Pleasing 4 Pets

British scientists have recently revealed that elderly felines are at risk of suffering from a form of Alzheimer’s disease. Scientists discovered abnormal proteins which were similar to those found in humans suffering from the disease, in the brain matter of cats whilst carrying our routine feline autopsies.

But the threat of the disorder can be lessened by means of a healthy diet, good mental stimulation and regular companionship.

Alzheimer disease is the primary cause of dementia in aged humans, and affects an estimated 12million people globally. There are around 9million domestic cats in the UK and one third of them are considered to be old-aged.

Initial indications of the disease include changes in behaviour, loss of the ability to use their litter tray and changes in sleeping patterns.

Danielle Gunn-Moore a spokesperson for the University of Edinburgh’s Royal School of Veterinary Studies said:-

“We now know that our old cats, like old people, are at risk of developing these conditions.

I suspect that a lot of animals simply never get that old. If they are in the wild it would be very unusual for an animal to still be alive to the point it could develop Alzheimer’s.

But we are keeping our pet cats alive longer and longer.”

She began her investigation with colleagues in both Scotland and California subsequent to becoming aware of behaviours indicating senility in her then eight year old pet cat.

Felines age at much faster rate than their human owners and could offer scientists crucial information in relation to the ageing process, including the development and progression of dementia and prospective cures for animals and humans alike.