Oldies but Goldies: Caring for Senior Cats
Keeping felines happy and healthy as they age
As the proud cat parent to not one but four senior cats, I’ve spent countless hours trawling the internet for expert advice, new products, and ideas for keeping my brood in tip top shape well into their golden years.
For cats, the transition from adult to senior is a subtle, yet critical milestone. After the age of ten, like me, senior cat parents need to stay on guard for any micro-changes in their pets’ behaviors. There are also some simple strategies for making sure your cat’s retirement is a happy and healthy one. Here are my top tips based on my research and experience.
Don’t skip visits to the vet
According to the experts, senior cats are most at risk of developing a number of conditions:
- Cancer
- Kidney failure
- Arthritis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Dental disease
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
Try your best to watch out for any sudden changes in behavior (fatigue, loss of appetite, not grooming, for example), but be warned, cats are masters of disguising pain or weakness.
