If your senior cat is starting to slow down, there are extra steps you can take to ensure that it is healthy, comfortable and content.
How to Help Your Senior Cat
Here are five basic steps you can take to make life better for your senior cat:
1. Visit your vet regularly. Cat owners sometimes have the tendency to not schedule regular visits to the vet unless their cat is due for vaccines, says veterinary surgeon Dr Debbie Van Pelt. But bringing your cat in for at least an annual exam helps your vet catch treatable illnesses in the early stages. For example, your vet can check for lumps and bumps. “Cancers that are caught early can be treated and removed”, says Van Pelt. Vets think of cats as senior at about age 10, says veterinary surgeon Dr Tracy Dewhirst. However, it’s a good idea to have your vet do a baseline blood-check when your cat is about 7 years old, advises Dewhirst. “It’s a good landmark. Then the vet has something to look back on if your cat starts to develop problems.”
2. Maintain your cat’s dental health. “From a veterinary health standpoint, oral health is really big. We see cats decline rapidly when they don’t have their teeth taken care of”, says Dewhirst. If your cat develops plaque and gum disease, bacteria can find its way into the bloodstream and threaten your cat’s heart health, among other problems. Cats with dental problems also might struggle to eat and maintain weight.
3. Watch your cat’s weight. Excess weight can lead to serious conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, and a fat cat is more likely to suffer from arthritis. Make sure your cat is eating a high-quality food designed for senior cats, and try rationing the portion sizes to help your cat maintain a healthy weight, as its metabolism has slowed in the last few years. Your vet can help you figure out an appropriate calorie count and portion size for your cat. You’ll also want to notice if your cat is losing weight, since older cats can develop thyroid problems, says Dewhirst.
4. Be a detective. Cats tend to be private, aloof and secretive. “By the time a cat owner notices a behaviour change, things may have progressed further”, says Van Pelt. “We see a lot of older cats where by the time we see them, we are diagnosing them with kidney disease and heart failure.” Pay attention to little clues, such as water intake, how much your cat is eating and its elimination habits. A change in elimination can signal a myriad of health problems and indicate a need for a veterinary visit.
5. Make your cat comfortable. A 16- or 17-year-old cat might show signs of creaky joints. If you simply make things easier, your cat is sure to enjoy better quality of life. Create warmth for your cat by using a heating pad or placing its bed near a warm area.
6. Give your cat extra attention. Natasha Deen, a Canadian author of novels for young adults, helped two beloved kitties live to the ages of 19 and 21, and she thinks extra attention made a difference. Deen cuddled her cats more and regularly brushed and groomed them. Your loving attention is crucial, says Deen.
