How to Care for an Elderly Cat

Just like elderly humans, elderly cats need special care and accommodations. With proper feline care, cats can reach ages in their late teens and even into their early 20's! But in order for a feline friend to reach a ripe old age, the owner of an aging cat should make changes in the elderly cat's diet, lifestyle, and in the frequency of veterinary care, among other things, to keep the elderly cat healthy and happy.

These tips will guide cat owners toward a longer life for their feline companions:

Cat Care Tip #1: Keep Elderly Cats Indoors

Indoors is the safest place for a cat of any age, especially an elderly cat. Just like an elderly human, an elderly cat is not going to slow down as he ages, making the cat more prone to injury from other animals, cars and other outdoor hazards.

In addition, indoor cats tend to live longer by several years, since the cat's body is not exposed to the stresses of the great outdoors (i.e. heat, cold, fearful situations,etc.) Stress that can be associated with spending time outdoors taxes the cat's immune system, making him more prone to illness.

Cat Care Tip #2: Feed a Healthy, Natural Cat Food

Natural, healthy cat foods contain human-quality ingredients that promote a healthy immune system and good health. Many less expensive, lower quality cat foods contain artificial coloring, preservatives and "junk" meat - the portions of meat that are deemed unfit for human consumption. These less expensive foods make the cat's body work harder to properly digest the meal, and the cat must eat more to get the necessary nutrients. Feeding a premium, natural cat food will promote a cat's longevity and health. Another benefit? It's also less expensive to feed a premium food in the longterm, as the cat experiences fewer health problems and the cat needs to eat less in order to consume essential nutrients.

Cat Care Tip #3: Visit the Veterinarian Regularly

An elderly cat should visit the veterinarian for a wellness check and exam every three to six months, depending on the elderly cat's age and general health condition. Older cats should have a urinalysis and blood work performed on a regular basis to monitor the major organ systems for any signs of a problem, like kidney failure - a very common chronic and acute condition in aging cats.

Another vital part of caring for an older cat involves monitoring the cat for signs of illness. Owners of an elderly cat should also weigh their cat regularly, as weight loss is one of the first signs of illness. A prompt visit to the veterinarian when any sign of illness arises is the most effective way to keep an older cat healty, as the young and old tend to be more sensitive to illnesses.

When a cat does approach the end of his life, pallative care and cat home hospice care can be vital to keeping a cat comfortable in those final weeks. Pet owners should always communicate with their veterinarian concerning their options in order to provide the best care for the elderly cat, whether it's routine health care, pallative hospice care or other options, like euthansia.

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