My 18 year old cat has recently started falling frequently when trying to jump up onto units etc?

Question

She also has an overactive thyroid which has been stable on treatment for some time. Otherwise she is well. Her eye sight is poor but has been for some time. Any help/ideas greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

The average longevity of a domestic cat is 12 years and maximum longevity is 28 years according the World Almanac and Book of Facts 2004. If however there has been a sudden reduction in the agility of your cat you might look at what you feed it. Cats need protein to maintain muscle tone, and need exercise to keep in shape. Cat are natural meat eaters. If your cat has not been getting enough food it may loose muscle tone also. There also have been some studies that indicate that prepared formulated food with non digestible fiber can lead to complications including reduction in muscle tone. Your cat at 18 is doing very well if it is still even attempting to jump up on the units. If her eyesight is poor she may be less capable of being "on target". Try letting your cat eat as much as it wants, give it a variety of food to choose from, dry food, canned food, water. Try changing the kind of food daily, (cats like variety):have at least two brands of dry cat food, and about a half dozen different flavors of canned food, and of course a dish of water. ( I like to feed my cat the small cans of cat foods since it is about the amount of canned cat food may cat will eat in a day, although my cat has eaten two cans in a day at least once.)

Answer 2

I would say that that's pretty much to be expected at 18 years old. You're very lucky to have had her for so long. My Smokey was 19 when I had to have her put down. Anyway, if it's something like a table she's trying to jump up on, then try to make it easier for her and sit a low stool close by. She can jump on that and then onto the table. Pet stores sometimes sell ramps for pets and Cat Fancy magazine has ads in the back of their issues for companies that sell small sets of stairs for just this purpose. The sets have 3 or 4 steps to them and they're great for older pets.

Answer 3

My 22 and 1/2 year old cat recently lost her battle with failing kidneys. A year ago I bought those carpeted animal stairs so that she could get up onto the bed more easily. She would try to use the coffee tables to get to me on my couches and she didn't always make it. I just picked her up to be beside me if she wanted.

Problems with the kidneys often result in losing muscle mass and strength in the back legs. Maybe the vet should check her kidney levels to see if this is a problem for her.

Answer 4

My bbcat is 17 and from your description seems to have the same problems as your cat, my vet prescribed "mobility support tablets" this is if you are in the UK! & she still darts around like a mad cat from time to time but these little "treats" have certainly helped her. Also plently of fresh chicken raw or cooked I've noticed has helped her a lot Infact anything rather than "Cat Food" Good luck to you, hope this of some help, certainly helped my cat.

Answer 5

To be sure you'd need to take her to the vet for a check up.

I'd say this sounds like general old age. Like humans, even cats become less agile as they age. She may have some stiffness in her joints. Alternatively, she may have a problem with her ears which is affecting her balance.

Answer 6

Most of the people that have answered this question are right it down to old age, you mentioned your cats eye sight been bad, this means that she will hardly have any depth perseption so will not be able to get the aim quite right and will fall, just make sure she doesn't seriously hurt herself ok?

Answer 7

yes she will fall when she's 18, their bones are rigid now, they've lost alot of muscle power and they will misjudge a distance. In human years she's ancient. As she gets even older she wont be able to jump on the sofa without a struggle. It's just old age but not in her head. Bless her. If she's well she's fine, just a senior citizen

Answer 8

Cats are just like people- when they get older they lose muscle mass and strength. Maybe you could put a foot rest or some low boxy (but stable) item near where she wants to jump- so she can use it as a launching pad- so she doesn't fall and get hurt. Her eyesight could be contributing to her instability- so maybe confining her to 1 room if she's home alone is a good idea, so she does'nt over do it and hurt herself.

Answer 9

I think it sounds like old age. I would suggest that you invest in the "doggy steps" or make one of your own at home. This can help her get up to those higher up places (such as a bed) without the chance of her hurting herself.

And if she hasn't been to the vet lately, I would suggest also bringing her there just for a check up to make sure everything IS ok, but if it's old age, she may just need some help. =)

Good luck!

Answer 10

I have a cat who is about 16years old ( cant rememeber exactlty but he's somewhere arond there) & he too has trouble getting up onto chairs etc now....... seems to 'drag' himself up, but can still run when he has to .... like when the dog wants to play at chasing about!. About six months ago he went quite skinny & we thought he was on his way out, but recently he eats a lot & has put his weight back on again! I think he may be losing his marbles a bit & he has started pooing in weird places in the house though his litter tray is there..... I think its just old age creeping up on him & your cat too.....it comes to us all sooner or later......I cant jump up on the units as good as I used to!!!!!!!