Making Life Easy For A Senior Cat

Cats are living longer than ever these days, thanks to advances in veterinary care and better understanding of their needs. Fluffy doesn’t actually have nine lives, though we aren’t sure if anyone has told her this yet. Like us, she’ll have to make the best of her one. A lot of that is up to you! As your furry pal enters her golden years, she’ll need a bit more TLC than she used to. A local Tulare County vet goes over some things you can do to make life a little easier on Fluffy in this article.

How Do You Enrich A Senior Cat’s Life?

Kitties may seem like they make boredom a life goal, but the truth is that, just like any other animal, they need enrichment and stimulation. Keeping your kitty entertained doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive. It’s just about making your place a bit more fun for her.

Here are a few suggestions:

Playtime: Did you know that even taking just a few minutes a day to play with your feline buddy can be beneficial for her? This will not only help keep your kitty active, it also gives her mind a workout. 

Fluffy may tire out after just a few minutes—or even a few pounces—but that’s fine. You definitely don’t have to worry about overtiring her. If possible, try to play with your furry pal at the same time every night. Studies indicate that many pets feel both happier and less stressed when they are kept on pretty steady schedules.

Birdwatching Options: Provide a comfy window seat with a good view, preferably one that includes birds and squirrels. Your furball may spend hours relaxing and watching local wildlife!

TV Programming: There are now shows and even entire channels made just for Fluffy. As you would probably expect, these include a lot of birds, chipmunks, and squirrels. You can find several options for free on YouTube.

Create A Kitty Garden: Many of our feline friends really like sniffing and nibbling plants. Setting out plants for your furry pal will give her a taste of nature. You can even make your pet a little ‘lawn’ to lay one. Just plant cat grass or wheat grass seeds in a shallow tote or even an old litterbox.

Be sure to put your pet’s safety first, though. Stick with safe plants. The ASPCA has a pretty thorough directory on their website here. You’ll also want to be careful with arranging plants, Don’t put a heavy plant with trailing vines somewhere your kitty could possibly pull it onto herself.

Fluffy may also appreciate having a fish tank to watch, but you’ll need to make sure to set it up so there is no chance of her actually reaching the fish.

What Are Signs Of Sickness To Watch For?

As your pet ages, she will be at increased risk of developing several potential illnesses. These include kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, arthritis, cancer, diabetes, heart or circulatory problems, visual and dental problems, gastrointestinal disease, and liver disease. Fluffy may need to see her vet a bit more often in her golden years, so her health can be monitored and any developing issues addressed early. Between appointments, it’s also important for you to keep an eye out for signs that something is wrong. 

Some of the signs to watch out for include the following:

• Weight loss
• Appetite loss
• Constipation
• Incontinence or lack of urination
• Vomiting
• Behavior
• Trouble seeing
• Weight loss
• Appetite
• Decreased mobility
• Restlessness 
• Lethargy
• Litter box changes
• Bathroom incontinence
• Excessive grooming or lack of grooming
• Increased thirst
• Different sleep patterns
• Difficulty eating
• Disorientation
• Excessive vocalization
• Aggression24
• Anxiety

Contact your Tulare County vet right away if you spot anything off. 

How To Make An Elderly Cat More Comfortable?

Comfort is definitely king when it comes to caring for senior pets. Making your home easy, comfy, and accessible isn’t very hard: it really takes more thought and understanding than anything. Here are a few tips on that:

Grooming: Have you ever noticed that older cats sometimes seem a bit disheveled? This is quite normal. Just like people, cats often get rather stiff and sore as they age. It just gets hard for Fluffy to bend and stretch well enough to reach her whole body. Gently brushing your pet will get that dead fur and dander out of her coat. This will also help reduce hairballs.

Make Climbing Easy: Fluffy may always think of herself as a kitten, but she definitely won’t be as strong or flexible as one. Jumping and climbing will continuously get harder for her. One thing that can make a big difference is providing something that will help your furry pal get onto sofas and beds. Pet ramps or stairs are a great choice, but they aren’t the only option. You can get a small footstool or ottoman, or use a short chest.

Provide A Great Litterbox Setup: Make sure that your feline pal’s litterbox is in a spot that is easy for her to reach. This shouldn’t be in a place that gets cold, dark, or drafty, nor should it be in direct sunlight. If you have more than one story in your house, set out extra ones. That way your furry pal won’t have to go up and down stairs so much. (This is also something you would need to do if you have more than one kitty.)

Choosing the right litterbox may also help. Older cats sometimes have a hard time getting in and out of boxes with high walls. Pick one that Fluffy can get in and out of easily. Of course, keeping it clean is also important.

Offer A Drinking Fountain: Did you know that many cats prefer to drink running water? Giving your feline pal a little fountain can help make things a bit easier for her. As with the litterboxes, if you have a home with more than one floor, put these on every level to save your feline pal a few trips up and down the stairs.

Get A Nightlight: Just like people, cats sometimes develop vision issues in their golden years. Fluffy can see in the dark better than we can, but she may still struggle with what in humans would be called low vision, and may have trouble finding her way around at night.

Beds, Beds, And More Beds: Older cats are expert nappers, capable of snoozing up to 20 hours a day. Fluffy will spend the majority of her retirement years napping. Set out lots of beds and napping spots. As you may have noticed, cats will sleep pretty much anywhere. Just put a folded blanket in a box or wicker basket, or perhaps on an ottoman or a comfy chair. Instant purr!

Love: Of course, love is the secret ingredient to any good kitty care regimen. Keep that little motor going! Pay lots of attention to your feline pal, and just make sure that she feels safe and loved at all times. Always be very gentle when handling your feline pal. Even being held or picked up can be uncomfortable for an elderly cat!

Make An Appointment At Your Tulare County Animal Clinic

Do you have questions about senior cat care? Contact us today! As your Tulare County animal clinic, we are here to help!