Keeping A Senior Cat Comfortable

Is your feline buddy entering her golden years? After a long career of napping, chasing catnip mice, and looking adorable, Fluffy may be quite ready for her retirement … which will of course consist of napping, chasing catnip mice, and looking adorable. Kitties usually age gracefully, but their needs will change a bit as they grow older. You’ll also want to start concentrating more on keeping your feline buddy comfortable than you will on entertaining her. A local Stonington, CT vet offers some advice on keeping your kitty comfy in this article.

How Can I Tell If My Older Cat Is Comfortable?

Kitties can be mysterious, to say the least. However, once you get to know your feline pal, you’ll become pretty astute at picking up the signals that let you know how she’s feeling. Keep an eye out for behavioral changes, such as a quiet cat suddenly yowling nonstop.

Senior cats aren’t as playful as kittens, but they still have their moments of friskiness. And while Fluffy may sleep through most of the day, she should be alert and inquisitive. Playfulness is always a good sign. (Don’t worry if your pet only plays in little bursts: that’s fairly normal for aging kitties.)

How Do I Make My Home Comfortable For An Older Cat?

Our feline pals are usually pretty good at making themselves comfortable. They’re also very, very good at sleeping. Unsurprisingly, one of the best things you can do for your feline buddy is make sure she has lots of comfy napping spots. Store-bought beds are purrfectly fine, and are usually relatively cheap. However, you can also easily make them out of blankets, pillows, pillowcases, and even old clothes. You may want to get your furball a good orthopedic bed. This will provide extra support for your kitty’s bones and joints. Fluffy also will be perfectly happy to curl up in a box or wicker basket with a blanket or pillow in it.  (Lap space, of course, is also a good option.)

Give Your Senior Cat A Good Litterbox Setup

Creating a senior-friendly litterbox setup is also important. You may need to get your furry pal a senior-friendly litterbox. These have lower walls, so they are easier for kitties to climb in and out of. Fluffy’s litterbox should be in a spot that is easy for her to reach. It shouldn’t be dark or drafty, and you definitely don’t want it in direct sunlight.

Groom Your Older Cat

Our feline pals are very clean, and they are for the most part pretty good about taking care of their fur. However, this will get more difficult for Fluffy over time.  She’ll have a hard time bending and stretching enough to really reach every spot of her body. Plus, older cats’ fur tends to be a bit greasy. That can also make them look unkempt.

By brushing your kitty daily, you’ll help get dead fur and dander out of her coat, keeping her looking and feeling good. Use this time to discreetly check your furball’s body condition. Pay attention to sudden weight gain or loss. You’ll also want to look for things like lumps, bumps, lesions, skin problems, heat, and swelling.  Contact your vet right away if you notice anything unusual.

Make Your Home Fun

Entertainment and enrichment are also important. Fluffy may very well spend a huge chunk of her retirement looking out windows and watching birds and squirrels outside. Giving her a comfy window seat with a good view will score you some purrs. Your furry retiree will still enjoy toys, and she’ll never outgrow her love of boxes. Bring things home for her now and then.

Keeping  Your Older Cat Healthy

Fluffy may benefit from visiting the vet a bit more as she grows older. Just like people, cats become more prone to developing certain medical conditions as they grow older. It’s also important for you to keep a close eye out for warning signs of sickness.

Here are some of the things you would want to look for:

• Appetite loss
• Weight loss or gain
• Behavioral changes
• Excessive thirst
• Hiding
• Vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Grooming changes
• Lethargy
• Litterbox changes/trouble
• Bad breath
• Increased vocalization
• Diarrhea
• Changes in appearance
• Changes in sleep habits
• Decreased energy
• Discharge from eyes or nose
• Hair loss
• Foul breath
• Abnormal urination
• Coughing or wheezing

One of the biggest things to look for?  Changes in Fluffy’s personality or behavior. For instance, if your pet is usually friendly, but starts hiding, it may be a red flag. Contact your vet right away if you notice any of these things, or anything out of the norm for your pet.

Provide Extra Comforts

Do you have a large house and/or more than one pet? If you have more than one floor, put litter boxes on every level for your feline pal. That way, Fluffy won’t have to use the stairs as much. You may also want to set out extra water bowls.

Speaking of water bowls, consider getting your little buddy an automated kitty fountain. Many pets prefer to drink running water!

Don’t Forget To Play

It’s still important for your feline buddy to stay active as she ages. Take time to play with Fluffy. Even a few minutes of running, jumping, and pouncing is a great workout for her. Plus, this will provide your furry pal with mental stimulation, which is also very important for her health and well-being. Think of it as the feline version of playing a card game or doing a crossword puzzle … while working out!

Small Comforts

Little things can make a big difference when it comes to pet care. Putting night lights out can help Fluffy find her way to the litterbox or food bowl at night. 

You’ll also want to provide extra protection against heat and cold. In summer, make sure your kitty has access to cool rooms and areas. In winter, offer her some extra blankets, or perhaps a thermal kitty bed.

Handle A Senior Cat Carefully

It’s not uncommon for older cats to get stiff and sore. Always be very careful when picking your aging cat up or putting her down. Kitties often get quite stiff and sore. Even being picked up could be uncomfortable for your feline pal.

Keep Your Furry Pal Safe

We recommend that all cats stay indoors. This goes double for older cats. They aren’t as nimble or spy as their younger buddies, and may not be able to escape potential hazards, like the neighbor’s dog that got out again. Plus, Fluffy may become a bit forgetful. She could forget where she was and not be able to find her way home.

Pay Attention To Your Kitty

The secret ingredient in any great pet care regime is always love. Pay lots of attention to your furry pal! Talk to her, pet her, and let her snooze on your lap. During this precious stage of your feline friend’s life, you may notice that she becomes more cuddly and lovable. (Fluffy may even manage to become cuter than ever, which is clearly no small feat.) Keep that motor going! 

In Conclusion: As your feline pal ages, you’ll want to shift your focus from keeping her entertained to keeping her comfortable. Brushing your cat, providing soft beds, and, most of all, keeping up with veterinary care can go a long way.

Make An Appointment At Your Stonington, CT Pet Hospital

Do you have questions about caring for an older cat? Please do not hesitate to contact us. As your local Stonington, CT animal clinic, we are here to help!