Aging Cats' Nutritional Needs Change After Age 11

America's most popular pet, the cat, lives further than half of its life in the elderly times. Although advances in veterinary care, better nutrition, and better-educated possessors have helped ameliorate the volume and quality of these times, studies reveal that elderly pussycats continue to struggle with weight as the result of reduced exertion situations and a steady decline in senses, nutrient immersion and fat digestion. 

" One of the most important pretensions when feeding elderly pussycats is maintaining an ideal weight and keeping that weight stable," said Dr. Arnold Plotnick, who developed an elderly heartiness program to address the special requirements of growing pussycats at his veterinary clinic, Manhattan Cat Specialists in New York City. 

 Possessors of elderly pussycats can help their aging kitties maintain an ideal body weight throughout the elderly life stage by feeding a diet that addresses their unique nutritive requirements. 

 Purina Pro Plan, for case, has reformulated its entire line of elderly cat foods to address the changing nutritive requirements of growing pussycats in two different phases of the elderly life stage periods 7 to 11( mature) and 11 and over( elderly). 

As pussycats age, there is a gradational decline in the body's capability to repair itself, maintain normal body functions, and acclimatize to stresses in the terrain. Disease and weight changes are common throughout the elderly life stage. 

pussycats are more likely to face weight gain during mature times when the exertion position declines and metabolism slows. But around age 11, weight loss becomes a lesser concern. 

The 11- plus times are particularly problematic for pussycats because their sense of smell and taste frequently dwindle at this time, which affects their interest in food. The capability to absorb crucial nutrients and digest fat declines, making eating itself less effective. 

The undesirable result is that further food passes through as waste and lower is used for energy, causing a drop in spare muscle mass and body fat that leads to potentially dangerous weight loss. 

In addition to furnishing the proper diet, possessors of elderly pussycats should pay close attention to their pussycats' exertion situations, weight, and eating, fixing and elimination habits, and report anything new or different to their veterinarian. 

Though numerous of these changes are a normal part of aging, others may gesture a more serious problem. Cataloging veterinary visits at least twice a time is a good practice during elderly times as numerous potentially serious conditions are treatable if caught beforehand.