweight and weight gain often occurs as they age, as can weight loss. Loss of weight in older dogs is much less common than obesity but is equally important. If an older dog is losing weight for no obvious reasons, it is vitally important to investigate and treat the underlying causes. In these instances, we recommend contacting your veterinarian as soon as possible.

 

How can obesity affect my senior pup?

There are a variety of influences that can affect your dog’s activity levels, but the most common one is stiffness and aching joints (i.e.: osteoarthritis). Conditions like arthritis are only made worse by being overweight!

 Canine arthritis is very common, and large breeds are generally more affected. The most common signs of osteoarthritis are behavioural changes and changes in their posture (e.g.: the position they stand, sit or lie in).

You can help your senior dog by providing steps or ramps for easy access to their favourite spaces, as well as night lights to help them see better in the dark, elevated food bowls, etc. Think about items for senior dogs in a more accessible manner!

In addition to adapting your house for a senior pet with mobility issues, there are other options to help manage their pain. There are a few common methods used to help senior dogs with joint pain.

  • Veterinary diets specific for joint/mobility support and weight loss
  • Supplemensts, such as Omega-3 oil to add to their everyday diet
  • Monthly injections with specific medication that directly targets pain in dogs suffering from arthritis
  • Daily anti-inflammatory pills which help in treating inflammation and pain by targeting specific receptors

 Key signs of arthritis to look out for :

  • Difficulty rising from a lying or sitting position
  • Increased tiredness
  • Moving less
  • Limping or changes in the way they walk or run
  • Decreased willingness to go for walks
  • Stiff movements
  • Reduced interest or ability to carry out normal movements
  • Dragging of paws and scuffing of nails
  • Wobbliness during walking
  • Reluctance to walk on slippery floors

The most effective treatments of osteoarthritis may use combined approaches. Talk to your veterinarian to determine which course of action is best suited for your pet!

 

Behavioural changes & confusion

Behavioural changes can be subtle but may be the first signs of a health problem starting. These changes can result from a wide variety of medical conditions causing pain, sensory decline, or any disease that affects the nervous system. Behavioural problems may also be due to age-related brain degeneration known as canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), often referred to as ‘doggy dementia’.

What is CCD?

Canine cognitive dysfunction occurs as the brain ages, and results in noticeable behavioural changes similar to dementia in humans. The key signs to look out for are:

  • Disorientation
  • Increased anxiety
  • Decreased learning and memory
  • Changes in social interactions
  • Changes in appetite and drinking
  • Changes in sleep/wake cycles
  • Changes in toileting habits
  • Changes in activity

Diagnosis of CCD is based on the recognition of the behavioural changes. Your vet relies heavily on the medical history of your pet and information that you, the dog parent, provides. Keeping a diary or taking videos of your dog when they are acting abnormally can be greatly beneficial in your pet’s diagnosis.

How do we treat CCD?

Sadly, CCD is a progressive condition and no cure exists. However, there are medications, treatments and at-home changes that can help improve your dog's quality of life and slow CCD’s progression. There are 3 main forms of treatment for CCD:

  • Dietary supplements, such as Omega-3
  • Veterinary diet, such as Hill’s Prescription diet b/d for ‘brain aging care’
  • Prescribed medication

Together, you and the vet will be able to define the most appropriate treatment plan for your furry friend.

Managing diseases & conditions

It is important to note that not all changes in behaviour are directly caused by CCD. Other common causes may include:

  • Sensory loss such as vision and hearing loss
  • Pain caused by problems such as spine disorders, osteoarthritis, dental disease, etc.
  • Brain diseases such as tumours
  • Kidney disease and urinary tract infection
  • Hormonal disorders such as diabetes, hypothyroidism and hyperadrenocorticism (Cushing disease)

As you may notice, there is a great overlap between signs resulting from different causes. Therefore, it is important to report any behavioural changes, however small they seem, to your vet. Early detection of behavioural problems gives the best opportunity to improve or slow the progression of disease.

 

We understand that it is hard to see our beloved pet's age and that it can be stressful for you and your dog to manage an illness. However, we urge you to voice your concerns, ideas, and ability to follow through with recommendations to your veterinarian, so that together you can create a plan to minimize pain and stress for you and your dog. Continuing checkups and annual blood/urine screening remains the best way to monitor your dog’s health, pain and quality of life status.

 

Clinique Vétérinaire Hochelaga

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians, assistant technicians and receptionists is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

Baking Treats for Your Cat

Giving treats to your cat is one of the most common ways to spoil him. However, some health conditions require exclusive therapeutic food and restrict the use of commercial treats!

 

Here are two easy recipes to make at home for your cat, using canned or dry food, regardless of his medical condition (weight loss, diabetes, hyperthyroidism, food allergies, etc.). Bon appétit, Kitty!

 

From canned cat food:

  • Open the can and shake the loaf of cat food out of the can.
  • Cut the loaf into 6 mm (1/4") thick slices, and then cut the slices into bite-sized pieces.
  • Bake the cat treats in a microwave oven on high for approximately 2½ to 3 minutes.
  • Once cooked, treats can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. After this time, throw away any leftovers.
  • Homemade treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s total daily intake, as heat alters the food’s nutritional values.
  • Do not freeze the homemade treats.

To bake in a conventional oven, place pieces on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 175ºC (350ºF) for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy.

 

From dry food:

  • In a blender, add 460 ml (2 cups) of dry cat food and grind into a powder.
  • Pour powder into a mixing bowl and gradually add about 230 ml to 290 ml (1 to 1¼ cups) of water, stirring until it forms a dough consistency.
  • Shape into individual "treats" or "cookies" and flatten the dough using the back of a spoon (the cookies will not flatten like standard "people cookies" do).
  • Place treats on an ungreased cookie sheet and bake in the oven at 175ºC (350ºF) for approximately 30 minutes or until crispy.
  • Once cooked, treats can be stored in the refrigerator for 5 to 7 days. After this time, throw away any leftovers.
  • Homemade treats should not exceed 10% of your cat’s total daily intake, as heat alters the food’s nutritional values.

Source: http://www.hillspet.ca/en-ca/cat-care/how-make-healthy-treats-home-ktn.html

 

 

 

Hôpital Vétérinaire du Boisé

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians, assistant technicians and receptionists is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

Bureau Vétérinaire Côté

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians, assistant technicians and receptionists is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

Clinique Vétérinaire Côté

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians, assistant technicians and receptionists is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.

Clinique Vétérinaire de la Gare

Your pet is a member of your family and ours; it is a best friend, and even a confidant!

That's why our dedicated team of veterinarians, technicians, assistant technicians and receptionists is always there, ready to care for your pet and give you the most appropriate advice to ensure its well-being and health.