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Nutritional considerations for the elderly/ageing cat (Fibre (Essential in…
Nutritional considerations for the elderly/ageing cat
Prevalence of disease
CKD
Thyroid disease
Diabetes mellitus
Hepatopathy
Osteoarthritis
Older cats generally have a drop in lean body mass and relative increase in fat mass. Muscular mass is more metabolically active so older animals require a decreased energy requirement
What happens during the ageing process?
lack of exercise/ reduced ability to exercise
loss of lean muscle mass: increased fat deposition
1/3 of older cats have a reduced ability to digest fat and protein. The ability of a cat over 12 to digest and absorb micronutrients decline
What factors need to be evaluated?
Lean mass/muscle mass
Lean mass to fat proportion
BCS
Digestive capacity
Protein
Do not restrict in older cats as it can have a negative effect on the ability of the patient to maintain their lean body mass
The source of protein and its digestibility is crucial
Low phosphorus levels are essential, especially in cats diagnosed with CKD
Quality of protein is the key factor as poor protein digestibility promotes bad GIT flora, softer faeces and faecal odour
Fatty acids
Energy source
Long chain omega-3 FA and omega-6 are essential for the provision of cognitive function, kidney health and natural immune defences
Long chain omega-3 from fish oil is essential for immune health and decrease prevalence of inflammation (which is good for osteoarthritis)
If omega-3 and omega-6 are deficient or unbalanced - skin or poor coat condition is the primary clinical sign
Vitamins
The ageing process is associated with oxidative damage of the body's cells
Antioxidants therefore provide protection from oxidative damage, which occurs from or during the inflammatory process and stress which leads to poor welfare/quality of life
Antioxidants include vitamin C, E, taurine, lutein, polyphenols. Diets should contain a combination of antioxidants as they have differing mode of actions
Other considerations
L-carnitine is recommended due to its role in fat oxidation. It is also beneficial for osteoarthritis
Green lipped mussel, glucosamine, chondriton sulphate and EPA/DHA are considered to be beneficial.
Cats have a lower ability to digest carbohydrates and therefore their use in feline diets is currently controversial
Fibre
Essential in the maintenance of GI health
Affects the speed of ingesta through the digestive tract and the resultant quality of the faecal output
As the ageing animal is more likely to experience reduced digestive capacity, the fibre type is important
Fermentable fibres (or prebiotics) can influence the microflora of the colon and can be a great energy provider to the colonocytes
Insoluble fibres should be below 25% as cats are very sensitive and it can result in constipation
Examples of fermentable fibres include beef pulp, chicory pulp, fructooligosaccharides
Minerals
Phosphorus restriction is essential in the older cat
Calcium: phosphate ratio needs to be maintained 1:1
Sodium content of the diet - should be enough to promote diuresis but not progression of CKD
Potassium - CKD patients tend to be hypokalaemic and therefore the diet needs to contain above the minimum requirement of potassium
Older cats need careful monitoring as they are at an increased risk of developing calcium oxalate crystals in the bladder