Cats begin to change and slow down as they reach their senior years. One of the most noticeable signs is a gradual reduction in their weight. Older cats losing muscle mass is natural and can be reduced with proper nutrition.
Senior cat weight loss is very common. Senior cats have a decreased ability to absorb fat and protein. They lose about 1/3 of their lean body mass, meaning the weight your cat would be without any fat. After cats reach 11 years old, they require more nutrition just to maintain their resting body weight.
It is common for older cats to develop medical conditions that cause them to lose weight, such as kidney and thyroid disease. If your cat is losing weight, it is important to consult your vet as soon as possible. Other cats acquire a middle-aged spread and it is essential that this be kept under control.
Older Cats Might Lose Weight and Muscle Mass
If your cat is getting into their senior years, it is normal for their body to change. As long as they are continuing to consume their regular meals and staying hydrated and nourished, it's normal for them to become a little more knobby and bony – especially along the spine.
Some cats may simply need a higher calorie food and could benefit from a, high-calorie, canned therapeutic food. Older cats struggling to keep on weight may benefit from a highly digestible food rich in antioxidants, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids and prebiotics.
Well-recognized causes of weight loss in old cats include chronic renal disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), exocrine pancreatic insufficiency, and dental problems, to name a few.
As they age, cats are not able to digest their food as well resulting in increased nutrition requirements. If their nutrition does not meet their requirements, they will lose muscle mass resulting in the ability to easily feel the bones of their spine and hips when petting them.
Loss of appetite, weight loss, and poor coat condition are all common signs of illness in cats, as well as difficulty breathing or laboured breathing. If you notice any of these symptoms in your cat, make sure you take them to the vet immediately for assessment and treatment.
The average cat lifespan is between 13-17 years. Some lucky felines have been known to live 20 years or more—the world record holder for oldest cat on record, adorably named Creme Puff, lived to be a whopping 38 years old.
Feel Around Your Cat's Spine
Again, you should be able to feel the bones, but not excessively. If the vertebrae feel very knobbly or like there's nothing on top of them, you have a thin cat and they're underweight. If they're difficult to feel, your cat's fat and you have an overweight cat.
In recent years, feline ages and life-stages have been redefined, cats are considered to be elderly once they reach 11 years with senior cats defined as those aged between 11-14 years and super-senior cats 15 years and upwards.
You'll be the proud owner of a senior cat by the time it hit about 11 years old. If a cat lives beyond 15 years of age, it'd be a "super-senior". When caring for older cats, it sometimes helps to think of their age in human terms.
Muscle wastage
Laflamme (2018) found that in apparently healthy cats, approximately one third of lean body mass is lost from the age of 10 to 15 years. Peterson and Little (2018) observed that 37.6% of 255 cats over 7 years of age, that presented for a wellness examination, had evidence of muscle wastage.
Unattributed weight loss
Even when the most attentive owners provide the best veterinary care for their cats, a substantial proportion of senior cats will experience weight loss, despite being in otherwise good health and exhibiting no detectable change in food intake.
As in humans, female cats tend to live for longer than male cats. Neutered cats are also likely to live for longer than intact ones, and pure breed cats are less likely to live as long as crossbreeds.
In compiling this list, we accepted the owner's word as reported in the media for the age of their beloved animal. The oldest cat ever was named Creme Puff who passed away aged 38 years and 3 days.
Behaviour signs of a cat in pain
Lethargy. Decreased interest in positive things like playing, social interaction and exploring outside. Being withdrawn and hiding away. Appearing lame and experiencing increased sensitivity to touch in specific areas of their body.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in senior cats. Cancer is really a blanket term for uncontrolled cell growth, which means there are many different forms this can take – many different kinds of cancer that can attack your pet.
The most common cause of rear limb paralysis in cats is a blood clot that goes to the back leg, called a saddle thrombus or arterial thromboembolism (ATE). This clot blocks blood flow to the affected limb(s). A clot in the back leg suddenly causes the cat to be unable to put full weight on the affected leg.
Yes, you should be able to feel your cat's spine, along with their ribs and hip bones. That said, there's a difference between being able to feel these bones and having them be protruding. As a general rule, if these bones are too prominent, it could be a sign that your pal is underweight or malnourished.
Signs Of Obvious Distress
Cats are typically very stoic animals, so if your cat suddenly seems to be in distress, it is a cause for concern. Howling, crying, hiding, and otherwise acting in a way that is out of character for your pet should alert you that something may be seriously wrong.
Conclusion. Older cats tend to lose weight after 12 years from sarcopenia. The best diet for bony older cats is high calorie and protein wet food.
The average lifespan for a pet cat is probably around 13 to 14 years. However, although their lifespan varies, a well cared for cat may commonly live to 15 or beyond, some make it to 18 or 20 and a few extraordinary felines even pass 25 or 30 years of age.