Introduction

Before diving into the discussion. First, we need to know when is a cat considered senior or elderly. Some cats reach those golden years stage at the age of 12. Some people prefer to take in elderly cats because they tend to be less hyper and energetic than younger cats and kittens, so they’re more likely to lounge at home, or in your lap, which makes them someone’s ideal pet.

1. Veterinarian Visits for Your Senior Cat

Whether you’ve just taken in an elderly cat, or you’ve been raising her since her wide-eyed kitten years, there are some senior cat essentials you need to know about, starting with the vet visits. By annual veterinarian visit, an absolute essential and one you need to get started on right now is frequent vet visits. Even while your cat is still healthy, it’s important to keep up with a doctor, so that not only can they get to know your cat, but so they’re able to pick up on any new health conditions. As your cat ages, she needs to visit her veterinarian more often. The ideal recommended time is once around every six months. Again, even if your cat seems healthy. Why? Did you know that six months in a cat’s life is about the equivalence of two years for a person? A lot can change during that time, and since cats are unfortunately masters of hiding pain and illnesses, this is how you can pick up on those subtle shifts. In your part, this is what you can do. It helps to keep a cat journal. This is where you can jot down her appetite if she vomits and her bowel movements. Track any differences in behavior such as sleeping more or less, or excessively hiding. The next time you visit the vet, tell them about any changes in behavior.

2. Improving Your Cat’s Access to Water

Senior cats are prone to kidney disease and constipation, especially if they neglect to stay hydrated. One essential that cannot be ignored is increasing your cat’s access to water. At this stage, they might not be able to jump around as they used to, and by association, they might not be able to jump on counters or frequently make the trip to the usual water dish. The solution is easy enough. Add plenty of bowls and water foundations around the house to both provide more options and to entice your cat to increase her intake.

3. Maintain your cat’s dental health

Aging cats are prone to dental disease. Their quality of life can be affected by broken teeth, gum disease, holes in their teeth, and oral tumors. In addition, any infection in the mouth can enter their bloodstream and affect their hearts, livers, and kidneys. Again, since cats have made it into an art to hide if they’re in pain, there’s usually no clear sign of dental disease. This is why an essential to improving their quality of life and even increasing their lifespan is routine dental care and veterinary exams.

4. Give your cat plenty of tools to stay active

Just because your cat is a senior doesn’t mean she won’t have the occasional youthful spring in her step when she sees a fun opportunity to play. All cats need plenty of ways to hunt and play. These upcoming tips will help them stay both physically and mentally stimulated, healthy, and happy. The only difference between a cat and a senior one is that senior cats require extra care and thought in this area. Your home may need some adjustments to make it more accessible and easier on their joints. These aging cats struggle with limited mobility. They can’t dart from one place to another as they used to. To help cats with arthritis, for instance, you can place a carpeted cat ramp. This will act as both a scratching post for whenever the urge hits and as a climbing aid. A senior cat or not, your cat is going to want to run around like the best of them. However, the same toys won’t suffice. It’s best to use toys that won’t intimidate them. Experiment with several toys and see what gets their attention and that twinkle in their eyes. Elder cats especially love kick toys because it allow them to comfortably lay down while playing and exercising their hind legs. And hey, if all else fails, a cardboard box will still drive them crazy.

5. Give your cat a cozy bed

At this age, you may no longer find your cats napping in odd places. They just want a nice cozy spot to lounge in per. It’s important to provide them with a covered cat bed to give them a cozy, warm place. A covered cat bed also immensely helps suit their aging and sore joints and muscles. Some people swear by hammock-style radiator beds because they’re especially warm and relaxing.

6. Groom your cat

Once upon a time, your cat’s coat was her pride and joy. She would strut around showing off her clean and silky fur. mean she still doesn’t enjoy a well-taken care of coat. Do your part by brushing their coats on a regular basis. Take a damp cloth and gently wipe around their eyes to catch any discharge. If you have a particularly long-haired cat, brush frequently to stop matting in the fur to keep out any discomfort. And here’s a necessary bonus. You’re bonding with your cat. This wonderful routine creates a chance to strengthen your relationship with them. Plus, grooming gives you the opportunity to check for any unusual changes in their bodies, such as sores, lumps, or bumps. A sure sign that there might be something wrong with your cat, especially if it’s pain in her joints or mouth, is an uncapped coat.

7. Help your cat sharpen its claws

While speaking of grooming, we need to talk about their claws. The recommended frequency of trimming their adorable but sharp claws is every two to four weeks. This dramatically reduces the chances for them to get their claws stuck in carpets and furniture, as well as damage their paws. It’s not up to you to sharpen your cat’s claws, but you can help her. Even older cats love scratching and sharpening their claws, but they’re not young and spry anymore. Wall-mounted and standing scratch posts are a thing in their glorious past. You can get your cat a horizontal scratching surface. Better yet, make sure to provide one with a softer material such as carpet to help them scratch easily.

8. Help your cat scale heights

Most cats never give up their love to scale heights and majestically observe the world under them, and that applies to senior cats. However, they may find trouble to gracefully scale up the way they once used to, especially if they have age-related disease or pain. As a result, they may still try to climb, but they’re more likely to fall. So what can you do? You can help them reach their favorite high surface or perch by providing a ramp or placing a piece of furniture that acts as a stepping stool. If you want to go an extra step, cover this in carpet in order to help them get a good grip. For no ramp, it’s always a good idea to create a safety net in the form of a crashmat underneath this perch in case your adventurous kitty ever falls. If your cat likes to sit on the window sills, a simple cushion under it will lessen the impact of their fall.

9. Litterbox do’s and don’ts

Finally, we have arguably one of the most important essentials we can give you, the litterbox do’s and don’ts. As a general rule of thumb, have a litterbox that is fairly large, large enough so that your cat has plenty of space to move as she wishes. And because your cat has always lived with the same litter doesn’t mean it will accommodate her in her later years. Low sides are essential so that your senior cat can easily climb in and out and not be deterred from doing her business. Several litter trays around the house are always a good idea, all located in quiet areas so your cat feels the privacy and safety it needs. Usually, it’s recommended that cat owners keep litter trays away from food and water bowls. However, this may be the exception. If your cat is particularly elderly or has a disease that makes it wobbly or uncoordinated the litterbox should be in an easily accessible location to reduce potential accidents. Last but not least, give your elderly cat a lot of love and be patient in understanding of food spilled on the floor or maybe a missed litterbox attempt or even some miscalculation while climbing things and maybe accidentally knocking over things. After all, he is no longer as agile and athletic as before. Let us know in the comments.

Conclusion

So, there is always a need an extra care for your senior cat for its healthy and happy life. Taking proper care of your senior feline can increase its lifespan too. So, keep a close eye on your cat’s behavioral aspects and treat them immediately. Visiting a vet often is a common task for you to ensure your cat’s good and healthy life.