Most people, as they age, make provision for moving about their homes safely and in comfort.  We should consider the needs of our ageing feline companions in the same way.  Older cats often have arthritis and are very adept at hiding their inability to jump up onto chairs and sofas the way they did when they were younger.

I learned – too late – that Garfield was unable to lift his legs over the side of the litter tray to go to the toilet.  I often came downstairs in the mornings to find a poo neatly placed on the newspaper next to the litter tray.  I knew Garfield had done this, because the other six cats all went outside.  His intentions were honourable, but he couldn’t manage to get into the litter tray.  Had I known he had this problem, I could have bought a lower sided tray for him to use.  We learn by our mistakes.

I used to place the litter tray on a couple of sheets of old newspaper on the kitchen floor each evening solely for his use.  When the cats were younger, before they were neutered, I used to have the litter tray under the dining table where it was quiet, and they could pee and poo in peace. 

I’ve written in other articles (see: Litter Tray Blues) that the positioning of a litter tray is of paramount importance – not to you, but for your cat(s).  And if you have more than one cat, you should always have one tray per cat plus one spare.  Although, again, learning from experience, when I had Billy, Timmy and Joey as rescue kittens, I only had one tray on the go at any one time.

Some people that have basements think it’s ok to put the litter tray(s) down there and the cat will run down the stairs, do their business and run back up again.  But if your elderly cat must keep going down the stairs – with his arthritic legs – he may find an excuse not to bother and this is when he may toilet in inappropriate places.  

This is when common sense should kick in.  If you were having trouble walking, would you want to walk down several flights of stairs to use the bathroom? I don’t think so; you’d find a solution to your problem, wouldn’t you?  This is the time that you bring the litter tray back upstairs, find a quiet spot where other pets or young children can’t disturb your cat, and show your cat where the tray is now.  And don’t keep moving it or you’ll confuse your cat.

Cleaning the tray out every time the cat uses it makes for a better experience for your cat.  Each time a poo is done, hoick it out immediately and flush it down your own toilet.  You can take soiled lumps (where he’s done a wee) and put them in a bag and put them in your own rubbish bins.  And then, once a week, thoroughly wash the litter tray, keeping back a little bit of the used litter, as his scent will be on it and he’ll recognise it when he goes to use it again, and you shouldn’t have any trouble.

If you’ve had a deeper sided litter tray, then replace it with a shallower one.  You may have to improvise and use a baking tray that you’re not intending to use again.  Use good quality litter that your cat is used to and make sure that he knows where the tray is. 

Never scold him for any accidents he might have.  He can’t help it.  It’s not his fault.  Just pick him up, and give him lots of cuddles.  It’s important that he feels he’s still loved and cherished, even though he’s a bit doddery on his legs and has the odd accident.    

With a bit of thoughtful planning, there is no reason why you and your cat shouldn’t enjoy his autumnal years in peace and tranquillity.

I’ve used the term ‘pre-loved’ because it’s becoming increasingly popular here in the UK to describe (usually) an item that has been used somewhere else.  Many charity shops (known as thrift shops in the US) come under the term ‘pre-loved’ because whatever the item is for sale – be it a piece of clothing, books, CDs or DVDs, furniture or even vinyl,  – was once loved and is now up to be loved again.

Last month Jennifer Pulling wrote about ‘The joy of older cats’.  One of the Daily Mews subscribers, Mike Kolonel, in Canada told me that at the EVCA shelter where he volunteers, they’ve always had a problem finding homes for senior cats.  However, since they’ve started promoting on their Facebook page, there has been some improvement with more adoptions.  Of his own two cats, Bandit and Dreidel, Bandit is a Senior Kitizen at 15 years of age while Dreidel is still a young whippersnapper who’ll be 4 in July.

He also adds that most people want a young cat, preferably a kitten, because they can envision many years ahead, sharing happy times with the cat as he grows up.

As Jennifer said in her piece, a kitten may be the most adorable thing in creation, and may be suitable for a young family, an older, more ‘mature’ cat would suit someone who lives on their own perhaps.  Or an older couple who couldn’t cope with the bouncy nature of a kitten, climbing the wall paper and abseiling down the curtains.  (Charlie)

Many care facilities in the UK allow older cats; these may be from 5 – 10 years upwards as their quiet, calm presence is what the residents can cope with.  An older cat is more dignified in his demeanour and sitting on an elderly resident’s lap for a while is soothing and beneficial.  

So, if you’re looking for a cat to join you, take into consideration that many older cats are surrendered for a variety of reasons – none of which is their fault.  It could be that their carer has passed away or had to move into a care facility and either they don’t have any family nearby who could adopt the cat, or there are no family members.  It could be that a younger cat has been brought into the household and the older cat doesn’t get on with it.  Rather than rehome the newest member, the older cat – that has only known this lifestyle – is often unceremoniously and quite callously, either dumped and left to fend for himself, or taken to a rescue centre with a convoluted story to excuse why the family are relinquishing him.

Whatever reason the poor cat – some as old as 17 or 18 years of age – suddenly find themselves on the scrap heap of life, unwanted and unloved.  Older cats are set in their ways.  Much like old people are.  They like their food at certain times of the day, may prefer a particular type of litter (I am talking about older cats now – not older people!) and they may like to nap most of the day – this bit can apply to older people!  If you’re very blessed, they may seek you out for a cuddle, but it will always be on their terms.

So, before you pass that older cat by, sitting forlornly at the back of the pen in the rescue or rehoming centre, do give them consideration.  They may be forlorn because all they’ve known has suddenly been taken away from them.  They are probably totally and utterly bewildered at why they’re not at home, in their familiar surroundings with the person or people they love.  They don’t know why they’re in this new place with unfamiliar smells and sounds.  They don’t know what they’ve done to be in this situation.

The sad fact is that for many of these beautiful, serene, older cats, they may never find a new home for their final years.  They may never know love and warmth again and because of space limitations, these beautiful creatures may be given the death sentence – why? Because they’re old and unwanted. 

If you’re looking for a feline friend, and you’re not in the first bloom of life yourself, maybe you’re retired and just want a quiet, dignified companion, look no further than a senior kitizen.  They deserve a second chance; they deserve to spend their final years knowing love again and you never know – when love blossoms a second time around, it often rejuvenates a tired, worn out soul, and you may be blessed with several more years of feline purring, raspy licks, and gentle head butts.  Isn’t that worth going the extra mile to save a senior’s life??

Write and tell us here at The Daily Mews Office about the senior kitizens in your life and home.  

Focus on Arthritis by Dr Sarah Elliott, BVetMed MRCVS

It is common knowledge that as humans age, we can suffer from the effects of osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease.  Aches and pains in our joints are one such sign of this painful condition, as is a reduction in our mobility and flexibility.  That many dogs also suffer from the effects of arthritis is a long-held fact.  Yet it is only in the last 10 – 15 years that vets have come to recognise many cats also suffer from arthritis in their later years.  In fact, a 2002 study showed that as many as 90% of cats over the age of 12 years of age had evidence of ongoing arthritis on x-rays.

So why have we overlooked this condition in cats for so long?  The answer is that that the condition is hard for owners to spot, and this makes it difficult for the condition to be brought to the vet’s attention.

Osteoarthritis is a painful condition caused by repeated wear and tear on joints.  It may also be secondary to previous injury such as a dislocation, bone fracture or torn ligament.  People with arthritis reportedly experience a dull ache or burning sensation in the affected joint, which may swell up leading to further pain and restriction of movement.  It is safe to presume that cats with arthritis also experience the same level of discomfort.  However, cats are adept at hiding pain and the signs of arthritis therefore can be very subtle.  So much so, that it may be difficult for even the most observant owner to detect the pain associated with arthritis.  Consequently, very few cats are presented to their vet because the owner is concerned that their cat is experiencing joint pain.

Another reason that arthritis in cats may not be diagnosed is that cats receive fewer vet visits than their canine counterparts.  Cats may outnumber dogs as pets, yet statistically vets see fewer cats in their practices than dogs.  Taking a cat to the vets is often a daunting task for a cat owner, with all the hassle and anxiety that goes with it.  Unfortunately, failure to have your cat examined by your vet may mean that health issues like arthritis go unnoticed.

Managing the condition

Treatments are readily available to manage arthritic pain and to improve the quality of life cats suffering from this condition.  Vets now have many different treatment options to choose from to suit a range of budgets and not all of them are medical.  So, getting your cat the treatment they need to live free from the pain of arthritis has never been easier.

First of all, owners should be able to recognise the subtle signs of arthritis in cats.  The top four signs include:

Reduced mobility

• Does your cat hesitate before jumping up or down?
• Do they prefer not to access higher vantage points that they have previously used?
• Have you noticed any difficulties for them in using the litter tray or cat flap?

Reduced activity

• Does your cat spend more time resting or sleeping than they did previously?
• Do they leave the house less frequently?
• Are they less interested in playing or interacting with you?

Altered grooming

• Have you noticed any changes in their coat that may indicate a reduction in grooming?  Cats with arthritis are often less flexible and this can mean they can’t quite reach every area when grooming, particularly the lower spine and base of the tail.

Temperament changes

• Is your cat becoming grumpier when being handled or stroked?
• Do they prefer to spend more time alone?

If you are concerned that your cat may be showing one or more of these signs, contact your vet for a discussion.  While arthritis cannot be cured, in many cases it can be managed successfully.   Owners and vets together can ensure that cats with arthritis are no longer overlooked.

• For more information on arthritis, please check out our Veterinary Guides which are free to download at www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat-care-leaflets-2013/VG01_Arthritis.pdf
• Also seehttps://icatcare.org/advice/cat-health/arthritis-and-degenerative-joint-disease-cats

My thanks to Francesca Watson, editor of The Cat magazine (which is the quarterly magazine supporting Cats Protection) who gave me permission to copy this article from their Spring 2018 issue.   

It’s a decision we all dread, but it should be based on quality of life 

One of the hardest things a pet parent has to decide is when to say goodbye to their pet.  It’s one of the most difficult parts of a vet’s job to euthanise a beloved family pet.  But based on the following factors, your vet will help you to make that decision.

• Quality of life

We all want our cats to live a good life, and unfortunately, some owners keep their pets alive when they have little or no quality of life.  Quality of life in a pet can be defined as eating, drinking, defecating, and urinating normally on a daily basis, while seeking out and enjoying the company of their owners.  If any of these aspects are deficient, then there must be a discussion between vet and owner to seriously consider what the future holds for the cat.

• Home care

Unlike elderly human patients who can receive round-the-clock hospital care, this is not the case with our pets.  Of course, they can be hospitalised at 24-hour veterinary centres, but what cat truly enjoys a stay at the vet’s?  Although this is a necessity for many patients during diagnosis and treatment for many conditions, it is not a long-term solution.

• Putting your cat first

Many vet’s have lived through the loss of a beloved feline with many of their owners over their careers, and in each situation, every owner wished they had put their cat first.  Hindsight is a wonderful thing, and it is really hard to make the right choice at the right time.  To leave a cat with no chance of improvement while you struggle with the decision to let them go will invariably lead to guilt later.  Try your best to put your grief to one side and make decisions based on the best and right thing for your cat, coming to terms with your loss once your friend is at peace.