Senior Cat Care: 10 Things Your Elderly Cat Wants You To Know
With advances in veterinary medicine and an increasing number of people treating their pets as family, senior cat care is more important than ever.
Before we dive into the things your senior cat wants you to know, let’s cover some basic facts about feline aging.
When is a cat considered a senior?
Cats are considered middle-aged at seven to 10 years old, and seniors from 11 to 25 years old. Anything beyond that is just pure kitty magic!
How long do cats live?
A senior cat named Creme Puff is the oldest cat on record, making it to the ripe old age of 38 years and 3 days. While most cats aren’t as hardy as Creme Puff, it’s quite common for a well-cared-for senior cat to live into their twenties.
While the average lifespan for an indoor cat is 15 to 17 years, outdoor cats have a drastically shortened life expectancy of seven to nine years. This statistic doesn’t refer to house cats that enjoy stalking birds in the yard or lounging on the patio, but to cats that spend their lives roaming. These kitties are at a higher risk of accidents, illnesses, and predators.
10 Things Your Kitty Wants You To Know About Senior Cat Care
Now, let’s get into the meat of our post. If your older cat could talk, she’d want you to know the following things about senior cat care.
1. Cats get arthritis, too.
Cats are incredibly stoic. Often, pet parents do not even notice a problem until their senior kitty is really suffering. This is especially true of arthritis and achy joints.
Margaret Gruen, Assistant Professor of Behavioral Medicine at NC State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, writes: “over 90 percent of older cats will have evidence of degenerative joint disease and many will feel significant pain in one or more joints.”
She also notes that limping is not a common symptom of arthritis in cats. You are more likely to notice that your senior cat is sleeping more, “bunny hopping” on the stairs, or has an overall change in gait. When jumping on furniture, an arthritic cat may hesitate, break big jumps into two shorter jumps, or fail to land a jump that was once easy for them.
You can help your senior cat adjust to mobility changes by providing easy access to food, water, and litter boxes. If you have a multi-level home, install a short-sided litterbox on every floor. Some senior cat parents choose to switch to large pizza or cookie trays so their kitties don’t have to struggle to get in or out of high-sided boxes.
Place your cat’s main food and water bowls on a low, easily-reachable surface. Extra water bowls are a good idea too, as senior cats need lots of water.
You can also care for your arthritic senior cat by providing steps and ramps to their favorite resting spots. Maybe your kitty likes to sit on a particular windowsill when the morning sun hits just right. Lift her up, or scoot a chair over so she can make two small jumps instead of one big one. Throw rugs are also helpful, as hard flooring is slippery for elderly paws.
2. The warmer the better.
Senior cats love warm, sunny spots for napping. Make sure your baby has several warm, cozy beds that are easy to reach and free from drafts. Consider treating your sweet senior to a heated or thermal pet bed. As an alternative, veterinarians recommend warm water bottles for senior cat care instead of space heaters or heating pads. These products can potentially burn a slow-moving senior.
3. Grooming is harder for senior cats.
Young kitties are pretty self-sufficient in the grooming department, but the same can’t always be said for seniors. Not only do older cats suffer with joint pain and mobility issues, but they are also more likely to be overweight and suffer from medical conditions that affect their ability to groom.
Adding grooming skills such as gentle brushing and nail trims to your senior cat care routine can make a big difference in your kitty’s comfort. Gentle brushing removes knots and loose hair. More importantly, it stimulates circulation and healthy gland secretions so your cat’s coat stays shiny and healthy.
Keep in mind that a sudden drop in self-grooming could indicate a medical problem. When in doubt, contact your vet.
Feline arthritis can affect every joint, right down to the tiny ones in their paws. This can affect their flexibility, making it difficult to use their scratching post or retract their claws. Without frequent use, the thick outer sheaths that develop on toenails do not get shed. New nail growth continues underneath, causing the outer sheath to curl around and potentially puncture the paw pad. This is why less active seniors need more frequent nail trims.
Ask your veterinary staff to show you how to care for your senior cat’s claws. If you are uncomfortable doing it yourself, schedule routine nail trims with a professional.
4. Their senses aren’t what they used to be.
Just like humans, cats tend to suffer from vision and hearing loss in their senior years. Leaving on hall lights or adding nightlights in particularly dim areas can help your elderly cat navigate your home at night. Avoid making major changes to furniture, food, or litterbox placement, and be careful not to startle your kitty with sudden loud noises.
These sensory changes are another great reason to keep your senior cat safely indoors.
5. Senior cats can still play.
Your older cat may not get the zoomies like she used to, but play is still an important part of senior cat care. Try modifying your cat’s favorite activities and games. Instead of tossing a toy across the room, encourage your kitty to bat and kick her mouse on a small throw rug. Wand toys are also great for stimulating your senior cat’s hunting instinct.
While we’re on the subject of play, think twice before bringing home a new kitten to help “keep your cat young.” Kittens are incredibly cute, but their shenanigans are more likely to annoy and stress your senior cat than do her any good.
6. Nutrition is the core of senior cat care.
It was once believed that aging cats should be fed less protein than younger cats. The thought process was that decreased activity meant a decreased need for energy-rich protein. But veterinary nutritionist, Delmar Finco debunked this theory in the 1990s, proving that senior cats actually need more protein. However, senior cat parents must be careful to choose a diet that meets their kitty’s protein needs without causing weight gain or other aging problems.
It is important to note that kitties with kidney disease that has developed to stage 2 or higher should be fed a lower protein and phosphorus diet to help delay the onset of nausea and decreased appetite. Kidney disease can be detected in annual senior blood and urine testing with your veterinarian.
Senior cats may have trouble eating dry food if they have dental problems, and certain medical conditions call for specialized or “prescription” diets. Some senior cat care supplements such as omega fatty acids may also be helpful. As always, your veterinarian is an excellent resource for nutritional advice.
7. Senior cats need LOTS of water.
Fresh water is essential for cats of any age, but especially for seniors with deteriorating kidney function. Provide several bowls of fresh cool water and consider using a pet fountain if your cat is enticed by running water. You can also get more moisture into your cat’s diet by feeding high-quality canned or homemade food.
8. Senior cat care means seeing the vet more often.
You may be used to seeing your vet once a year for a routine exam and vaccination updates, but senior cats need more proactive care. Since cats age faster than humans, bi-annual exams are essential for seniors. These visits give you a chance to ask questions and point out problems. Phone calls and internet searches are no substitute for hands-on examinations with an animal professional.
Routine bloodwork is also important to help detect signs of illness. The earlier your vet catches a problem, the better the prognosis for your cat. Diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and kidney disease are the three most common diseases seen in senior cats, and all can be detected through routine blood and urinalysis.
9. Older kitties like their routines.
Cats are creatures of habit, and they become even more finicky and set in their ways as they age. Try to keep your senior cat on a set schedule of feedings, naps, and play times. This helps stimulate their brains and gives them something to look forward to.
Even happy-go-lucky cats used to being left alone for long periods may require more attention and routine as they grow older. If you must make major changes such as home renovations, do so gradually and with your cat’s needs in mind.
10. Keep the love coming.
Your kitty may be long in the tooth and sleep most of the day away, but she still counts on the warmth and reassurance of your affection. Take care of her physical needs with the senior cat care tips provided, but don’t forget to address her emotional needs too. Love and devotion are the most important things you can offer your aging cat.
Wondering how much your kitty cares for you? Check out: Do Cats Care About Their Owners? What Science Tells Us About Feline Attachment.