Is your kitty friend a senior? Fluffy may be ready to retire after a career of napping, chasing catnip mice, and looking gorgeous. Kitties often mature gracefully, but their demands will shift slightly as they get older. You’ll also want to shift your focus from entertaining your feline companion to keeping her comfy. In this article, a local Matthews, NC veterinarian offers tips on how to keep your cat comfortable.
How Do I Make My Home Comfortable for an Elderly Cat?
Our feline friends are usually very skilled at making themselves at ease. They are also quite good at napping. Unsurprisingly, one of the best things you can do for your kitty is provide her with plenty of comfortable napping spaces. As far as your pet is concerned, you can never have too many beds. Lap space is also a nice alternative.
Provide Your Senior Cat With A Good Litterbox Setup
It is also critical to design a litterbox that is appropriate for seniors. You may need to provide your pet with a senior-friendly litterbox. These feature lower walls, making it easier for cats to climb in and out. Fluffy’s litterbox should be placed in an easily accessible location. It should not be too dark or drafty, and it should not be exposed to direct sunlight.
Groom Your Older Cat
Our feline friends for the most part take good care of their fur. However, Fluffy will find this more difficult as time goes on. She’ll have difficulty bending and stretching enough to reach every part of her body. Furthermore, the fur of senior cats is often oily. Brushing your cat on a daily basis helps to remove dead fur and dander from her coat, keeping her looking and feeling good.
Use this time to quietly examine your pet’s body condition. Watch out for unexpected weight increases or decreases. Check for lumps, pimples, lesions, skin issues, fever, and edema. If you spot anything strange, contact your Matthews, NC veterinarian right away.
Make Your Home Fun
Entertainment and enrichment are also important. Fluffy may very well spend a large portion of her retirement peering out windows and observing birds and squirrels outside. Giving her a cozy window seat with an excellent view will earn you some purrs. Toys and playtime are also important, of course.
Maintaining Your Older Cat’s Health
Fluffy may benefit from extra vet visits as she ages. Cats, like humans, are more prone to developing certain medical disorders as they age. It is also critical to keep an eye out for early indicators of illness.
Here are some things to look for:
- Poor Grooming
- Lethargy
- Litterbox Changes/Problems
- Bad Breath
- Enhanced Vocalization
- Diarrhea
- New Sleep Pattern
- Decreased Appetite
- Weight Gain Or Loss
- Uncharacteristic Behavior
- Excessive Thirst
- Hiding
- Vomiting
- Respiratory Issues
- Reduced Energy
- Discharge From Eyes Or Nose
- Hair Loss
- Urinary Abnormalities
- Coughing And Wheezing
If you detect any of these symptoms or anything unusual for your pet, contact your veterinarian straight away.
Provide Additional Comforts
Little things also make a big difference. Do you have a big residence and/or multiple pets? If you have multiple floors, place litter boxes on each level for your kitty companion. Fluffy will not have to use the stairs as frequently. You may also wish to set out extra water bowls. Or, get an automated feline fountain for your furry friend. Many pets enjoy drinking from rushing water! Night lights can assist Fluffy in finding her way to the litterbox or food bowl at night.
Remember To Play
As your kitty companion ages, it is critical that she maintains her physical activity. Take some time to play with Fluffy. Even a few minutes of sprinting, jumping, and pouncing is a good workout for her. In addition, this will provide your pet with mental stimulation, which is critical for her health and well-being. Consider it the feline equivalent of playing a card game or solving a crossword problem while working out!
You should also include additional heat and cold protection. In the summer, make sure your kitty has access to cool rooms and areas. In the winter, give her some extra blankets or a thermal kitty bed.
Handle a Senior Cat with Care
It is not unusual for senior cats to get stiff and sore. When lifting up or putting down your old cat, always exercise extreme caution. Kitties frequently get stiffness and soreness. Even being picked up can be unpleasant for your kitty companion.
Keep Your Furry Friend Safe
We suggest that all cats stay indoors. This is particularly true for older cats. They aren’t as agile or as sly as their younger counterparts, and they may be unable to avoid potential threats, such as the neighbor’s dog, which has escaped again. Fluffy may also become forgetful, losing track of where she is and being unable to find her way back home.
Keep Fluffy’s Motor Going
Love is the key to effective pet care. Pay special attention to your pet! Talk to her, pet her, and let her fall asleep on your lap. During this special time in your feline companion’s life, you may notice that she gets more cuddly and loveable. (Fluffy may even become cuter than ever, which is an impressive feat.) Keep that engine going!
Schedule An Appointment With Your Matthews, NC Pet Hospital
Do you have any questions about caring for an aging cat? Do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to serve as your local Matthews, NC animal clinic!
