Behaviour and Welfare of Geriatric Cats - Special Academic Support

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Introduction

The meaning of Animal welfare is how an animal is coping with the conditions in which it lives. It can simply define as well being of animals. Among them, pet animal welfare is very important. Cats are popular companion animals in the world. Cats that are housed exclusively indoors generally live long and healthy lives, free from diseases and parasites (Landsberg, G.M, 2014).

Owning and caring for a cat can be a source of great enjoyment. Typically, cats live for about 14 years, but some live much longer than this. All cats including those that live predominantly outdoors need a safe and clean environment and protection from hazards. All cats need a safe comfortable place to rest undisturbed (Rachel A.C, et al; 2007).

Geriatric cats living in homes and shelters experience reduced activity levels due to physiological changes and a lack of motivation. This can affect their welfare. Identifying enrichment methods that stimulate them could make them to be active and increase their environmental complexity. The broad categories of enrichment are broken down into addressing social, physical, mental, and natural behavior needs (Heath & Wilson, 2014).

Cats are territorial and become very attached to their own familiar environment. They are naturally cautious in unfamiliar environments, including around new places, smells, other animals, and people. Cats need fresh clean drinking water at all times. Without water to drink a cat will become distressed and seriously ill. Cats need a well-balanced diet to stay fit and healthy, and they all need foodstuffs that can only be derived from meat-based products.

Most cats are playful animals and enjoy socializing with people. Play with people and toys is a valuable source of interaction and cats should have regular opportunities to carry out this behavior. Cats that do not go outside may need extra opportunities to play and exercise indoors.

When we discuss animal husbandry freedom from thirst, hunger, and malnutrition, freedom from discomfort, freedom from pain, injury, and disease, freedom to express normal behavior, and freedom from fear and distress are considered. These freedoms have been used to assess the welfare of farm animals, as well as laboratory and zoo animals. These principles can be modied for use in companion animals (Animal welfare act, 2006).

The provision of food and water is very important. A balanced diet that meets the animals nutritional needs at every life stage and should be supplied with fresh water. When considering a suitable environment, adequate space and shelter, no extremes of temperature, adequate light, low noise levels, and cleanliness are important factors. Under the provision of healthcare vaccination, sterilization, internal and external parasite control, and prompt access to veterinary care were considered. The provision of opportunities to express most normal behaviors is also important. The last one is the provision of protection from conditions likely to lead to fear and distress (Irene Rochlitz, 2005).

Main welfare issues in cats

With increasing age many physical changes take place. The reduced sense of taste and smell may lead to a loss of appetite and change in food preferences, reduced vision, and increased sensitivity to bright light. And also reduced skin elasticity, and reduced heart and lung function can happen. Heart and/or lung changes may contribute to reduced activity. Diminished bone and cartilage quality leads to painful stiff joints and reduced mobility.

And also there are some physiologic changes; these include a reduction in hunting, reduced ability (increased reluctance) to jump cats will appear to prepare for a prolonged period before jumping, reduced overall activity going outdoors less, possibly due to difficulties in using a cat flap or increased insecurity associated with mobility deficits, Increased sleep spending more time asleep or resting with eyes closed- possibly to avoid painful movement, reduced (difficult) grooming, thinning of the skin and reduced coat quality means the older cat may need help with grooming. less thorough grooming resulting in clumped fur at the base of the spine and hindquarters where spine flexibility is necessary to perform the grooming function, and also lack adaptability to change and increased vocalization.

Other signs that may indicate a physical problem include, stiffness, lameness, lethargy, balance problems, weight loss, etc. (behavioral aspects of caring for elderly cats/ 19/01/17).

Aging of cats may cause to decline in cognitive function (e.g.: memory, learning, perception, awareness). Clinical cognitive dysfunction may result in various behavioral problems.to treat pet animals, nutritional and dietary therapy, environmental enrichment, drug therapy, etc can be used(Gary Landsberg, D.V.M, et al,2005).

Treating behavior problems in geriatric cats

Behavioral modification and environmental adjustments may be needed to control specific behavior problems. A combination of nutritional therapies, drugs, and environmental management is useful to treat cognitive decline.

Nutritional and dietary therapy can be used to treat cognitive dysfunction.in here supplementing the diet with antioxidants to improve antioxidant defenses.And to reduce the toxic effect of free radicals (Gary Landsberg, D.V.M, et al, 2005).

When we discuss drug therapy anti-inflammatory drugs, and hormone replacement therapy are important.

The effect of environmental enrichment provided the greatest improvement. Abnormal behavior is often taken as an indicator of reduced welfare, we can enrich the environment through modifications to reduce abnormal behavior. Enrichment attempts are also aimed at reducing negative emotional states. These include fear and stress associated with exposure to novel stimuli (Newberry, R.C, 1995) . Previous studies have shown that continued enrichment in the form of training, play, exercise, and novel toys can help to maintain cognitive function.

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