Caring for an 11 year old cat?

On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 17:14:28 -0800, Julie wrote:

I've recently acquired an 11 year old cat. I took him in because my
neighbors were moving and were going to dump him at the pound. Going
by dog years it seems like he's getting on a bit. Are there any health
issues I should be watching for? I've got a vet appointment scheduled
for next week just to check things out. He seems pretty mellow, likes
to sleep a lot, and sit on my lap.

I'm going to disagree with some of the good folks here. 11 is pretty
old for a cat. Plenty live longer but according to my vet and many
others, the majority of cats, even indoor, are dead by 13. You're
doing the right thing by taking him to the vet so let's see what the
vet says. Is that his regular vet? It would be good to use the same
one. Having a chart is one thing but I think the continuity helps them
get a feel for the cats.

It was very kind of you to take him in. I can never understand how
someone can abandon an animal that has shared their lives. It's better
to bring him to the pound than just leave him to fend for himself and
likely die miserably, but not much better.

"dgk" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 17:14:28 -0800, Julie wrote:

I've recently acquired an 11 year old cat. I took him in because my
neighbors were moving and were going to dump him at the pound. Going
by dog years it seems like he's getting on a bit. Are there any health
issues I should be watching for? I've got a vet appointment scheduled
for next week just to check things out. He seems pretty mellow, likes
to sleep a lot, and sit on my lap.

I'm going to disagree with some of the good folks here. 11 is pretty
old for a cat. Plenty live longer but according to my vet and many
others, the majority of cats, even indoor, are dead by 13.


In that case, your vet is *way* out of date. It's true that 11 is
considered a senior cat (many sources use that designation beginning at age
7), but it is not true that the majority of indoor cats are dead by 13.
Here is an article from HSUS, which lists the "average life span" for an
indoor-only cat at 15-18 years.

MaryL

"MaryL" -OUT-THE-LITTER wrote in message
news:BpNSf.138472$0G.23907@dukeread10...

"dgk" wrote in message
...
On Fri, 17 Mar 2006 17:14:28 -0800, Julie wrote:

I've recently acquired an 11 year old cat. I took him in because my
neighbors were moving and were going to dump him at the pound. Going
by dog years it seems like he's getting on a bit. Are there any health
issues I should be watching for? I've got a vet appointment scheduled
for next week just to check things out. He seems pretty mellow, likes
to sleep a lot, and sit on my lap.

I'm going to disagree with some of the good folks here. 11 is pretty
old for a cat. Plenty live longer but according to my vet and many
others, the majority of cats, even indoor, are dead by 13.


In that case, your vet is *way* out of date. It's true that 11 is
considered a senior cat (many sources use that designation beginning at
age 7), but it is not true that the majority of indoor cats are dead by
13. Here is an article from HSUS, which lists the "average life span" for
an indoor-only cat at 15-18 years.

MaryL

Sorry, here is the link...
http://tinyurl.com/p5ucg

MaryL