By the way, previously the age limit for our pets was much lower - 12-year-old cats were considered long-livers. It was man who raised the quality of life, and with it its duration, by one and a half to two times.
And now it is easy to meet cats that have reached 16-19 years of age, or even more. For example, in our clinic we see two cats, each 21 years old, and the most significant thing that worries them is their teeth, or rather, tartar, which is removed from them from time to time.
Well, the age of cats from the Guinness Book of Records generally exceeds the 30-year mark.
So, among pets, the number of “elderly” pets (approximately 30%) who need optimal care is increasing.
It’s a fact that as the number of years you live increases, everything changes (and not only for cats :-)). Age-related changes affect all body functions. For now, we will consider only behavioral ones.
The causes of behavioral changes can be a number of diseases (including systemic ones) acquired by the animal over the years of its life, brain pathologies, as well as CDS - cognitive dysfunction syndrome. First, let's look at medical ailments, and then move on to the most interesting part.
Osteoarthritis (joint disease) can occur in 65% of cats over 12 years of age (the elbow and hip joints are most commonly affected, and the knee and shoulder are less common). Joint pain leads to decreased mobility and the appearance of aggressiveness when communicating with people and other animals.
Systemic hypertension (high blood pressure) often causes a pet to scream at night, disorientate in space, lose consciousness, meaningless circular movements and even seizures.
Chronic kidney disease most strongly influences behavior changes: polyuria (increased urine volume) leads to urination in the wrong places, and with a lack of water, dehydration of brain tissue. Polydipsia (increased thirst) causes cats to drink from containers that are not intended for this purpose. The development of acidosis (increased body acidity) causes weight loss and drowsiness. And severe uremia (self-poisoning of the body with nitrogenous waste from urine) leads to uremic encephalopathy, a non-inflammatory disease of the brain. In addition, kidney disease is often accompanied by hypertension (see above).
Hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid hormones) leads to the same consequences as chronic renal failure. In addition, it affects the concentration of thyroxine in the brain (manifests as anxiety and aggressiveness), causes polyphagia - the cat’s taste and appetite change.
Diabetes mellitus has the same consequences as chronic renal failure and hyperthyroidism. In addition, it can cause sensory or motor neuropathies (irritability, increased sensitivity to external influences (touch), muscle pain).
Urinary tract infections cause pain and discomfort in your pet's bladder or kidneys. The result is “incorrect” urination, anxiety, aggression, and depression.
Changes in appetite, weight loss, gastrointestinal diseases , which appear due to physiological changes and pathological processes, are associated with a deterioration in the sense of smell and taste, pain in the oral cavity, for example, due to periodontal disease.
Loss of Hearing and Vision Cats quickly adapt to blindness. With deafness the situation is worse. Cats with poor hearing begin to make loud noises (possibly at night) because they have difficulty hearing their voices.
Brain tumors are more common in older cats (11 years of age and up). Meningioma, lymphoma, glioma, pituitary tumors are expressed by restlessness, circular movements and convulsions.
Pain , especially constant pain, greatly debilitates the animal. Chronic pain most often occurs with artiritis, as well as with inflammatory processes in other organs, for example, with periodontal disease and diseases of the digestive tract (obstruction). Cats, due to their evolutionary development, are able to cope even with severe pain.
Infectious diseases (viral immunodeficiency, viral leukemia, infectious peritonitis, toxoplasmosis) cause neurological disorders and, consequently, behavioral changes.
So, there are many medical reasons for behavioral problems in older cats. And identifying them often requires a number of diagnostic studies. But if diseases are excluded, that is, when there is no obvious cause, then it is believed that the animal’s behavior changes under the influence of cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS)
Alzheimer's? In cats?!
Yeah, something like that. Everything is like the big ones.
In cats with cognitive dysfunction syndrome, changes occur in the brain that lead to decreased mental abilities. This affects the processes of thinking, memory, learning new things, and using acquired skills.
Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is a progressive disease with increasing signs of aging behavior
A third of 11-14 year old cats have at least one of the behavioral disorders caused by CDS, and in 15 year old cats the number of such problems is no less than 50%.
The most striking symptom of cognitive dysfunction is disorientation. The cat seems to get lost in the apartment, hides in a corner or under furniture, bumps into door frames in an attempt to find the door, does not recognize the owners or other animals, and does not respond to calls.
The sleep-wake pattern is often disrupted (as a rule, the cat sleeps more during the day and much less at night).
The proportion of purposeful actions decreases and the frequency of aimless wandering increases. There may be movements in a circle or involuntary oscillatory movements - tremor, or, conversely, immobility, weakness.
An older cat may go potty less often and go to inappropriate places more often.
The quality of communication with the owners deteriorates, the animal asks for less and less affection and attention.
Where does SKD come from?
Possible reasons:
- disturbance of cerebral blood supply - a change in the circulatory system of the brain due to hypoxia caused by heart disease, hypertension, anemia, impaired blood clotting, the formation of small hemorrhages near blood vessels, arteriosclerosis
- tissue damage from free radicals As cells age, they process nutrients less and less well, the amount of energy decreases, and the number of free radicals in the cells increases, which the body’s antioxidant defense does not have time to neutralize. An excess of these radicals leads to tissue damage, with brain tissue being especially sensitive.
Reasons why cats scream loudly
Let's look at the most popular reasons why a cat constantly yells:
Hunger
. A kitten may scream when it demands food from its owner. At the same time, you need to feed a baby up to 2 months old 6 times a day, reducing the number of feedings to 3 times by 6 months, and at 10-12 months the kitten can be switched to two meals a day. Of course, not only kittens make noise from the desire to snack, but also adult pets, who can scream especially heart-rendingly in the morning, as soon as the owner has just gotten out of bed;
Cold
. Kittens and even some adult cats may scream when they are cold. Signs of hypothermia (hypothermia) also include trembling, lethargy, standing fur, pale mucous membranes, decreased body temperature (less than 38 degrees in kittens, less than 37 in adult animals and below 36-36.5 in older cats), decreased pulse ( less than 130 beats in kittens, less than 100 in adult cats and below 60-70 in older pets), slowing breathing, searching for warm places in the house;
Asking the owner for something special
. It also happens that an adult cat is definitely not hungry, but walks around, yells in the kitchen, and rubs against the owner’s legs. Perhaps the animal is asking for something tasty (a piece of sausage, a cutlet, etc.). Many cats literally go crazy when they smell fresh fish or meat;
Adaptation to new living conditions in kittens after separation from their mother cat
. A change in familiar surroundings can unsettle even an adult animal, let alone a kitten. A new place of residence, foreign smells, other people, and finally, the absence of a mother nearby - all this makes the confused kitten scream loudly;
Fear
. Many of the domestic mustaches are also cowards. Thus, there are often situations when a cat constantly yells if it sees or hears something incomprehensible (for example, it hears the noise of a working washing machine or vacuum cleaner, the rumble of thunder, the explosion of firecrackers; it sees a stranger in the house or any incomprehensible objects like a mop with a rag or an alarm clock which periodically makes a loud sound);
Trying to get attention
. Cats love it when their owner pays attention to them: plays, treats them to something tasty, talks affectionately and strokes them. But unfortunately, a busy owner does not always have enough time to communicate with a pet. So the loud cries of an animal can express a desire to attract attention. And it’s especially unpleasant when a cat screams at night, thereby trying to get the owner out of bed;
Conversation with the owner
. Some people are naturally silent, while others talk non-stop all the time. So are cats. It happens that a “talkative” cat yells for no reason, communicating this way with its owner. And no treats, no affection, no scolding will help here. By the way, the most sociable breeds that love to shout include Siamese, Oriental, Burmese cats, Kurilian Bobtails and Turkish Vans;
Struggle for leadership
. If there are two or more cats in the house, then their owner should be prepared for the fact that these mustachioed comrades will be at enmity with each other. So, one of the cats, whose character is strong and dominant, can offend other weaker males (yell loudly at them, bite them, scratch them, chase them around the house, mark their beds);
Boredom
. Some people think that to be happy, a cat only needs to eat enough and sleep enough. What about interesting leisure time? It is clear that the owner will not play with his pet day and night. A bored cat constantly yells until he finds entertainment for himself, which may not be so harmless (gnawing on wires, riding on curtains, climbing up the carpet, tearing up newspapers, etc.);
Manipulation
. A poorly behaved cat meows and screams when it tries to force its owner to do something (for example, allow it to sleep on a pillow, jump on the dining table, pee on the carpet, etc.). As a rule, those animals whose owners are not strict enough and are ready to fulfill any cat’s wishes after a loud yell behave this way;
Swearing at the owner
. The cat constantly yells in the house where it is noisy. Where there are frequent scandals with shouting and breaking of dishes, children scream too loudly or the TV is on at full volume. Animals do not like loud sounds, so with the help of yelling they simply want to ask their owners to be quieter;
Stress
. A cat yells for no reason during an emotionally unstable state, caused, for example, by frequent visits to the veterinarian’s office, renovations, a change of owner, or the appearance of a new pet in the house (another cat, dog, rodent, which began to receive a lot of attention from the owner). When stressed, pets may eat a lot or refuse food at all, constantly lick their coat, behave poorly (marks on the walls, piles under the bed, scratching, etc.), be overly annoying or aggressive;
Deafness
. Very often, deaf animals scream because they cannot control the strength of their voice. Moreover, loud screams are typical both for those animals that were already born deaf and for those who have lost their hearing during life;
Sexual hunting
. Almost all cats scream constantly during heat, trying to call the cat for a “date.” And neither treats nor games can distract the pet from the call of the flesh. During this difficult period, pets eat little, become too annoying (running on the owner’s heels, rubbing against their legs), constantly licking the vagina, often running up to the door and asking to go for a walk. By the way, the males are also too noisy when they sense that a cat has gone into heat nearby. The cat screams at night and during the day, scratching the door, trying with all his might to escape to the female for love pleasures;
Painful sensations in a cat during mating
. It’s not just cats who start screaming under windows in the spring when cats in heat are called out. Cats also scream furiously during sexual intercourse. The thing is that the cat's penis is covered with rough scales and spines, which irritate the delicate walls of the cat's vagina. Simply put, the cat does not get pleasure from mating because of the pain that the cat causes her, which is why she yells at the whole neighborhood;
Unstable hormonal levels after surgery to remove reproductive organs
. Many owners believe that the whining will stop immediately after spaying or neutering a male cat. Sometimes a castrated cat will yell and continue to behave restlessly for 1-3 months after surgery until the hormones return to normal (the same behavior can occur in a female after her uterus and ovaries have been removed). This is completely normal, the pet will definitely begin to behave calmer soon after castration (sterilization), if the loud cries were initially caused by sexual heat;
Disease
. The saddest reason why an animal can often meow and scream loudly lies in some kind of illness. Many symptoms can indicate that a cat is not feeling well, for example, increased or decreased body temperature, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, extreme thirst, refusal to eat or drink, unusual color of urine or feces, changes in gait, convulsions, apathy or causeless agitation, bleeding (internal or external), swelling, deterioration of smell and vision, as well as other signs that clearly indicate that the pet has fallen ill. What diseases can cause cats to cry? It’s difficult to answer, since sometimes pets behave restlessly and meow when they have cancer pain, older animals often complain of pain in the joints, kittens scream if their tummy hurts, and a cat screams after sterilization if its suture is torn or inflamed. At the slightest suspicion that the animal is sick, you need to urgently visit a veterinary clinic or call a doctor at home.
ACS diagnostics
To accurately determine the cause of a change in behavior in a cat, a complete examination is necessary. Unfortunately, both diagnosis and treatment of behavioral problems are often complicated by the presence of various diseases in the animal. And sometimes a combination of pathologies makes behavioral disorders especially severe.
On the other hand, sometimes behavioral symptoms that are actually caused by a serious illness are attributed to cognitive dysfunction syndrome.
The owner’s task is to identify “abnormalities” in the pet’s behavior and promptly report them to the doctor. In addition to changing behavior, it is important to monitor the amount of food and water consumed, weight loss, frequency of bowel movements and urination, etc.
And, of course, older animals need to regularly (1-2 times a year, more often with significant deviations) visit the veterinary clinic for a comprehensive examination (measurement of body weight, blood pressure, determination of the condition of the retina, concentration of thyroid hormones, physical activity, orthopedic and neurological examination, ultrasound diagnostics, tests and blood tests (general and biochemical), urine, etc.).
Dear owners! Timely detection of the disease and its correct treatment mean extended years of life for your pet.
What to do?
If your pet is meowing unhealthy or anxious, you should consult a specialist for examination.
If a neutered or unneutered cat shows anxiety, yells, and behaves uncharacteristically, it is best to take the animal to a veterinarian, who will tell you what to do in this situation. At the initial examination, the doctor will ask how old the pet is, what diseases he has suffered from, and what other symptoms are of concern. To find out the reason for this behavior, a comprehensive diagnostic study is prescribed, the results of which will become the basis for determining an effective treatment regimen.
If any internal disease is detected, the doctor will prescribe medication or surgical treatment. When screaming and anxiety are associated with hormonal disorders, the doctor will advise castrating the animal. If there are psychological problems, in addition to therapy, the owner will need to pay more attention to his four-legged friend. The animal will feel more confident and calm if the owner plays, talks, and caresses it more. After active games, it is recommended to feed the cat nourishingly, thanks to which it will be possible to imitate the natural process - hunting - eating prey. A fed and satisfied animal immediately relaxes.
If your cat wants to sleep in the morning, you can let him take a nap. In the evening it is better for the cat to be awake, then she will be guaranteed a good night's sleep. If a new family member has moved into the house, it is useful to introduce him to his personal vacation spot from the first day. While the kitten is settling in, it can vocalize all day and even at night. You should not hit the baby, lock him in another room, or scream. After 1-2 weeks, the pet will get used to the new environment and love it as before.
Old cat: care, feeding and treatment
Just like in people, the age of a cat leads to the appearance of many diseases. However, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition and timely medical examinations can help prevent, slow or control the effects of age on a cat's (or human) health. With your help, you can provide your cat with a good quality of life for many years.
Let's take a look at what you'll likely have to deal with as your cat gets older. Let us remind you that a cat is considered elderly from the age of 7 years. The average lifespan of cats is 12-18 years, but a lifespan of up to 25 years can be observed. One such cat lived with my grandfather: he was a kitten when my grandfather entered the naval school. And he met him with a seasoned cat when he returned to his mother’s house from service after 25 years. Street cats rarely live beyond 3-4 years.
Main health problems in older cats
The Old Cat and Osteoarthritis It is believed that 90% of cats over 12 years of age have radiological signs of age-related degenerative joint changes (osteoarthritis). The term “Osteoarthritis,” in contrast to the term “Arthritis,” characterizes a form of chronic degenerative inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissues. Recent x-ray studies have shown that cats are more susceptible to osteoarthritis compared to other pets.
How not to behave
Of course, when it seems that you have taken all the measures - fed, watered, caressed, survived the sterilization period, and the cat still screams at night, then even the calmest owner will lose his nerve. But under no circumstances should you use violent measures against an animal or shout at it. After all, a cat is a very smart creature; it has a sense of revenge. And how she will take revenge is unknown.
In addition, cats are also proud animals, they will not tolerate any violence against themselves, it is impossible to achieve anything with the help of force, you just need to try to show patience and attention. Only in this case is it possible to obtain a positive result.
Types of vitamins for older cats
There are a variety of nutritional and vitamin supplements on the market designed specifically for cats aged 8 years and older.
It is worth paying attention to domestic products. Professional staff, the use of modern scientific technologies and a flexible pricing policy provide a combination of quality and affordable cost. Farmavit Neo vitamins for cats aged eight years and older are designed taking into account the needs of animals and provide the necessary elements. Purchasing the supplement will not be difficult, since the average cost is just under 150 rubles for 60 tablets. It should be given daily at the rate of 1 tablet per 3 kg of pet’s weight. After two months of taking it, you need to take a break of 30 days, and then the course can be repeated.
The Russian one offers the Radostin complex for mustachioed pets of the age in question.
Why does the cat sit near the front door and meow?
If the cat meows
under the door, this may indicate that she wants to escape. Most often, pets persistently wait for the opportunity to slip out into the street. This behavior can result in the animal becoming lost, injured, infected with parasites, or exposed to other risks.
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