Caring for Senior Cats: A Detailed Guide from a Veterinarian on Diet and Essential Care

In recent years, with advances in veterinary medicine, the average lifespan of cats has extended. The current average lifespan of a cat is said to be about 15 years, and it is not uncommon for cats to live beyond 20 years.

A 15-year-old cat is equivalent to a human in their late 70s, and a 20-year-old cat is roughly equivalent to a 100-year-old human. Just as we humans experience difficulty moving and require care as we age, many elderly cats also need some form of care. This article will explain elder cat care.

When do cats need care?

Cats are considered seniors from age 7 and "high seniors" from age 16. After reaching senior age, they become more susceptible to various diseases such as kidney disease, arthritis, periodontal disease, and cancer. These illnesses can lead to reduced mobility, decreased appetite, inability to groom themselves, and an increase in accidents, requiring the owner's help in daily life. This is what we refer to as care.

While there's no specific age that universally dictates when care is needed, it's wise to start preparing for care once your cat enters its senior years.

What does cat care involve?

Caring for an elderly cat means assisting them with things they can no longer do on their own. Just like with humans, be prepared for cat care to be a long-term commitment.

Restricting Living Space

When a cat becomes immobile, it may no longer be able to walk to a distant litter box or food dish. Place food and water near where your cat usually stays. It's also a good idea to place the litter box nearby. Additionally, cats with dementia may wander. By enclosing their living space with a playpen or similar, you can reduce the risk of injury from wandering.

It becomes difficult for them to climb high places like cat trees, and there's a risk of falling. Instead of cat trees, opt for gradual steps or ramps that they can easily navigate.

Assistance with Excretion

As cats age, they have a very high chance of developing chronic kidney disease, which leads to producing large amounts of dilute urine. If the litter box is far away, they may frequently have accidents because they can't make it in time. Place the litter box close to their living area. If you'll be away from home during the day, using diapers can be a good option. However, if using diapers, change them frequently and clean the cat with lukewarm water at least once a day.

There are also cases where cats cannot excrete on their own. In such cases, the owner needs to assist with excretion. Ask your veterinarian for instructions on how to help with excretion.

Feeding Assistance

Elderly cats are highly susceptible to arthritis, and lowering their neck can cause pain. Place their food and water bowls on an elevated stand.

The contents of their diet also need to change. Products marketed for senior cats are typically high in protein, easy to digest, and designed to provide sufficient calories even in small quantities. If your cat is ill, you may need to switch to a specialized prescription diet.

It can become difficult for them to eat due to periodontal disease or internal organ issues. Soften their food or mash it into a paste to make it easier to consume. Warming the food slightly can stimulate their appetite. If they can't eat on their own, gently place small amounts into their mouth. In some cases, after consulting with a veterinarian, a catheter may be inserted into the nose, esophagus, stomach, or intestines to administer liquid food.

Brushing

As cats age, if they can no longer groom themselves, they are more prone to matting and skin issues due to poor circulation. Therefore, they should be brushed at least once a day.

Regularly changing body position

After reaching their senior years, cats' muscles often weaken, making it difficult for them to move on their own. When they can't move, turning over becomes challenging. Lying in the same position for extended periods can lead to pressure sores, also known as bedsores, in areas where bones protrude. Pressure sores occur when muscle atrophy reduces the cushioning between bone and skin, causing poor blood circulation in that area and leading to tissue necrosis. Once a pressure sore develops, especially in elderly cats with poor nutritional status, it can rapidly worsen, leading to infection and potentially sepsis, where bacteria spread throughout the body. Therefore, change your cat's body position every two hours to prevent weight from being concentrated on one area. Other methods include using nursing mats that distribute weight or placing cushions on bony prominences. Gently massaging the skin can also promote blood circulation.

Flexing and extending joints

One reason a cat may become immobile is that its joints stiffen and it can no longer flex or extend them. To loosen stiff joints, the owner needs to gently flex and extend the joints. Do not force it, as this can cause dislocations or fractures. Perform these movements slowly and gently. If the cat shows signs of pain, stop immediately and consult a veterinarian.

What is the estimated cost of cat care?

The cost of cat care includes new items such as beds and diapers. A care bed can cost around 10,000 yen. Diapers might cost about 5,000 yen per month. If the food is a therapeutic diet, it could be close to 10,000 yen per month. It will cost more than when the cat is healthy.

If caring for an elderly cat at home becomes difficult, you can consider using an elderly cat care facility. However, these are very expensive, costing around 400,000 to 500,000 yen per year. If you are often away from home during the day or cannot provide the necessary care, it may be better to utilize a professional elderly cat care facility.

What behaviors do cats exhibit when they are close to death?

It is known that cats exhibit various behaviors before they pass away. We will explain the behavioral changes observed before death.

Seeking a hiding place

You may have heard the saying, "cats disappear before they die." This is a remnant of their wild days; if they show signs of weakness, they might be attacked by other animals, so they try to hide in a place out of sight. It's common to see them wandering around, looking for a hiding spot.

Being extra affectionate

When cats sense their end is near, they tend to become more affectionate towards the people they love. A cat that previously wasn't cuddly might start wanting to sit on your lap, or purr constantly and seek affection more than usual. This is thought to be their way of alleviating the vague anxiety they feel about their approaching death.

Suddenly becoming energetic

Even if they couldn't eat or move just a short while ago, some cats may suddenly eat a lot or become energetic the day before they pass away. This is thought to be their way of acting lively because they don't want others to notice their weakness, or they don't want to make their owners anxious.

Longer sleeping hours

Many cats in their senior years spend most of the day sleeping. As their end approaches, they will be almost constantly asleep, their body temperature will drop, and their heart rate will decrease. Their breathing pattern will also change, exhibiting deep, heavy breaths or open-mouthed breathing. They may also flail their limbs or thrash about.

Summary

The cost of owning a cat for its average lifespan of about 15 years is said to be around 2.4 million yen. Especially during old age, when care is needed, care expenses are added to the usual costs. Additionally, it requires not only financial resources but also time and effort. When considering getting a cat, think about whether you can provide care for it. If you are unable to provide care, you might consider professional assistance, such as an elderly cat care facility, which, although costly, can be a valuable option.

And if your cat's end is approaching, instead of being sad or panicked, make sure to express your gratitude and love.