Does Your Cat Need “The Seven Year Switch?” (NAPSA)—People may get the “seven-year itch,” but cats need the “seven-year switch.” If your cat is seven years old and you think she is still a “kid,” think again. According to experts, she actually is about 44 years old in terms of life stage. By the time she is 10, she will be about 56 in human years—and whenshehits 20, she will have aged the equivalent of nearly one human century. Manypeople don’t realize that, at age seven, most cats begin to make the transition to their “middle-aged” or mature adult years. While you might not visibly recognize it, age-related changes can affect the way your cat’s organs work. Aging also can lead to a natural slowing of the cat’s resting metabolic rate, loss of muscle, an increase in body fat, and even an increased risk of obesity. Just as middle age creeps up on people, it can sneak up on cats as well. If you want to help meet your mature cat’s nutritional needs, it may help to feed her food such as Eukanuba Mature Care Formula, which is made especially for older felines. It features what’s called the Vital Health System”—a unique way of addressing the nutritional requirements of cats age seven andolder. In addition, it contains select nutrients that focus on dental health, weight management, the immune system, skin and coat, the digestive system, and blood sugar metabolism. According to Dr. Dan Carey, a veterinarian and director of technical communications at The Iams Company, antioxidants are particularly important to maintaining a senior cat’s immune system. 2. Exercise—Cats tend to pack on some extra weight as they approach the mature adult years. Make time to play with your cat on a regular basis. 3. Hydration—Yourcat needs How OldIs Your Cat In Human Years? Cat Years Human Years I 2 15 24 3 4 28 32 5 6 36 40 7 8 44 48 9 10 52 56 15 20 78 96 Source: The lams Company fresh water available at all times, so make sure her water bowlis kept full and accessible. If you have a multi-level home, keep a bowl on every floor. 4. Veterinary Visits—Older cats require more than an annual @ “Antioxidants, such as lutein and vitamin E, fight free radicals,” said Carey. “If you have a mature adult cat, look for a food that con- tains antioxidants, which can nutritionally boost the immunesystem of older cats.” Additionally, Dr. Carey offers the following seven tips to help your cat with the “seven-year switch”: 1. Nutrition—Your senior cat needs the right diet for her nutritional needs. As she ages, her metabolism changes, along with her immune system, digestive system, and a host of other functions within her body. Supported by extensive research into the needs of aging cats, Eukanuba Mature Care Formula provides appropriate levels of protein, fat, calories, vitamins and minerals expressly designed for cats age seven andolder. exam. Once they hit age seven, they should visit the veterinarian for checkupsat least two times a year. 5. Elimination of “Treats”— It is tempting to want to indulge your cat with fatty treats, especially a cat you have known and loved for so many years. However, those extra calories—even in small doses—can lead to unhealthy weight gain. 6. A Watchful Eye—Monitor your cat closely for early signs of age-related illness, including weight loss despite a good appetite (a potential sign of hyperthyroidism) and increased thirst and urination (a potential sign of kidney disease). Keep an eye out for the external signs of aging, such as dullness of the eyes, decreased muscle massin the legs and face, andchanges in sleep patterns. 7. Love And Affection—Even as your cat grows older and slows down a bit, she still needs your devotion and attention. As for the capacity to give and receive love and affection, there are no age limits, so let your cat know daily how much she meansto you. For more information on how to make the “seven-year switch” a healthy and vibrant time for your cat, call 1-888-EUKANUBA or visit www.eukanuba.com.
