As cats reach adulthood, their daily care requirements begin to change. Older cats hold a special place in our hearts, so we’ve put together some tips for the best care for older cats. With a little extra support, your senior cat will be able to not only live, but thrive throughout their golden years.
Review your pet’s diet
Older cats have different dietary requirements than their younger counterparts. As they age, they may begin to struggle with weight control, dry skin, or other serious illnesses that affect their dietary requirements. During a biennial checkup, talk to your veterinarian about your cat’s diet and whether any changes need to be made to improve their overall health. This may involve switching to a prescription diet – such as urology or kidney care – or simply switching to a healthier, fresher option like Freshpet. One of the benefits of switching to food made with fresh ingredients is knowing that your older cat is getting virtual nutrients with every meal they eat!
Encourage them to drink more water
Water is important for all cats, but older cats are especially susceptible to constipation and kidney problems – both of which are affected by water intake. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways you can increase your older cat’s daily water intake.
- Switch to raw foods: Fresh cat food has a naturally higher moisture content than shelf-stable substitutes – 72% vs 10% in fact!
- Using the fountain: Cats love moving water, so the addition of a bowl with a sprinkler can increase the amount of water your cat drinks.
- Provide multiple water points: Place several water stations around your home, ideally at ground level, so that your older cat always has easy access to fresh water.
Schedule regular health checkups
Veterinarians, including Freshpet vet Dr. Aziza, recommend increasing the frequency of your cat’s wellness appointments from once a year to every six months as they reach adulthood. At these appointments, your veterinarian will likely recommend a blood test and physical exam, allowing them to screen for conditions that present in your cat’s senior years such as kidney disease, periodontal disease, or kidney disease. cancer. The earlier diseases like these are detected, the more treatment options are available and the better the prognosis.
Maintain a gentle exercise routine
Older cats naturally become less active but that doesn’t mean they should live a completely sedentary lifestyle. If you’re struggling to figure out how to get your cat to exercise every day, look out for toys they’re particularly interested in and save for these special exercise times. If you’re not sure where to start, some great options include:
- Toss mouse or ball through tunnel
- Encourage them to chase and catch a feather wand
- Fill a box with rags and have them dig up the contents
Regular exercise not only keeps the spirits of elderly cats up, but also helps them maintain their ideal weight, maintain lean muscles and improve blood circulation.
Keep their mind active
Keeping up with your older cat’s mental activity is just as important as their physical activity. There are two key times of the day when you can naturally engage their mind: mealtime and playtime.
- Playing time: If you have a cat that loves to treat, consider getting a challenge board like this one 5 in 1 from Trixie. Your cat will have to put his mind to work, finding ways to get snacks from five different compartments. Ripple Tapestry is another great option, as you can create space for your cat to hide, climb, explore and play – and combine configurations within seconds!
For more ideas, check out our list of the best toys to keep your pet busy in the house.
Modify your home as needed
Another part of caring for older cats is providing modifications, if needed. This could include toilet boxes with low-slope or step-in entries, swapping vertical rake posts for horizontal ones, or steps to help them get onto a bed or couch. If you’re unsure about how to best meet your older cat’s changing needs, check out our article on how to acclimatize your home with an old pet or talk to your vet. They will be able to help you find solutions that will allow your cat to move freely around the house.
We hope that this list gives you some insight into the best ways to care for your senior cat. Do you have any other tips you’d like to share with longtime pet parents? We’d love to see them in the comments!
