When you are caring for an elderly cat, in some ways you have to handle him or her with kid gloves. The body of an older cat isn't as agile, flexible, and responsive as it was in past years. Yet, it is common for elderly cats to be in good health even in old age. The average lifespan of a house cat is about 17 years, but some cats have been known to live well past 20. The oldest cat on record lived to be 34 years old, which is equivalent to about 152 human years. Feeding your cat with nutritious food, love, and tender loving care will have an immensely positive effect on his or her quality of life in later years.

 

Provide a Comfortable Atmosphere for Your Elderly Cat

 

When your cat has reached a  ripe old age , you should provide him with a quiet, calm place to live and a comfortable place to sleep. A home that is full of stress and strife is not a good environment for your older cat.

 

If you have a consistent distraction or annoyance in your home, such as a teenager who plays the drums or the loud noises of construction workers doing remodeling work nearby, set up a special room on the other side of your house for your cat. It will be like a sanctuary where your aging feline companion can retreat whenever he is scared, tired, or annoyed.

 

If you don't have one already, buy your elderly cat a comfy cat bed. Place the bed in his "sanctuary" and don't allow any of the other cats to sleep in the bed if at all possible. This will help to give your cat a sense of security in his position on the cat pecking order (we'll touch on this and other similar issues later). Don't give your cat a hard time if he wants to snooze on the couch for a while.

 

Medical Concerns

 

When your cat reaches a certain age, it's a good idea to increase the frequency of vet checkups. Instead of once a year, take your cat in twice a year. This will allow you to head off any potential issues. Some medical concerns for elderly cats include dehydration, memory loss, kidney issues, diabetes, and other conditions that are commonly found in older humans as well.

 

 

Start looking into  pet insurance plans , if you haven't done so already. The premium costs increase for older cats, but the peace of mind of knowing that you can take your cat to the vet and she is covered for most medical expenses is worth the money.

 

Some older cats may also have anxiety issues, especially when a new, younger cat is introduced to the household. There is a constant power struggle that exists between certain cats when they live in one common environment. If your oldest cat is at the top of the pecking order, she could feel the pressure to maintain her position as new cats are brought into the home. So just keep an eye on the dynamics of the cats in your house and go out of your way to make your elderly cat feel like she is still number one.

 

A stressed and anxious cat is more likely to become depressed and pull away from the family. The stress could take a toll on the cat's overall health over time.

 

Food and Nutrition

 

When you are caring for an elderly cat, it's best to feed her foods that are formulated especially for "senior" cats. Senior foods are usually made with less protein to prevent certain health issues and less calories to keep the older cat from gaining too much weight. Always feed your cat premium or all natural foods that contain all of the nutrients that she needs to continue to feel healthy, strong, and young. Aging cats (and cats in general) need foods with sufficient Vitamin E, Vitamin C (both antioxidants to fight disease), Vitamin B, and omega fatty acids.

 

You may start to see that your cat gets more finicky as she gets older. This might be because her sense of smell is not as strong as it used to be. Add tuna, which has a very strong smell, to the food bowl to keep your cat interested in her food.

Also, consider adding vitamin supplements to your elderly cat's diet. Cat vitamins either come in a liquid form that can be mixed in with food or a solid form that can be paired with a soft treat.

 

Dental Maintenance

 

Many veterinarians say that dental issues are a top problem in older cats. Gum disease can form around the gums of the cat and cause tooth loss. Dental problems can also spread to other areas of the body as well, so don't neglect your cat's teeth.

 

Most dental problems are headed off in the cat's youth, but you can still take measures to improve the quality of a senior cat's teeth. Brush your kitty's teeth regularly and feed her crunchy vet recommended foods that have taurine and tartar control ingredients. Buy dental care chews and treats that are made for senior cats.

 

Grooming and Litter Box Issues

 

Caring for an elderly cat may also require that you spend more time grooming your cat, because sometimes he just might not up to doing it himself. If your cat's hair starts to get matted down and dull, give him a short bath with a cat shampoo that will renew the coat and make it shiny once more. (Your kitty probably won't appreciate your efforts to keep him clean very much, until he's fully dry again!) Spend some time brushing your cat to remove excess hair—most cats like the attention and bonding time.

 

One last note. If you find that your elderly cat is shunning the  litter box , there is most likely a very good reason why. As explained above, sometimes younger cats can use the litter box as a way of gaining control over the house. Check to see if the others are stalking your older cat when he goes to the bathroom, or blocking his entrance into the litter box before you look into other potential causes for an older cat who suddenly starts to do his "business" on the floor. The problem could also be that the litter box is too high for the older cat to step into.

 

 

As you can see, taking care of a senior cat is not easy and breezy by any means, but when you love and cherish your pet friend you'll do whatever you have to do to keep him content and healthy.