By Shivangi Goyal*
For a person with older cats, it could now no longer be unexpected that their cat’s needs have been modified as they have aged. Whether your cat is slowing down or being picky with meals, some modifications and/or life style changes should be done to ensure a healthy and long life for your senior pet cat.
There are a few things we can do to ensure healthy lifestyle habits in our cats and there is no better time than now to begin.
Here are some tips on how you could take care of your senior cat and keep them healthy and fit into their elderly years.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY FOR YOUR OLDER CAT
Regular exercising is an essential part of a healthy life, particularly as your cat starts to age. It aids balance, mobility, mental agility, and maintaining a healthy weight. Although your growing older cat may also show a less interest in exercising, brisk walking should be a vital part of your cat’s routine. This way, your cat can stay healthy and feel good for all the years to come.
PAY MORE ATTENTION TO YOUR ELDER CAT’S DIET
Diet is a critical element affecting the fitness of older cats. Owners may take note of the energy of meals to keep away from immoderate obesity. They may seek advice from a veterinarian about the dietary food plan mainly designed for older cats. As they are old, their palate and sense of odour are reduced, so that they want to ensure the palatability of meals. If they consume the prescribed diet the fitness of cats will benefit from the clean meals with additional vitamins.
TAKE YOUR CAT TO THE VET REGULARLY
For older cats, it’s important for veterinary care and check ups frequently. Disorders are part of aging, it’s important for your cats to have a fitness checkup every six months as they enter their senior years. Routine examinations assist in testing whether there are any abnormalities in fitness, to fid out disease in time and to treat as quickly as possible.
CARE FOR EYESIGHT
If you ever see your cat tumbling down the stairs, or they can not fid the door, then it could be that they might be losing their sight. As much as it hurts, many pets past the age of 12 start to lose their sight. However, it does not happen to all senior cats, so don’t worry. But do keep a check on their motor movements and keep the home pet-friendly.
PROPER ORAL CARE AND GROOMING
Older cats cannot tolerate dental ache and disorder. Oral fitness troubles can result in less appetite, loss of thirst, dehydration and drowsiness. Maintaining gum health and dental cleaning needs frequent vet visits. Besides, you can help improve your pet’s dental hygiene by making a habit of brushing your pet’s teeth and also providing them with a special diet. Senior cats might want special grooming, particularly cats with lengthy hair. Regular brushing of their hair will ensure a healthy and happy cat.
MAKE A GOOD LIVING ENVIRONMENT FOR YOUR SENIOR CATS
Older cats might not be capable of moving around like they used to, so it’s important that your home is older cat-friendly. For cats with arthritis, muddle bins with decreased aspects will make it less complicated for them to get in and out. A cat mattress on the ground is likewise an amazing concept as it offers your cat somewhere comfortable once they can’t make it up on the sofa or window sill. Make sure meals and water are on hand so your cat doesn’t need to climb up or down stairs to attain them.
KEEP A CHECK OF THE STOOL PATTERNS
A stool sample is the only factor which you should usually check. It can let you know about the troubles your cat is having. Whenever a few inner troubles happen, the stool pattern changes instantly. Normally the stool is brown, with little or no smell. If the cat begins to deviate from this pattern, then tell the vet instantly. They will have diarrhoea, constipation, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease or pancreatic disease. Consult your vet immediately if your cat experiences such symptoms.
Undoubtedly, the greatest need while caring for a senior cat is patience. Senior cats can sleep almost all day. Be aware of any change in your older cat. Even moderate changes can be a signal of an intense fitness problem. If in doubt, speak with your vet and visit the vet minimum twice a year.
*Author is Editor/ Content Creator/ Amateur Photographer
