Senior Cat Care

A cat that is seven years old or older is generally considered a senior cat. Older cats have special needs. They may have more difficulty moving around and may be more sensitive to change. Their coats may not be as full and shiny as they used to be, and age-related conditions are common as the cat’s immune system slows with age. Regular visits to the vet are especially important if your cat is a senior. You should also watch her for signs of arthritis, diabetes and kidney disease, which are more common in older cats. Keep her active

An older cat should be encouraged to exercise regularly to help maintain her mental and physical health. If your older cat has trouble climbing, you can purchase a cat ramp or cat stairs to make it easier for her to reach her favorite spots, such as the window ledge where she likes to sit and watch the birds. Be sure that her litter box is on the level of the house where she spends most of her time, and if she has arthritis or another condition that makes movement difficult, you may want to get a litter box with a lower side so she can get in and out of it more easily.

Older cats are more susceptible to stress, so do what you can to keep your pet’s stress level low. Stress can result from a decline in senses. For example, if your pet can no longer hear as well as she used to, she may become stressed when she is trying to navigate her environment or respond to your call. Difficulty getting to where she wants to go can also cause stress for your senior cat. You can help minimize the effects of stress by providing your pet with a special “quiet place” such as a cat bed or a basket with a cozy blanket that she can retreat to when she is feeling overwhelmed. A thermal cushion or heated bed is an especially good idea for older cats that are more sensitive to cold, especially cats with arthritis. Older cats may also spend less time grooming, so you may need to brush her more to pick up the slack. This can be a special bonding time between you and your cat.

Feeding a senior cat

A senior cat also has different nutritional needs as she gets older. This is primarily due to a slowing of the digestive system, which results in an impaired ability to absorb vitamins, minerals, fats and electrolytes. Older cats may not get enough calories or nutrients in their diet and they may not drink enough water. Be sure to feed your cat a high quality diet and include a digestive aid if necessary to help her absorb nutrients better. This does not necessarily mean that you have to give her special senior cat food. Senior cats may also not eat as much because they have difficulty smelling their food. In that case, warming her food can help bring out the aroma and make the food more appetizing. You can also try mixing your cat's food with a bit of the water from a can of tuna or sprinkling in a few treats that she really likes to get her more interested in eating. Also monitor your cat’s water intake and be sure she is drinking enough. If she is not, try adding some ice cubes made with chicken broth to her water to make it more enticing. Cats with age-related conditions like diabetes, kidney failure or inflammatory bowel disease require a diet specifically for those conditions. Veterinarians will be able to provide a prescription diet for your cat if she has a condition that warrants one.

Don't be quick to chalk it up to old age

While behavioral changes in senior cats is inevitable, never assume that sluggishness or refusal to eat is a just a sign of getting older. Loss of appetite in particular can be an early warning sign that something other than growing older is plaguing your cat. For example, dental decay is common in older cats and can lead to difficulty eating. If you are unable to intervene and get your cat to eat or exercise or if she seems unusually lethargic, be sure to take her to your veterinarian as soon as possible.

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