Do you have a senior cat? Perhaps you took in a stray or adopted a cat many years ago, and now that boisterous, mischievous kitten has become an older, more sedate feline. If so, you are not alone in learning about how to care for a senior cat. Here at Sleep Easy, we have firsthand knowledge of this part of pet care. Thanks to our cat, Marley. Allow us to share.
In 1992, a small black kitten began spending time in our yard, where she begged for food. We discouraged our children from feeding her, as we did not wish to have another pet. However, after some days, we relented and our daughter Angela brought her in. However, upon taking the kitten, now named Marley, to the vet we also found that little Marley was soon to be a mom!
Angela prevailed on Marley’s behalf and agreed to keep Marley and her babies—with Angela’s promise to find homes for each of the kittens. When the kittens were born, she had homes for two of them. And, as Angela had recently moved to her own place, she opted to keep the other two. However, Angela was soon married, and it eventually became necessary for her to bring the cats back home as her husband and the cats were not a good combination.
So, back to our home, came Marley and her kittens. And, although welcomed by us, Marley and her family were not so well received by our other feline residents. So, she and her kittens, Gissy and Crybaby, spent the next 16 years spending the majority of their time in a separate area of our home.
By 2009, Marley had outlived all of her kittens. When her last kitten died, we were able to move her into the main area of the house and set her up in our bedroom, where our other cats sleep. Marley eventually claimed a spot on our king-sized bed as her new space.
Today, Marley is 21 years old (that makes her 100 years old in cat years!) and she no longer romps and plays as she did in her youth. Rather, her days are spent sunning herself as she rests on the screened-in porch and uses steps to climb onto the mattress. Her health concerns –difficulty in walking, hyper thyroid, low appetite, difficulty with staying hydrated – mean that she is on a variety of medication, just to go through each day. But our Marley is a trooper! She was a wonderful mother and continues to be a blessing that leaves us marveling over her strength and grace.
If you have an aging cat, then you may have questions and concerns about how to add comfort and ease to your cat’s life. If so, then here are six actions you can take to help your senior cat.
1. Pay attention when playing with your cat. Note any lumps or bumps under their coat, check their teeth or gums for any damage or discoloring and look in their ears for any abnormalities.
2. Spend time each day brushing and combing their coat as this removes any loose hair and reduces hairballs. The brushing also stimulates blood circulation and sebaceous gland secretions, which give your cat healthier skin.
3. Check their toenails to see if they need trimming. As kittens, they will use a scratching post, but older cats do not always do this as often, so their nails can become too long.
4. Note your cat’s eating habits. Often, cats become obese with age; other times, cats may lose their appetite. Each of these issues is often rooted in other health concerns, which can usually be treated with medication, supplements or diet. If you note that your cat is either gaining or losing weight, talk to their vet and learn what can be done.
5. Exercise is just as important for your cat as it is for you! Frequent exercise will promote muscle tone, increase blood circulation and reduce weight gain.
6. Environment also plays a part. Consider relocating, or even replacing, litter boxes, food bowls, toys, bedding, etc.so that they are more easily reached by your cat. Kenneling should also be avoided as older cats are more set in their ways and being away from their normal environment can cause undue stress.
Help your senior cat enjoy his or her later years by taking these proactive measures. Like Marley your cat has long been a family friend and you want to do all you can to add life to their years. If you have any questions about pet care, whether for your aging cat or your playful pups and kittens, don’t hesitate to ask Sleep Easy. We’re here to help.
