old siameese mix

Question
I have two cats; 15 yr old and 7 yr old. My question is about the 15 yr old. He is healthy and well mannered and seems happy. He is obviously getting old and is becomming boney (vet says this is regular for old cats). Can I add something to his diet like kitten milk or something... to brighten his fur and put a little weight on him?  

Answer
Hi Lori.  It can be considered normal for geriatric cats to begin to lose some muscle tone.  However, there are three extremely common conditions in elderly cats that cause weight loss - kidney failure, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes.  Hyperthyroidism and diabetes are pretty manageable.  Kidney failure can be managed for some time, with a special diet and some medications, but it is a progressive disease.  I would highly recommend having a complete blood workup done if your vet hasn't done this already.

Kitten milk does contain extra fats that may help your kitty to gain some weight.  But you'd have to watch closely for diarrhea.  Some cats are lactose intolerant, and kitten milk contains lactose.  Also, fats can be hard to digest and can cause diarrhea.

What I'd recommend is to switch him to kitten food over the course of a week, if you can, or ask your vet about a prescription diet for geriatric cats.  Most senior formulas on the market are geared toward older, less active cats who become obese.  Since your cat is actually losing weight, he probably needs a food higher in calories, which your vet should carry.

One of the best ways to maintain a shiny coat is to brush the kitty every day, or at least a few times a week.  I suggest to use a slicker brush for this.  These are available at pet stores.  They have lots of thin wire teeth, sort of shapes like little rakes.  Brushing gently with this brush will help remove dead hair and skin flakes, and also will distribute the skin's natural oils throughout the fur, to keep it healthy and glossy.

Also, you could add a teaspoon of fish oil to his food a couple times a week.  This adds moisture and proteins to his diet to help promote healthy skin and fur.

There are protein wipes available at pet stores that are supposed to create a healthy coat, but studies have shown these are not likely to be as effective as supplements like fish oil.