In the past few months, our female cat just about 20 years old, has been “missing” the litter box. Now, if any of you are cat owners, you know that the last thing you want in your home is cat urine on the carpets! Keeping a scrupulously clean litter box is a given…no kitty odor there! But knowing the changing habits of a senior pet can be challenging.
You might wonder what this has to do with nutrition effects on diabetes. We took “kitty” to the vet Saturday morning when daddy was available to hold her…she’s a one man cat. The veterinarian’s staff and doctor herself raved about her general health, but agreed her symptoms indicated tests for the obvious problems of bladder infection, diabetes and kidney failure. Not so different than human symptoms, she had been drinking more water than normal, and of course, peeing more than normal as well.
The vet performed a thorough physical exam and believe me, I was so impressed with our cat’s behavior! You see, she is an indoor cat…never outdoors except for breaking through the screened porch about 10 years ago when the screen was rotten. Along with good genes, I’m sure that is why she’s lived this long. Tests showed nothing conclusive for diabetes but she is close to kidney failure…primarily due to old age. We’ve been told to change her diet to give the kidneys relief from processing proteins. Also, we’ll add a litter box in the home so she has access if she can’t quite make it to the usual box.
Incontinence in pets is not unusual and not fun. Call your veterinarian for more information on your pet’s needs.