The Best Way To Care For An Elderly Cat.

It happens before you know it that cute adorable kitten you brought home is now in his senior years. You see the signs of him aging and you would like to have him around for a longer time. What can you do to maintain your cat’s health as he ages? This article will inform you on how to care for an elderly cat.

First thing – you need to pay attention to your cat’s behavior and appearance. Is your cat eating/drinking more or less than usual? Has he lost or gained weight? Is he grooming himself properly? Exibiting any unusual behavior? Any change in his sleeping patterns?

Just to be on the safe side, you should take him in for a checkup to see if he may have any health issues that need to be monitored closely. Older cats can get arthritis, diabetes, hyperthroidism along with a host of other feline diseases. These are the things you need to consider when caring for an older cat.

It’s important you have good rapport with your veterinarian. Never let your vet prescribe any medications until you’ve had your cat tested. Up to date tests can reveal potential problems and could even save your cat’s life.

Every year your cat should be have a complete physical exam, including a urinalsis, fecal exam, and blood work done to ensure you stay on top of his health.

Dental care in cats is very important. See to it your cat’s teeth are checked on a regular basis. If left unattended, plaque can build up on the teeth and cause gum problems. Gum problems can cause infections which can damage their organs. Also this can create other health issues and shorten a cats lifespan.

Your cat’s dietary needs will change as he ages. Supplement his diet with feline vitamins. Low blood potassium is more common in older cats which can result in the deterioration in body organs and systems. Research has found that low potassium can contribute to kidney damage. Giving your cat potassium will help maintain healthy kidney function and your cat will act, eat, and feel better too. You can get potassium through your veterinarian in three forms: 1) a tablet 2) powder 3) a tasty gel.

Feed him food that is high quality, fit for human consumption. Most commercial foods on the market have impurities that are harmful to cats at any age. Another thing, these foods are loaded with carbohydrates which can cause weight gain, along with a host of other illnesses in cats. Avoid cat food that has meat- by- products, bone meal, wheat, corn, soy, BHA, BHT, propylene glyc, phosphoric acid, azo, azo dyes, and sodium nitrate on the label.

Check with your veterinarian or even a veterinarian who is open to or practices alternative medicine to see if there is any special diet to help meet your cat’s nutritional needs.

It is better to keep your cat indoors for health and safety reasons. It’s dangerous for cats of all ages to roam freely outside, but even more dangerous for an elderly cat. They’re reflexes are slower, sense of smell isn’t as sharp, and they can’t always hear as well which makes them more vulnerable to moving cars, predators, poisons, and they can catch diseases from other animals.

Make sure your cat has comfortable bedding, even a heating pad. Keep the house temperature at a comfortable range for both you and your cat.

Respect your cat’s need for privacy – give him a place where he can enjoy nap time alone away from the kids and other pets.

As your cat ages it may be harder for him to get in and out of the litterbox due to arthritis. Kidney and digestive disorders can cause more frequent visits to the litterbox. Here is what you can do to make your kitty more comfortable: trim your cat’s hair around his bottom for cleaniness purposes, switch to litterboxes with lower walls and make sure the boxes are close enough for him to get to. Even a change in diet can make a difference.

If your cat suffers from arthritis you can work with your vet on a treatment plan. Be open to alternatives like acupressure, massage, homeopathic and herbal treatments.

Your cat may have trouble grooming himself so it is essential to frequently brush him  to keep the hair from matting.

Each day spend quality time petting and playing with your cat to let him know you still love and value him. This is a great way to bond with him and help make his remaining years more golden.