Will
my cat need different care as
he gets older?
Your cat is likely to prove an
extremely rewarding companion as he gets older. Cats often
become increasingly affectionate and companionable, and like to be with
you more and more. Your cat may become less playful, but not
necessarily - healthy cats often still like playing at 15 or 16.
So don't stop playing with him - he will enjoy it and he really needs
the exercise and stimulation. Click here:
Slow Mouse Cat Toy for an ideal toy he will love.
The older cat may be stiffer and have
arthritic joints so he may not be able to jump up so high. If one
of his favourite snoozing places is higher up, you may want to
provide steps or stages he can climb on to help him get up there.
Also he may not be able to get to all parts of his body to groom
himself, so do groom him regularly. If part of his coat becomes
matted, cut it off or get the vet to do it. You can find some
really helpful products here:
Cat Hair Care Products at
PetCareCentral.com!
Sometimes also
when he becomes less active his claws will grow long and will need
clipping regularly. He is likely to object strongly to this so
again you may need to seek the help of your partner, a friend or the
vet. If this is not done, his claws will curl round and pierce
the pad, which will cause infection and be very painful.
Older cats have different dietary needs - for
example they need less protein and phosphorus - so do make sure that
you give them food that is designated for senior cats. Your cat
may object at first as food for younger cats has more fat and is more
tasty, but do not give in as the extra protein and phosphorus is bad
for him and can cause kidney damage. You will need to be
specially careful if there is a young cat in the house who is on junior
food, as the older one will go for this if he can!
There are some excellent supplements that can help him:
Make sure he has regular check-ups with the vet so
that any developing problems, such as kidney disease, can be dealt with
early. Signs of kidney disease include increased thirst,
frequent urination, and lethargy.
Is it possible to help my cat live to a ripe
old age and still stay
healthy? For a really remarkable book by
someone who believes she has discovered the secret to cat health and
long life, Click
Here!
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questions, views or suggestions!
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