As cats age, their needs change and their bodies slow down, but their love for family still runs deep. To show love in return, devoted cat parents will do anything to keep their senior cat happy and comfortable. And with some simple adjustments and a little extra time, cat parents can create the purrfect level of comfort for their aging cat.
By the time cats reach senior status at 11 years of age, they’re more than likely to suffer from arthritis. In fact, 90% of senior cats suffer from a degenerative joint disease with pain in at least one joint. And roughly one-third of cats have one or more chronic illnesses or disabilities. At 15+ years, felines are labeled as super-seniors or geriatric and these percentages rise.
No matter their age, our cats are forever our sweet babies and in need of TLC. But age demands extra comfort, so check out these 7 tips to keep your senior cat happy.
1. Lots of Comfortable Beds for Snoozy Senior Cats
Cats of any age love to sleep. In fact, felines sleep an average of 12 – 16 hours a day. But, as kitties age, they like to nap even more. Senior cats might sleep up to 20 hours a day. Help an older cat get super comfy by offering extra places to snooze.
Afflictions like arthritis, joint pain, and stiffness can make older cat bodies uncomfortable. Be sure their chosen perches are cushioned because stretching out on hard surfaces can hurt, arthritis or no.
One of the easiest tricks to keeping a senior cat happy is offering prime sleeping spots. Your elderly cat will thank you with lots of snuggles and purrs. If you’re a crafty cat lover, check out The Meow Place for DIY cat beds.
2. Stairs and Ramps for Aging Explorers
Driven by a nosy desire to explore, cats love to jump on any surface where curiosities lie, waiting to be discovered. Climbing is also fun for kitties because they are indeed wild things who must know every aspect of their stomping ground. But as cats age, jumping and climbing can get tougher while curiosity remains strong.
And let’s face it, stopping cats from jumping and climbing is much like wrangling eels!
Older cats trying to make distances they could once jump can lead to falls and injury. Help your whiskered explorer stay safe by adding new implements that aide mobility.
Rather than fight your older kitty for attempting to jump on the couch or the bed as he’s always done, place a step stool beside it to shorten the distance he has to cover. Sets of portable steps are good for this too. As are ramps.
For cats who enjoy climbing, wall ledges are good options for elderly cats who refuse to stay on the floor. With the ledges, cats can make small hops to arrive at their preferred higher destination.
3. Different Diets for Senior Cat Tummies
Tastes and nutritional needs change as cats move into the elder stages of life. While young felines need to pack away certain nutrients to help them grow and develop, elderly cats have different nutritional requirements as activity levels wane and metabolism rates drop. It was once thought senior cats need less protein, but this theory was proven false in the 1990s by veterinary nutritionist, Dr. Delmar Finco. His research proved aging animals actually require more protein.
Beyond protein-rich, low-grain diets, senior cats often have medical issues that require specialized food. Cats with dental problems are pained by crunching up hard kibbles and can only eat wet food. Certain additives can upset sensitive stomachs meaning some cats can only consume limited ingredient foods. Food can become a tricky thing as cats age, but you can help keep your senior cat happy and feeling pawsome by choosing what’s just right for your fur baby.
Related: View Our Guide To the Top Senior Cat Foods
Older cats not eating is a common concern for cat parents and if trying different food options doesn’t work, maybe it’s time for a trip to the vet to see what’s going on.
A Note on Senior Cat Water Intake
Moisture is so important for senior cat diets. Help an arthritic cat easily sip water by raising his dish as crouching low to drink can be uncomfortable on stiff and painful joints. And as cats lose visual acuity due to aging or medical issues, seeing the flat water in a bowl can be difficult. Cat fountains draw a cat’s attention with moving water and offer a source of entertainment as well.
4. Activity Keeps Senior Cats Moving
According to Cherry Hill Animal Hospital, “Cat obesity is important to address, and quickly, as it is associated with real risks. Obese cats are at a greater risk for many diseases like diabetes, liver disease, arthritis, urinary problems, lameness, pancreatitis and GI diseases of all types, and skin problems such as dandruff. Fat cats also experience a decreased quality of life and even an increased possibility of cancer.”
Playtime
While senior cats are definitely slower than their younger selves, they still need activity. Exercise is good for everybody, at every age. Keeping your cat active as she ages does her a huge favor. The healthier she is, hopefully, the healthier she’ll stay.
Silly play may seem like a young feline’s game, but senior cats enjoy a game of grab and catch too. After all, senior or kitten, cats are born hunters and play hones their abilities. Fun time does change with age though. When trying to engage your cat with wand-style toys, keep in mind that kittens are more likely to chase toys around the room, while older cats tend to stay in one spot. It’s important to keep playtime short for elderly cats, as they can tire easily.
As cats age, they may use vertical scratching posts less, but they still need a place to scratch. Providing scratchers in vertical positions or on an incline can make this experience more comfortable for aging cats.
Keeping senior cats active can help prevent weight gain, which can worsen joint pain and other health conditions. Regular nail trimming is also important for older cats, as they may have trouble retracting their claws and their claws may not get naturally worn down as they age.
Arthritis can cause pain and stiffness in older cats, but treats with fish oil can help alleviate discomfort. Fish oil is a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which can benefit cats with arthritis.
As cats age, they may require more veterinary care to monitor and manage age-related conditions. It’s important to keep up with any prescribed medications and ensure that your senior cat receives regular check-ups.
Finally, don’t forget to give your senior cat plenty of love and snuggles. As they age, they need comfort and companionship just as much as they need physical care. Show your older cat how much they mean to you by providing them with the care and attention they deserve. The sentence is missing, please provide the sentence you would like me to rewrite.