2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines

Abstract

The guidelines, authored by a Task Force of experts in feline clinical medicine, are an update and extension of the AAFP–AAHA Feline Life Stage Guidelines published in 2010. The guidelines are published simultaneously in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery (volume 23, issue 3, pages 211–233, DOI: 10.1177/1098612X21993657) and the Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association (volume 57, issue 2, pages 51–72, DOI: 10.5326/JAAHA-MS-7189). A noteworthy change from the earlier guidelines is the division of the cat’s lifespan into a five-stage grouping with four distinct age-related stages (kitten, young adult, mature adult, and senior) as well as an end-of-life stage, instead of the previous six. This simplified grouping is consistent with how pet owners generally perceive their cat’s maturation and aging process, and provides a readily understood basis for an evolving, individualized, lifelong feline healthcare strategy. The guidelines include a comprehensive table on the components of a feline wellness visit that provides a framework for systematically implementing an individualized life stage approach to feline healthcare. Included are recommendations for managing the most critical health-related factors in relation to a cat’s life stage. These recommendations are further explained in the following categories: behavior and environmental needs; elimination; life stage nutrition and weight management; oral health; parasite control; vaccination; zoonoses and human safety; and recommended diagnostics based on life stage. A discussion on overcoming barriers to veterinary visits by cat owners offers practical advice on one of the most challenging aspects of delivering regular feline healthcare.

Effect of COVID-19 on Pet Food Bank Servicing: Quantifying Numbers of Clients Serviced in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside, British Columbia, Canada

“…This is a surprising finding in this context, as previous research identified that the majority of companion animals owned by those experiencing homelessness tend to be dogs and not cats (13,18,35). The discrepancy may be explained by the ease of which dogs, as opposed to cats, can be maintained outdoors without a confined space (36,37). The Charlie's food bank, however, not only services those who are experiencing homelessness, but also clients who live in low-income housing and have enclosed living quarters, which may explain this finding.…”

“…The Charlie's food bank, however, not only services those who are experiencing homelessness, but also clients who live in low-income housing and have enclosed living quarters, which may explain this finding. The prevalence of small apartment units in the Downtown area (23) also helps explain the high proportion of cats owned, since it may be easier to keep cats in smaller spaces than dogs (36,37). Our data highlight the need for researchers to evaluate programs serving a wider population to not make incorrect inferences about pet ownership.…”

“…First, housing differences could account for the maintenance in dog numbers. As previously mentioned, owning dogs while living outdoors may generally be an easier experience than owning a cat outdoors (13,18,(35)(36)(37). It could be the case that dog owners, who attend the food bank, are living outdoors more often than cat owners.…”

Successful and Unsuccessful Brain Aging in Pets: Pathophysiological Mechanisms behind Clinical Signs and Potential Benefits from Palmitoylethanolamide Nutritional Intervention

“…Over the last decades, life expectancy is getting longer, and the traditional 65-year chronological age threshold for entering old age has recently been questioned in favor of the fixed remaining life expectancy as a better indicator [1]. Similarly, the life expectancy of dogs and cats has been increasingly expanding during the last years, mainly thanks to the tremendous improvement of veterinary nutrition and medicine [2][3][4]. Currently, dogs are considered senior when they enter the last 25% of their predicted life expectancy, while feline pets are viewed as "old" between 10 and 14 years, with geriatric age beginning thereafter [3].…”

“…Similarly, the life expectancy of dogs and cats has been increasingly expanding during the last years, mainly thanks to the tremendous improvement of veterinary nutrition and medicine [2][3][4]. Currently, dogs are considered senior when they enter the last 25% of their predicted life expectancy, while feline pets are viewed as "old" between 10 and 14 years, with geriatric age beginning thereafter [3].…”