Page 379 - Small Animal Clinical Nutrition 5th Edition

Chapter
21

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Feeding Mature Adult Cats:

Middle Aged and Older

Kathy L. Gross
Iveta Becvarova
Jacques Debraekeleer

“Every life should have nine cats.”
Anonymous

tional status is likely to be “physiologically older” than a healthy
CLINICAL IMPORTANCE 11-year-old cat).
This chapter builds on many of the recommendations in
More pet cats are getting older. Thirty-five percent of cats in Chapter 20 for feeding young adult cats. The minimum nutri-
the United States are at least seven years of age (Lund et al, ent requirements of mature adult cats are similar to those of
1999). The number of pet cats older than six years in the U.S. young adult cats.The few studies evaluating the effects of aging
nearly doubled (from 24 to 47%) over a recent decade on the nutritional needs of cats have shown minimal changes in
(Stratton-Phelps, 1999). Similarly, in Europe, the number of nutrient requirements.Therefore, nutritional recommendations
cats older than seven years increased by 100% between 1983 for mature adult cats are based on risk factor management,
and 1995 (Kraft, 1998). For the purposes of this chapter, the extension of learning from other species and prudence. Several
term “mature” indicates cats that are seven to eight years old key nutritional factors for mature adult cats, however, are lower
and older. It includes cats that could be considered “middle- than the recommended upper range for young adults. To date,
aged,” “senior” and “geriatric.” the only nutritional modification proven to slow aging and
Age-related diseases begin to increase in prevalence around increase the lifespan is caloric restriction. Reducing caloric
seven or eight years of age; this prevalence is coupled with the intake by 20 to 30% of normal, while meeting essential nutri-
gradual onset of behavioral, physical and metabolic changes ent needs, slows the aging process and decreases susceptibility
related to aging (Lund et al, 1999). Instituting appropriate to cancer, renal disease, arthritis and immune-mediated dis-
changes in nutritional management and preventive care at this eases in animal models studied (Sheffy and Williams, 1981;
point are important to reduce risk factors for common age- Kealy et al, 2002). This level of caloric restriction is difficult to
associated diseases (Table 20-1), thereby helping to maintain achieve in the long term and has not been incorporated into
good health and maximize longevity. Furthermore, a cat’s mainstream nutritional advice.
chronologic age may not accurately reflect its physiologic age Older mature cats become less active and have reduced lean
(e.g., an eight-year-old cat with kidney disease and poor nutri- body mass.Together, these changes reduce their basal metabol-