They have spent their whole life with you. As they get up in years, things will become different. You might feel sadness and nostalgia. You are reaching for the moment that you will lose your best friend, and you want to do anything to improve their last years, the prime of their life, as best as you can.
Pet care requirements for a senior cat is significantly different than a kitten or an adult young cat. They need a certain kind of diet to ensure the supply of the right blend of nutrients. Older pets may also need to be on joint support supplements which are usually a mix of chondroitin, MSM, glucosamine, and other ingredients.
Your senior pet may also behave a bit differently. They often grow to be more irritable and have they often have less tolerance for things that bother them.
All in all, your expectations and approach to pet care should change as your cat hits the senior years. This is the time to do whatever you can to reduce stress and give your pet a more comfortable environment. Here are 6 ways to make life easier and better for your senior cat.
1. Better food
You will want to ensure that the wet and dry food that they receive is the best quality: the brand’s formula and diet are nutritious, optimal ingredients slow down the body’s discomfort and range of motion, that they thrive on high energy and a strong immune system.
Besides this, quality must assure that taste and flavor are accounted for when older cats can experience severe pickiness. Purina Pro Plan Chicken and Beef Senior Cat Food is not just delicious but is a formula that is easier to chew and digest.
Senior cat food products also have vital nutrients that support overall well being and These details are not to be overlooked in older cats, because they might suffer from dental problems like worn teeth and gum disease that make it hard to eat their normal foods.
Digestive issues can also make it difficult to absorb the necessary vitamins and minerals that the animal needs, and can lead to unfortunate weight loss. Also, consider giving them satisfying treats.
2. Increased Doctor’s Visits
From allergies to illness to annual checkups, all household pets are required to visit their local veterinarian. As your cat gets up in years, they might need more visits to their doctor for medications that relieve discomfort, therapies for their muscles, and bone loss.
You might need more advice about their aging process, adjusting your house to make it easier for them, medical support, or hospice care options.
3. More Knowledge
Besides advice and notes from the veterinarian, you must learn about what is or might happen during your cat’s aging process, such as neurological, physical, emotional, and social behavioral changes.
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) teaches that a cat’s cognitive decline can affect 55% of those aged 11-15 years and more than 80% of those aged 16-20 years old. This will affect their sight, memory, normal activity, and disorientation of where their food, water, toys, and litter box are located.
Unfortunately, this will influence increased fear, anxiety, and aggression, as well as sadly affect their relationship with you.
4. More Attention
This means that your cat might necessitate the end of life care. This can mean more special care at home, including movement from room to room due their painful or worn down mobility, baths when they can’t properly groom themselves, combing when their fur gets matted and tangled, and how to assist with sleeplessness such as more playing to tire them out at night or more comfortable bedding.
Toys and treats will show appreciation, and constant pets and embraces will demonstrate how they matter to you.
5. More Freedom
Cats are anyways much more independent than other pets. They often prefer to move around at their own pace and they sure as heck love their alone time.
During their senior years, giving your pet cat a bit more space is essential. Allow them to go outside more or to take more cat naps. Give them more opportunities to make their own choices. Make sure to not be upset if they go to the bathroom inside or make a mistake that they usually wouldn’t do.
Senior cats also might show more aggressive behavior because they are up in years or because of the alien pain that they are experiencing. With more independence and freedom comes more happiness.
6. Get Yourself Ready
Know that the end of your beloved cat’s life will be an upsetting and difficult time. For your preparation and mental health, you will need to consider several things before your senior cat gets to that age or shows external indicators that their body is breaking down. How much will you pay for medication since pets don’t have health insurance?
When they get that point of suffering and distress, will you choose to put them down or put them on dialysis? When you experience fear, emotional pain, or mourning, put a plan in place with how you will choose to deal with it. A positive approach is to try and find a great pet clinic to take of your pet during senior years.
A good vet, as well as supportive staff members, can help you take the right steps when the time arrives. Being connected with a reputed pet clinic might also help in detect, prevent or control serious ailments that can turn out to be life-threatening.
In conclusion, the above useful techniques give you the ways to treat your senior cat as the King or Queen that they are and know in the prime years of their lives, and how you will consider the welfare of your cat. Know that your memories of them will never die, even when they do. Make these the best years of their life, and just make sure that they are happy.
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