Caring For an Elderly Cat

Tips for Caring for Senior Cats

Cats age considerably more quickly than humans; thus, a check-up every 6 months for Cats between the ages of 10 and 15, and every 4 months for Cats above the age of 15, is recommended for maximum health and disease prevention.

While your Cat is still healthy, work to establish a close relationship with his or her vet.

This will help your vet get to know your Cat and notice small changes that could suggest a health problem or disease.

Our Cats can live long into their late teens and even twenties with proper care and luck.

However, as Cats become older, their physical and behavioural requirements change.

Whereas these changes are visible when your kitten grows into an adult cat, the transition from adult to senior Cat which begins at 11 years old can be more difficult to discern.

Some of the ways to care for ageing cats are listed below.

Domestic Issues

As the Cat ages, it becomes increasingly interested in hunting for something movable and soft.

Older Cats frequently have health issues, and they, more than anybody else, require cosy beds that provide enough comfort.

Your cat's resting quarters should be comfortable and free of drafts so that it can completely appreciate peacefulness and peace of mind.

To help a cat's joints, keep its bowl of clean drinking water as close as possible to where it usually rests that way, your pet won't have to make a lengthy journey to drink.

Additionally, the bowl's accessibility will encourage your Cat to drink more and more frequently to stay hydrated, which will assist keep his urinary system healthy and remove his urinary tract infections faster.

Another good tip is to put a litter box in a convenient location, even if the Cat has never used it before.

Now that your pet is older, he or she may require the use of a nearby potty so that the Cat does not have to travel vast distances every time.

Whatever your cat prefers to do, whether it's watching people from the window or sleeping on the couch, his preferred spot should be higher than the ground level.

Although Cats enjoy climbing and jumping, as they get older, they can no longer climb as high as they once could.

Simultaneously, if you build anything for the cat that resembles steps, it will become easier for her to get to the correct location.

You can, for instance, place the footrest on the floor to make it easier for the cat to climb onto the chair, and it will only have to make two short jumps instead of one large one!

Grooming

Because your elderly Cat is less able to groom itself, you may need to use separate pieces of cotton wool dampened in warm water to wipe away any discharge around its eyes, nose, or anus.

You may also need to brush your Cat with a soft brush and fine comb, but be gentle because senior Cats tend to be skinny and have little padding around their bones, so strong combing can be unpleasant.

You can also check for lumps, bumps, sores, or anything else that requires the veterinarian's attention at this time.

Only if there is any matting should shorthaired Cats be groomed completely.

This is most common on the lower spine and hindquarters, as your Cat may be less flexible and hence unable to self-groom in these places.

If your Cat has a long coat and is having trouble keeping itself clean, trimming the coat around the anus, the underside of the tail, and rear legs will help prevent soiling and matting.

If you detect any matts, tease them out rather than cut them with scissors, which easily injure the skin.

Contact your vet if you have any worries since severe matts can be quite distressing for your cat.

Play

There's no reason to get rid of your cat's favourite toy as he gets older.

Larger toys can help your old Cat lie down on its side, grab the toy with its front paws, and kick with its back legs.

This is a popular sort of play that provides an excellent exercise for stiff rear limbs.

The perfect 'kick toy' is rectangular or cylindrical, 6-8 inches long (15-20 cm), and composed of a robust fabric like drill cotton or towelling.

The cardboard box is a cat's favourite, but the idea may need to be modified for the elderly.

Older Cats may enjoy the prospect of exploring, but they lack the mobility to jump in and move around.

A huge box turned on its side with the opening facing your Cat will allow it to enter and investigate.

Carrier bags and paper bags, especially if they crinkle, can also provide possibilities for investigation.

Still, handles should be removed to avoid accidents, as Cats can easily get them tangled around their necks.

Emotional Support

As the Cat ages, several changes in the cat's physique will occur, which may appear peculiar and abnormal to you at first.

Remember, however, that if you become as tolerant as possible while still establishing an environment of love and caring around her, your Cat will age much more gracefully.

You only need to slightly alter your behaviour toward the cat, as well as take him to the vet regularly to keep him in good physical condition and your bond with her will remain as warm as it was when she was younger!

Trimming The Claws

Trim your cat's nails, for instance, once a week.

Elderly Cats have a harder time retracting their claws, which can cause them to become stuck in furniture and carpets.

They can also outgrow their pads and become stuck.

Trimming will be required regularly.

With the correct advice and training from your veterinarian, you may be able to do this common task yourself, avoiding the need for a potentially unpleasant trip to the surgery.

Hairballs

Hairballs are a common concern in senior Cats since their digestions are generally sluggish, and hair eaten when grooming can create complications, including persistent vomiting or constipation.

If your Cat has a problem with hairballs, certain supplements or meals can be obtained to help.

Dental Check-ups

Check your cat's teeth and mouth for signs of any growths, reddening of the gums, or indicators of dental disease frequently.

If in doubt, see your veterinarian.

Halitosis (poor breath), drooling, a 'chattering' jaw, loss of appetite, and pawing at the mouth are all indicators of dental illness.

Toilet Habits

Even if your older Cat has access to the outdoors, it's a good idea to give an indoor litter box since there will come a time when your Cat won't want to go outside in the cold, rainy weather.

If you provide a litter tray, you can monitor your cat's elimination habits for blood in the urine or faeces, changes in stool consistency, or other disease symptoms.

Garden

As your Cat ages, there are a variety of reasons why it may stop going outside.

The presence of other Cats in the territory, as well as a sense that your Cat is no longer able to actively protect its territory, will surely have a substantial impact.

If you can secure your garden, you can keep other Cats out while keeping your Cat safe on your own property.

Drinking

Senior Cats are more prone to dehydration, particularly if they have medical illnesses like chronic kidney disease, so they always have a variety of water bowls available in the house in easily accessible spots apart from where food is normally eaten.

You may need to try several types of containers, such as a ceramic bowl, glass, or drinking fountain, as well as different types of water, such as tap water, boiled water, filtered, spring water, and so on.

Adding a small amount of water to your older cat's wet diet may also be beneficial.

Water bowls, like food dishes, may be easier for an elderly Cat to use if they are elevated off the ground.

Festivities And Celebrations

There is no reason to modify your cat's routine if it has always been to a cattery while you go on vacation.

But, because senior Cats have difficulty adapting to changes in their routine, your Cat may choose to stay at home with someone coming or staying over to offer the required care.

The cat-sitter should ideally be someone your Cat is familiar with.

Celebrations and general events at home can be overwhelming for older cats, so you may find that your Cat benefits from having a safe and peaceful spot to withdraw to, where it has all it needs, while the activity is taking place elsewhere in the house.

Health Checks regularly

Your veterinarian will recommend the number of appropriate health checks for your Cat based on its age and overall condition.

Although knowing your Cat will be evaluated regularly is comforting, it shouldn't prevent you from being more cautious at home to identify the earliest signs of illness.

There are a few common warning indicators that should be brought to your veterinarian's notice, including:

• Appetite loss.

• Loss of weight

• Increasing the number of times your Cat drinks or the quantity it drinks every day

• Jumping difficulty, stiffness, or limp

• Lethargy

• Problems with balance

• Toilet mishaps or problems passing urine or faeces

• Unusual behaviour, such as hiding, hostility, or excessive vocalization, may indicate disorientation or distress.

Appetite Stimulation

As your Cat ages, its sense of smell and taste may deteriorate, and there may be times when your Cat requires a little extra encouragement.

You can boost appetite in a variety of ways, for example:

• Food should be given in small amounts and frequently four to six times per day as a starting point and in a calm location so that your Cat is not distracted by noise and activity.

  To entice appetite, try both familiar and unexpected foods.

• Consider the style of bowl you use to provide food to your cat: a wide, shallow bowl or one with a rim, for instance, may be preferred.

• Food can be served at room temperature or gradually warmed to just below body temperature to improve palatability.

• Play around with the consistency of the food you're serving.

  Soft food is preferred by some elderly cats, especially those with dental issues, over lumps or dry biscuits.

  You could try mashing the meal with a fork after adding a small bit of water.

• Raise the food bowl onto a box, for example, to allow a Cat with osteoarthritis of the neck to consume more comfortably.

• Avoid leaving uneaten wet food out for more than an hour, and avoid leaving a variety of foods out at once since this can be stressful.

• Sitting with your cat while talking and caressing them can help them eat more; you could even hand-feed them.