Taking Care of Older Cats

As a cat owner, we know one reason a cat makes a great pet is their relatively long life spans! When we adopt a kitty, they might be part of our family for fifteen or even twenty years. However, as your kitty ages, you may notice some behavioral changes. Just like some humans, older cats might sleep more, play less, get needier or more distant than before, or change their eating habits. This is completely natural! When it comes to taking care of older cats, it’s important to keep track of all their behavioral changes and keep an open line of communication with the vet to ensure your kitty is as healthy as possible. 

How to Take Care of Older Cats

A cat is typically considered a senior cat once they reach 10 or 11 years old, and at 15 years old, they are geriatric. Taking care of aging cats isn’t always easy as their needs change. Here are a few tips on how to make life a little easier for your senior or geriatric cat:

• Provide easy access to necessities. This means food, water, and their litter box. If your home is multi-level, you may consider putting access to these on every floor to make your cat’s life easier. Older cats may have arthritis or other health problems that make moving up and down floors very often too difficult.
• Provide them with a night light! While many younger kitties love low light, some older kitties begin to lose their eyesight a bit and have a hard time seeing in the dark. Keep a nightlight in areas they access frequently after the sun goes down.
• Keep their living space at a good temperature. Cats love to lounge in a warm spot. If they don’t have access to natural sunspots in their living space, consider other methods of warming their favorite spots, like a small space heater.
• Help your cat out when they’re struggling. We all need a little help sometimes, even cats. Give them a boost to their favorite windowsill or carry them downstairs if they’re having a hard time. Your care and attention is great for their mental health.
• Schedule regular vet appointments. As with humans, maintaining good health as cats get older can be more difficult than when they were young. Preventative care or treating issues as quickly as possible will help your cat stay happy and healthy as they age. 

Let the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill Treat Your Older Cat

At the Cat Clinic at Cherry Hill, we are cat experts who know the ins and outs of taking care of older cats. We treat many medical issues in geriatric cats like arthritis, diabetes, chronic illness, and more. Aging doesn’t have to be painful for your feline friend. Give them the support and love they need by giving us a call at 856-662-2662.