Old Cat

Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health. She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?

in article , Conrad at
wrote on 3/5/05 8:51AM:

Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health. She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?

Has she had a blood work up lately? With an older cat, I'd want a bi yearly
check up at least, but she IS 21 which is very old and gosh she sounds like
she has done well.

"Conrad" wrote in message
oups.com...
Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health. She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?

I'd take her to the vet for a check-up, incl. a full panel of blood work to
see what underlying condition(s) is starting to slow her down. She's a
really old cat, who's apparently been doing very well up till now. She may
be in an early stage of renal failure, for example, & with some treatment,
may continue to do & feel well for quite a while yet.

Cathy

"Conrad" wrote in message
oups.com...
Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health. She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?


She is just very old. Make things as easy as you can for her,
keep loving her as you do, and get her a geriatrics checkup
at the vet. Old cats are a lot like old people, if you think about
it. A little cranky, a little fussy, a little fragile but so delightful
when all is said and done. Maybe try some different foods
as her sense of taste and probably her digestion have
changed a bit.

"Mary" wrote in message
news:1110044872.d4addfd80e703c576cf4b2a27368018d@t eranews...

"Conrad" wrote in message
oups.com...
Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health. She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?


She is just very old.

If she is now noticeably drinking, whereas she wasn't before, that likely
indicates a medical reason in the background.

Cathy


Make things as easy as you can for her,
keep loving her as you do, and get her a geriatrics checkup
at the vet. Old cats are a lot like old people, if you think about
it. A little cranky, a little fussy, a little fragile but so delightful
when all is said and done. Maybe try some different foods
as her sense of taste and probably her digestion have
changed a bit.

"Cathy Friedmann" wrote in message
...

"Mary" wrote in message
news:1110044872.d4addfd80e703c576cf4b2a27368018d@t eranews...

"Conrad" wrote in message
oups.com...
Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health. She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my
lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes
out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?


She is just very old.

If she is now noticeably drinking, whereas she wasn't before, that likely
indicates a medical reason in the background.


Did you read the rest of my post where I suggested a vet checkup?
Incidentally, when my cat Gnarly turned 19 through the rest of her
life she stopped eating AND drinking as much. However, her weight
did not change until the end when she just stopped.

Cathy


Make things as easy as you can for her,
keep loving her as you do, and get her a geriatrics checkup
at the vet. Old cats are a lot like old people, if you think about
it. A little cranky, a little fussy, a little fragile but so delightful
when all is said and done. Maybe try some different foods
as her sense of taste and probably her digestion have
changed a bit.

On Sat, 05 Mar 2005 06:51:01 -0800, Conrad wrote:

Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health. She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?





she has lived a good life. Just continue taking care of her and see that
she enjoys her remaining time. Purrs that she will stay well and when her
departing times come, purrs that it is gentle. MLB

"Mary" wrote in message
news:1110046154.65a672e20ea45612a103d3048df5fbc7@t eranews...

"Cathy Friedmann" wrote in message
...

"Mary" wrote in message
news:1110044872.d4addfd80e703c576cf4b2a27368018d@t eranews...

"Conrad" wrote in message
oups.com...
Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health.
She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my
lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps
a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds
of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes
out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?


She is just very old.

If she is now noticeably drinking, whereas she wasn't before, that
likely
indicates a medical reason in the background.


Did you read the rest of my post where I suggested a vet checkup?

Yes, I did & left the rest of your post there, sans snipping.

Cathy


Incidentally, when my cat Gnarly turned 19 through the rest of her
life she stopped eating AND drinking as much. However, her weight
did not change until the end when she just stopped.

Cathy


Make things as easy as you can for her,
keep loving her as you do, and get her a geriatrics checkup
at the vet. Old cats are a lot like old people, if you think about
it. A little cranky, a little fussy, a little fragile but so
delightful
when all is said and done. Maybe try some different foods
as her sense of taste and probably her digestion have
changed a bit.

"Conrad" wrote in message
oups.com...
Our cat is almost 21 years old and has always been in good health. She
is now showing signs of age, being less agile when jumping up to my lap
and she has some tremor, her head shakes sometimes. She also sleeps a
lot more than usual.

She eats a little and sometimes is very fussy - ignoring some kinds of
food which she previously liked.

She has began to drink a little milk or water. Previously she never
did. Or perhaps she had access to water outside but she rarely goes out
now.

She does not appear to be in any discomfort.

Should we worry?


**Hi Conrad,

No, I wouldn't worry. She sounds amazingly healthy considering her age.
You guys sound like great parents. Any secrets that you want to pass along
to us regarding her longevity? :-).

With my old boy ( and he wasn't*as old as your baby),Blue, I, " senior
proofed" my home for him as he began to show subtle signs of aging which
began the last 5 or 6 years of his life.

I put a foot stool at the end of my ( high-3ft) bed to help accommodate his
ease of jumping and help slightly with his potential aching joints. I raised
his eating and drinking plates by putting an old covered phone book
underneath them, so when he drank and ate he would have an easier time
keeping his balance. It's often the little things we can do to help them.

Toward the last 4 years of Blue' life, I would almost always bring him some
cold water, and/or food to where Ever he happened to be sitting ( usually
right beside me) or laying. I would bring his water or milk or chicken
breasts, etc, to him
and hold it up to his mouth and let him drink or eat, like good nurse would
do. :-).

Blue lived to be 19 1/2, and if not for his sudden heart disease that seemed
to come suddenly ( just 3 months before he passed away from
cardiomylophathy-SP), I would bet in my heart that he would have lived to be
as old as your precious kitty is, or slightly older, because he was in very
good health for his* age,..but God had other plans.

ML

On Sun, 06 Mar 2005 21:27:45 GMT, "Slimpickins" wrote:


No, I wouldn't worry. She sounds amazingly healthy considering her age.
You guys sound like great parents. Any secrets that you want to pass along
to us regarding her longevity? :-).


I think some of it is general good health (got the healthy genes), and
also good mentality. I have found that the more dominant and/or
agressive cats seem to spend more time stressed out, and they don't
seem to live as long. Of all the cats in our home as I have grown up,
the dominant ones all died in the 12-15 year range. The extreme
neurotic cat died young, only 6, but then he chased raccoons. It is
our belief that he chased one too far. He wasn't the brightest.

My first cat was extremely mild. She would defend herself if
necessary, but she never went after anybody, and they all respected
her. She could curl up with anybody in the house, even liked the dogs.
She lived to be 19. Maynard is also very mild mannered. He is known as
the gentleman.Can't be any milder. He is 18 1/2 and going strong.

Kira, I worry about. She isn't dominant, but she is easily stressed.
She is a drama queen, and over-reacts to everything. So, while she is
very healthy at 11 years old, I will be surprised if she lives as long
as the others. Greatful, but surprised.

My new kitty, Jay Jay, is also extremely mild. He adjusted very
quickly and very well. He took a couple swings at the dogs when they
got in his face, but he hasn't growled once or started anything. He's
12.3 lbs and actually backed away when Kira (8 lbs) swore at him. So,
I think he will part of the long-life club.

It's similar to people. Those who get stressed out a lot, or have to
push for a super fast-paced life, tend to die at younger ages.

Another issue would also be their family and surroundings. Maynard was
losing weight a couple years ago, and I figured out that he was
actually depressed and/or bored. He would eat fine when I was around,
but not while I was gone.

I found that the simple act of petting him good bye when leaving for
work and giving him a special greeting when I got home, was enough to
get him eating normally again. He just needed to feel special again.
That was 2 years ago, and I still make a special effort to make sure I
say goodbye and pet him. And i make sure I find him right away when I
get home and love him up.


--
Meghan & the Zoo Crew
Equine and Pet Photography
http://www.zoocrewphoto.com