Cats are living longer, which means they are more vulnerable to various diseases associated with age. Consistent checkups and consultation with your aging cat’s veterinarian can spot problems early on and slow disease progression through treatment, manage pain and discomfort, extend your years together and help ensure a better quality of life for your feline companion.

The 5 Senior Cat Health Problems

1. Arthritis

Osteoarthritis or degenerative joint disease occurs when cartilage between the bones at a joint deteriorates and becomes less flexible, causing pain and inflammation. Joints naturally degenerate as part of the aging process, but arthritis also can develop due to joint injury, dislocation or infection. Cats are king when it comes to hiding pain of any kind, but those suffering from arthritis may show overall stiffness, joint swelling, decreased activity and flexibility, and other subtle behavioral changes.

Owners are less likely to report signs of their cats’ pain until the cat quits using the litter box or doing other normal activities like jumping, according to Michael C. Petty, DVM, Diplomate American Academy of Pain Management, owner of Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital and the Animal Pain Center in Canton, Michigan.

Decreased grooming is a big sign that a cat is in pain, according to Robin Downing, DVM, of The Downing Center for Animal Pain Management in Windsor, Colorado.

The way to know for sure if a cat is suffering from arthritis? A physical exam paired with the owner’s history of the pet are the keys, says Dr. Downing. Once an arthritis diagnosis is confirmed, work with your cat’s veterinarian to minimize her pain.

2. Cancer

Cats don’t suffer cancer at the same rate as dogs, but when they do, it’s usually a more aggressive form, according to Dave Ruslander, DVM, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Radiology, veterinary oncologist at Veterinary Specialty Hospital of the Carolinas. The most common are lymphoma, oral squamous carcinoma and soft tissue sarcoma, according to Dr. Ruslander. Other less common cancers include brain, liver, lung and nasal tumors.

Because cats are so good at hiding pain and disease, knowing something is wrong can be tricky. Lumps, bumps, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty breathing, refusal to eat, weight loss and more can signal a problem. Take your cat to your veterinarian if your pet is acting ill or lethargic for any period, warns Dr. Ruslander.

Cancer treatment in cats isn’t all that different from treatment for humans. Masses are removed via surgery, lymphomas are treated with chemotherapy and hard-to-reach tumors, such as brain and nasal tumors, are treated with radiation therapy, according to Dr. Ruslander. Treatment advances develop so quickly, he adds, that if a cat is diagnosed with cancer, the owner should consult with a veterinary oncologist who is more aware of novel treatments.’

Spaying will reduce a female cat’s chances of mammary cancer, and vaccination can prevent the development of feline leukemia and the likelihood of developing lymphoma. As with everything else, early evaluation and detection is “probably the better approach in … improving outcome,” Dr. Ruslander says.

3. Hyperthyroidism

According to the Animal Health Foundation, feline hyperthyroidism is the No. 1 endocrine disorder of aging cats. Senior cats with an overactive thyroid gland and excess thyroid hormone suffer from increased metabolism, weight loss despite increased appetite, high blood pressure and, if left untreated, wasting, says Heidi Bassler, DVM, owner of Bassler Veterinary Hospital in Salisbury, Massachusetts.

Because it’s so common among senior cats, standard wellness guidelines recommend screening for it annually once a cat reaches 7 years of age. Signs of hyperthyroidism are weight loss, increased appetite, increased thirst and urination, and possibly vomiting, diarrhea, hyperactivity and a messy, matted or greasy coat.

Early detection is key to successfully managing this disease, Dr. Bassler says.

Dietary therapy, medication, radioactive iodine therapy and surgery are the four treatment options open to cats with hyperthyroidism, according to veterinary experts at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Some studies suggest that in some hyperthyroid cats, limiting the amount of iodine in the diet may be a viable treatment. This is somewhat controversial because of concerns about its effects on overall health and the possibility that it may actually worsen hyperthyroidism. Research is ongoing.

Antithyroid medication administered daily orally or via a topically applied gel reduces thyroid hormone production. Lifelong treatment is required. Radioactive iodine therapy via injection is the treatment of choice for cats with hyperthyroidism — when and where it’s available. Only those facilities specially licensed to handle radioisotopes are permitted to administer this therapy. During treatment, the emitted radiation absorbed into the bloodstream destroys the abnormal thyroid tissue without damaging surrounding tissues. According to Cornell, the majority of cats treated with radioactive iodine have normal hormone levels within one to two weeks of treatment. This therapy most often cures the disease, has no serious side effects and does not require anesthesia, but until its radiation level has fallen to within acceptable limits, a treated cat must remain hospitalized, usually between three and five days post-treatment. In cases where radioactive iodine therapy is not successful, the treatment can be repeated.

Surgery to remove the thyroid glands is straightforward and usually produces a long-term or permanent cure in most cats, eliminating the need for long-term medication. However, it means anesthesia, and added risks to older cats with additional health issues. As other treatments are just as effective but less invasive, surgery is not the most popular option. Hyperthyroid cats generally enjoy good prognoses with appropriate therapy, Dr. Bassler says. However, because thyroid hormones affect nearly all of the organs in the body, thyroid disease often causes secondary problems that can worsen prognosis.

4. Kidney Disease

Many senior cats are afflicted with kidney insufficiency or disease, which is the persistent loss of kidney function over time. However, if diagnosed early and treated properly, cats can continue to live a normal life, according to Gary Norsworthy, DVM, Diplomate American Board of Veterinary Practitioners, owner of Alamo Feline Health Center in San Antonio, Texas.

Veterinarians should actively look for cats entering the kidney insufficiency/disease stage by ordering a senior blood panel for cat patients 10 and older, Dr. Norsworthy says. The importance of screening and early diagnosis cannot be overstated, as it is associated with longer survival, according to Jessica Quimby, DVM, PhD, Diplomate American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine, a faculty member in small animal internal medicine at The Ohio State University.

Knowing your cat has chronic kidney disease encourages greater monitoring at home, more frequent veterinary visits and greater compliance, which help slow the disease’s progression, Dr. Quimby says.

There is no cure for chronic kidney disease, but treatment can improve and prolong cats’ lives. According to Cornell, therapies focus on minimizing the buildup of toxic waste products in the bloodstream, supporting appropriate nutrition, decreasing urinary protein loss, controlling blood pressure, addressing anemia and maintaining hydration.

Therapeutic diets are an important treatment cornerstone, according to Cornell. Some studies suggest that diets restricted in protein, phosphorus and sodium and are high in fiber, water-soluble vitamins and antioxidants may prolong and improve quality of life. But cats, notoriously finicky eaters, might not accept a therapeutic diet, so owners must be patient and persistent in transitioning foods, and ensure their cat keeps eating.

High blood pressure is usually controlled with medication, anemia may undergo red blood cell production stimulation therapy, and urinary protein loss may be treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to slow progression of the disease.

5. Sensory Loss

Just as with senior humans, hearing loss in senior cats is mostly degenerative; deafness occurs from nerve and ear system damage, according to Mike Paul, DVM, president of Magpie Veterinary Consulting in El Sobrante, California, and a member of the Pet Health Network. Rule out ear obstructions, such as impacted wax or a mass, before diagnosing degenerative hearing loss.

Signs of deafness may include meowing loudly, failure to respond when called, sleeping very soundly, not hearing an owner approach and not responding to everyday sounds that normally would get a hearty response, like opening a food can or treat bag.

Deafness is progressive and irreversible, and cats with hearing loss are at increased risk, especially outdoors, says Dr. Paul, adding that it’s best to keep hearing-impaired cats indoors or on a leash if outdoors.

In most cases, early diagnosis and treatment can keep a cat from losing his eyesight, but it’s important to ensure cats get regular checkups. Thomas Kern, DVM, associate professor of ophthalmology at Cornell’s College of Veterinary Medicine, says that he sees cats that are either blind or going blind several times a week. Most of the cats have an eye disease as a primary disorder, and most of them are middle-aged or senior cats whose vision loss has been progressing for years.

Cats with vision impairment or loss experience cataracts, a clouding of the lens; glaucoma, excessive fluid pressure within the eyeball that causes it to harden; progressive retinal atrophy, where retinal tissue loses its ability to function properly; and a variety of tumors.

Two of the diseases mentioned previously — hyperthyroidism and kidney disease — can cause retinal detachment, one of the most common blindness-causing disorders in cats, Dr. Kern says. Retinal detachment occurs when the retina becomes separated from its underlying tissue, resulting from a leakage or too much fluid between the layers.

As is the case with virtually all types of feline health problems, the earlier a cat’s vision impairment is diagnosed, whether the result of disease or injury, the better it may be treated. If you suspect your senior cat is suffering, don’t delay — schedule an appointment with your veterinarian and share your observations. Blood panels and other diagnostic tools can pinpoint the problem, possibly lead to an early diagnosis of age-related disease and get down to the important business of treating and managing it for the health of your feline best friend.

Arthritis help

Try these tools to treat and manage your cat’s arthritis:

1. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain
2. Acupuncture
3. Weight control
4. Sensible, carefully monitored exercise
5. Supplements with essential fatty acids to help reduce inflammation, and glucosamine and chondroitin to help replenish cartilage
6. Gentle massage
7. Grooming areas that may be hard for the cat to reach
8. Cozy blankets and a warm bed to ease stiff joints
9. Easy access to the litter box and food and water bowls
10. Prescription medications, including corticosteroids for inflammation and disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs

Thumbnail: Photography ©slyudmila | Getty Images.

Read more about senior cats :

• What to Feed a Senior Cat
• 8 Ways to Make the House Safe for Your Senior Cat
• 6 Things to Remember About a Senior Cat’s Needs

The post Kick These 5 Senior Cat Health Problems to the Curb by Ellyce Rothrock appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Helping cats lose weight — and keep it off — is challenging. Most pet parents humanize their companions, which also means they mistakenly equate food with love. Don’t replace playtime and quality bonding with food and excess treats, says Ernie Ward, DVM, founder of the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention. Both overfeeding and excess treating are huge contributing factors to the problem of overweight and obese pets, but there are other reasons why owners struggle to help their cats lose pounds.

Feline weight-loss fails

Possible Causes Why Cats Have Trouble Losing Weight

1. Not accounting for all calories fed each day

If you’re closely sticking to a weight-loss regimen but not counting the myriad treats you feed your cat each day, you’re defeating the purpose.

2. Not curbing free feeding

Free-choice feeding is OK for cats who can maintain their weight, says Francis A. Kallfelz, DVM, PhD, DACVN, James Law emeritus professor of medicine at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. For cats who can’t, or who like to snack, free feeding can rack up extra pounds.

3. Not following appropriate measurement recommendations

Follow the instructions. Know what an appropriate amount of calories looks like in your cat’s bowl. Just don’t guess or, worse, feed a little extra out of guilt or misguided affection.

4. Not considering age

Don’t feed an adult cat like a growing kitten. From age 6 months to maturity, most cats do well when fed two times a day, says Dr. Kallfelz. At about 1 year of age, feeding once or twice a day is appropriate in most cases. As long as senior cats (age 7 and older) are healthy and have no disease issues, once-a-day feeding is fine, he adds.

5. Not accounting for health issues

Cats with diabetes may need to be fed whenever given insulin, depending on the type, and hypothyroid cats may want to eat constantly, explains Dr. Kallfelz. Consult with your cat’s veterinarian, treat the disease, and then feed your cat normally, he says.

Read more about cat health and care:

• How to Treat Cat Bites and Cat Bite Infections
• The Differences Between Male and Female Cats
• Cat Wheezing: What Is It, Why Does It Happen and Should You See a Vet?

Thumbnail: Photography ©Svetlanais | Thinkstock.

The post Why Is My Cat Not Losing Weight? by Ellyce Rothrock appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.

Bringing a new adult cat into your home poses different challenges. Marilyn Krieger, certified cat behavior consultant (thecatcoach.com) and author of Naughty No More!, shares her expertise for recognizing and managing behaviors and helping your new companion to better “feel the love.”

1. Newly adopted cats often hide and shun their new people.

“They need to have their own quiet rooms where no other resident animals are allowed,” Marilyn says. “Help him emerge by creating a safe and secure space with boxes to hide in, vertical territory to climb, scratching posts, comfortable sleeping spots, food, water and a litter box.”

Never force a shy adult cat to socialize, Marilyn adds. “Leave him alone at least for the first 24 hours so he can explore his space alone,” she says. “After he’s accustomed to his new space, one person can enter the room and sit on the floor. Make positive associations and connections through food, play, a clean litter box, etc.”

2. Resident cats commonly fight with newcomers.

“Cats are territorial and understandably don’t readily accept new cats,” Marilyn says. “People often make the mistake of introducing newly adopted cats to the resident pets too quickly. Once a new cat is used to his rooms, introduce him to the resident animals slowly. Often it can take a month or longer.”

3. The new cat doesn’t want to be petted.

Never corner, pick up or pet a cat against his will, Marilyn says. “Instead, crouch at a distance and point your index finger at cat-nose level toward him,” she adds. “If he wants to say hello, he will come to your finger, touch it with his nose and turn his head and rub you with his cheek. If he starts to feel a little insecure, he’ll retreat. Other opportunities will come as he feels more secure. Delicious cat treats and food can be effective persuaders!”

4. The new cat won’t eat.

“Depending on the level of stress, many cats stop eating when first introduced into the new home,” Marilyn says. “If a cat doesn’t eat for 24 hours, he needs veterinary intervention. Encourage eating with a good quality, highly aromatic food heated up to room temperature. Find out what treats/food the cat enjoyed before surrendered. Sprinkling the food with dehydrated chicken or another meat sometimes jump-starts an appetite. Place the food bowl in a quiet, easily accessible area. Cats who hide may start eating if their food dish is put at their hiding spot entrance. Give the newbie some privacy; often they will eat when no one is around.”

5. What can new owners do to stop unwanted behaviors?

Cats always have reasons for their behaviors — they don’t happen in a vacuum, Marilyn says. “Many things cause unappreciated behaviors — medical issues, history, poor litter box management, household turmoil, how the cat is approached and handled, inter-cat issues and many others.” Any behavior change requires a visit to the veterinary clinic.

“Only after all possible medical causes have been ruled out should the problem be approached as behavioral,” Marilyn says. “Change the behavior by identifying its causes and addressing it through environment and behavior modification. Punishing cats for undesirable behaviors causes stress and often escalates behaviors, creates other problem behaviors and strains or breaks the human-animal bond. Veterinary behaviorists and certified cat behavior consultants can help figure out unwanted behaviors and offer solutions.”

Thumbnail: Photography by bbbrrn/Thinkstock.

Tell us: Have you ever adopted an adult cat? What challenges did you face? How did you acclimate him to your home and other resident cats?

Editor’s note: This article appeared in Kittens, a special issue from Catster magazine. Look for Kittens on a newsstand near you! 

Read more about brining a new cat home on Catster.com:

• Cat Adoption Checklist: Are You Really Ready for Cat Adoption?
• How to Catify Your Home to Welcome a New Cat
• Your Checklist for Bringing a New Cat Home

The post 5 Things to Know About Bringing an Adult Cat Into Your Home by Ellyce Rothrock appeared first on Catster. Copying over entire articles infringes on copyright laws. You may not be aware of it, but all of these articles were assigned, contracted and paid for, so they aren't considered public domain. However, we appreciate that you like the article and would love it if you continued sharing just the first paragraph of an article, then linking out to the rest of the piece on Catster.com.