Clipping of news on Brazilian Culture, Law and Citizenship
23/07/2013
This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.
Proper nutrition, castration veterinary monitoring and advances in science in recent years extended the life expectancy of cats. In Europe and the United States, the average lifespan of a cat is 15-16 years. According to the magazine Leaping Cat, the life expectancy of a stray (unowned) is about three years. A cat with owner and indoors can reach 16 years, but data are cats that can pass the age of 20.
"Aging is not a disease. It is an irreversible physiological process that is part of the life of every living being. Age for a cat with health, one of the main factors is the proper nutrition. Each case is particular, and only the Veterinary Medical can indicate the best food for the needs of each cat, "explains Dr. Sandra Nogueira, Physician Royal Canin Veterinary Brazil. The signs of aging can appear from the age of 7. Some can be easily identified by the owner, while others are only apparent to the Veterinary Medical help with exams. "So it is important to do annual check-ups after 7 years of age," the vet recommends.
"From 7 years older cat usually no visible signs," says Dr. Sandra. This means that it will still alert and active while your body begins the process of aging. Furthermore, in the case of castrated cats, there is always the risk of weight gain due to reduction of their energy requirements and increased voluntary intake of food. "A diet with the right amount of energy and enriched with antioxidants help the cat maintain its vitality for longer," says the vet. Furthermore, it is also important that the food will contribute in urine dilution, to prevent the formation of urinary calculi, which become common after castration.
From age 12, the signs of aging can be visible, with the emergence of the gray, for example. At this stage, it is important to keep the cat in shape, as it will become more sedentary, and stimulate your appetite in order to avoid the loss of muscle mass.
Here are the four main signs that identify aging cats.
Sedentary
The wear and tear of the joints, a natural consequence of aging, hinders mobility and cats usually avoid climbing stairs and furniture. At the same time, the period of rest and sleep can increase significantly with changes in the hours of sleep and wakefulness. "For comfort, the cat will seek some quiet corner and easy access to rest, preferably near a heat source such as a sunny window," explains Sandra. The reduction of mobility due to the wear of the joints also difficult to clean. Therefore, it is recommended to brush the cat regularly smoothly with a soft brush.
Kidney problems and gastrointestinal
The elderly cats normally ingest less water. This factor, combined with the increased need for fluid, increases the risk of dehydration and impaired renal function. Additionally, changes occur that affect the gastrointestinal nutrient absorption capacity and the consistency of faeces.
Aging Brain
Elderly cats may also show symptoms of cognitive impairment due to brain aging. "The loss of ability to recognize the environment, represented by events such as urinating outside the box, look for the feeder and meow without justification, is a sign of brain aging," says the doctor.
Sensory loss and dental
The aging brain also causes sensory loss, as taste and smell. These factors, combined with the weakening and loss of teeth can make eating more difficult. "The cat with more than 12 years may have difficulty eating, or simply do not have sensory stimulus for food. This can contribute to reduction of weight and muscle mass. Thus, it is important that their diet is rich in proteins and that the crust of the food facilitate mastication. It is very important that the owner be alert to these two points when choosing food from elderly cat, "concludes
Source: Modern Consumer
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This article was translated by an automatic translation system, and was therefore not reviewed by people.