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Effects of Aging on Your CatBack to Feline Health
Aging can effect your cat in many ways:
- Muscle tone decreases reducing ability to run and jump
- Older cats may suffer from poor appetite
- They are less likely to groom their coats as often or as well
- They may have problems with using the litter box
- They have increased risk of dental decay
You can assist them along the way by providing them with them good, nutritious
food that they like. Pay special attention to their intake of fresh water
as they can become easily dehydrated. You can check for dehydration by lifting
the skin on the back of the cat and letting go. It should bounce back fairly
quickly. If it does not, they are definitely dehydrated. This can be a dangerous
situation for them and you should take them to your vet. immediately.
A lot of health problems can occur if they have dental decay. It is
a good idea to have their teeth cleaned from around 7 to 8 years of age.
Gingivitis could be a chronic problem and needs to be treated. Painful teeth
and inflamed gums can cause them to stop eating.
Kidney failure is a frequent health problem in older cats. Early detection
and treatment along with special foods recommended by your vet can help your
cat live with this disease for quite a few years.
He can live well into his teens, even though he may not look quite as pretty as he did as a kitten, and he may totter around just a little on his feet. As your cat ages, remember to be more patient with him and provide him with quality care you would provide to any other family member