As your cat gets older their needs change that playful kitten who used to sprint across the house at 3 am one day they’ll slow down sleep more and start showing signs of aging but here’s the thing just because your cat is getting older doesn’t mean they have to suffer from health issues with the right care many cats can live long healthy and happy lives well into their twenties so how do you keep your senior cat in top shape in this video we’ll break down the best ways to keep your cat healthy.
As its ages from diet and exercise to vet care and small lifestyle changes that make a huge difference stick around because the last tip is one that most cat owners completely overlook but it can add years to your cat’s life let’s start.
With the most important foundation diet 1 adjust their diet for aging needs one of the biggest mistakes people make is feeding their senior cat the same food they ate as a kitten or young adult but as cats age their nutritional needs change here’s what to look for in senior cat food more protein older cats lose muscle mass more easily so high quality animal protein is a must lower calories senior cats tend to be less active so too many calories can lead to obesity joint supporting nutrients ingredients like glucosamine and Omega 3 seconds help with arthritis easier to digest some older cats develop sensitive stomachs so grain free or limited ingredient foods may help.
And don’t forget hydration many senior cats don’t drink enough water which can lead to kidney problems switching to wet food or adding water to their kibble can keep them hydrated but food alone isn’t enough your senior cat also needs to stay active 2 keep them moving exercise for senior cats just because your cat is older doesn’t mean they should stop playing in fact regular movement is essential to keep their joints muscles and metabolism working properly but as cats age their play style changes here’s how to adapt their activities low impact play instead of high jumps use toys that encourage gentle movement like feather wands or rolling balls shorter play sessions older cats tire more easily so aim for multiple 5 minute sessions instead of one long workout puzzle feeders these provide mental stimulation.
And keep them engaged with food encourage climbing but safely provide easy to reach perches or ramps to help them move around comfortably exercise keeps their body strong and their mind sharp which is key to preventing age related decline now let’s talk about something every senior cat needs regular vet checkups 3 schedule regular vet visits don’t skip them as cats age their risk of health issues increases kidney disease arthritis dental problems and thyroid disorders are all common in older cats but the good news is catching them early can make a huge difference here’s how often senior cats should see the vet ages 7th 10 at least once a year for a wellness check ages 10+ twice a year with blood work and urine tests to check for hidden illnesses early detection can help manage conditions before they become serious even.
If your cat seems healthy regular checkups can catch silent diseases before they show symptoms and speaking of health problems one of the biggest ones in older cats is dental disease 4 take care of their teeth did you know that most cats over the age of 3 already have some level of dental disease and in senior cats it only gets worse if left untreated dental issues in older cats can cause painful infections tooth loss difficulty eating heart and kidney disease from bacteria in the mouth entering the bloodstream how do you prevent this here’s what helps daily brushing if your cat allows it dental treats or water additives annual dental cleanings by a vet if your cat
Has bad breath drools or avoids hard food it might be time for a vet check up now let’s talk about something that affects nearly all older cats arthritis 5 help their joints stay strong prevent arthritis pain arthritis is extremely common in senior cats but it often goes unnoticed because cats hide their pain very well signs your cat might have arthritis struggling to jump on furniture walking stiffly or slowly avoiding stairs less grooming because it hurts to twist their body how to help a cat with arthritis provide soft bedding orthopedic beds help relieve pressure on their joints use ramps or steps these help them reach their favorite spots without jumping joint supplements glucosamine chondroitin and Omega 3 seconds can reduce inflammation heat pads gentle warmth can soothe sore joints just make sure it’s safe and not too hot if your cat.
Is slowing down don’t assume it’s just old age arthritis pain can be treated and finally let’s cover one of the most overlooked aspects of senior cat care mental health 6 keep their mind sharp prevent cognitive decline just like humans cats can experience cognitive decline as they age some older cats become confused anxious or even start meowing excessively at night signs of feline cognitive dysfunction FCD disorientation getting lost in familiar places increased vocalization especially at night litterbox accidents less interest in play or socializing to keep your cat’s brain active.
And prevent cognitive decline try these tips keep a consistent routine senior cats thrive on predictability provide interactive toys puzzle feeders keep their brain engaged use night lights this helps older cats with vision loss navigate at night talk to your cat verbal interaction keeps them mentally stimulated and reassured with the right care your senior cat can stay mentally sharp.
And emotionally happy well into old age 7 make their environment senior friendly as your cat ages they may struggle with things that used to be easy jumping onto their favorite perch climbing into their litter box or even navigating the house at night to help them stay comfortable here’s how you can adjust their environment provide ramps and steps if your cat loves sitting on high places but struggles to jump small ramps or steps can help them reach their favorite spots use low sided litter boxes older cats with arthritis may have trouble stepping into a high sided litter box switching to a low entry box makes it easier for them place food and water in multiple locations instead of making them walk across the house keep food.
And water bowls in easy to reach spots keep their space warm senior cats love warmth heated beds cozy blankets or placing their bed near a sunny window can help soothe sore joints use nightlights older cats with vision loss may struggle in the dark a small nightlight in key areas can prevent disorientation making small changes to their environment reduces stress and makes life easier for your senior cat but another big issue for aging cats keeping their weight in check 8 prevent obesity.
Or unhealthy weight loss weight management is crucial for senior cats as they age some cats become overweight due to reduced activity while others lose weight due to health issues here’s what to watch out for if your cat is gaining weight reduce calorie intake but keep protein levels high cut back on treats and make sure they stay active with gentle play if your cat is losing weight this can be a sign of thyroid disease kidney issues or dental pain a vet visit is necessary to rule out health concerns and speaking of illnesses let’s talk about kidney disease one of the most common problems in senior cats 9 watch for signs of kidney disease kidney disease is one of the most common health issues in older cats in fact one in three cats over 10 years old develop some form of kidney disease the problem it’s a silent disease by the time symptoms appear the kidneys may already.
Be damaged early signs to watch for drinking more water than usual frequent urination weight loss despite a good appetite vomiting or bad breath due to toxin build up how to support kidney health switch to a kidney friendly diet low phosphorus high quality protein food can help increase water intake wet food water fountains and adding extra water to meals can keep them hydrated regular vet checkups blood work can catch kidney disease before symptoms become severe catching kidney issues early can significantly improve your cat’s quality of life now let’s talk about something just as important their emotional wellbeing 10 give them extra love.
And attention older cats may not be as playful as they once were but that doesn’t mean they don’t crave attention in fact some senior cats become more affectionate as they age here’s how to keep your senior cat emotionally happy stick to a routine older cats feel safest when their daily schedule is predictable talk to them many senior cats enjoy hearing your voice even if they don’t always respond offer gentle petting and brushing this not only strengthens your bond but also keeps their coat clean provide safe quiet spaces senior cats often prefer calm environments where they can rest peacefully emotional care is just as important as physical care a loved stress free cat is a happy and healthy cat.
And finally let’s go over a life changing tip that many cat owners overlook 11 monitor small changes they can be a big deal here’s something every cat owner needs to know with senior cats small changes often mean big things cats are masters at hiding illness so what seems like a small shift in behavior could actually be a sign of a bigger problem things to pay attention to are they drinking more water than usual have they stopped using the litter box correctly are they sleeping even more than before is their fur looking unkempt do they hesitate before jumping onto furniture if you notice any.
Of these changes don’t ignore them even tiny shifts in behavior could signal pain arthritis kidney issues or other health concerns catching small problems early can add years to your cat’s life so how do you keep your cat healthy as they age the key is a combination of good nutrition regular vet care exercise and making small changes to keep them comfortable to recap here’s what you can do adjust their diet to meet senior cat needs keep them moving with gentle play and easy access to their favorite spots take them to the vet regularly to catch problems early protect their joints and make their environment senior friendly watch for signs of kidney disease and other common illnesses give them extra love.
And emotional care pay attention to small changes in behavior they matter with the right care your senior cat can live a long healthy and happy life now we want to hear from you how old is your cat and have you noticed any changes in their behavior as they’ve aged let us know in the comments and if you found this video helpful don’t forget to hit like subscribe and turn on notifications for more cat related content thanks for watching and we’ll see you next time.
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