What to do when your cat gets older
Keeping her brain active
What she needs is mental stimulation, and if she receives it constantly, she can remain alert and lively for majority of her life.
You cat was born to hunt, and is one of nature’s supreme ambush predators. From kitten hood, if left with her mother, she is trained for the hunt. Her play with other cats, or with you, has only one goal – to ready her to slay her prey. Her reflexes are sharp, her eyesight acute, and her concentrate is tip top. Hunting is something that can definitely keep your cat fit.
Make an effort to play with your cat and the reward will be astonishing. When she is 15 or 16, she may not be able to leap as well as she did in the past, but you can play less physically demanding games with her. A ball rolled across the floor will grab her attention just as well as a feather toy. The key is to keep her active. This will not only improve her coordination but also her general level of fitness.
Nutritional needs
As your cat grows older, there is a high chance she will start gaining weight, so be sure not to overfeed her. Special senior diets have reduced calories to take account of the lower activity level of older cats. Being overweight can also worsen other underlying health problems, such as arthritis and diabetes mellitus.
However, the day will come when your cat seems stiff on walking. Years of running, leaping and jumping powered by her hind legs will finally begin to take their toll. Even then, do not stop playing games with her. Light games will still help her to stay fit and aid coordination and staying mentally alert. All you need to do is to adjust her routines so that games are not too tedious.
Grooming needs
As her stiffness progressively worsens, your cat will find it harder to groom herself, and contortions and stretches she used to perform will become difficult. But cats are fastidious. They hate being dirty or unkempt.
Groom your cat frequently and with as much care as she would groom herself. Some cats enjoy being gently massaged, and for rheumatic seniors it can bring pain relief.
Anticipating her needs
As jumping becomes more difficult for your cat and her eyesight becomes less acute, she may be reluctant to leap onto her favourite chair or your welcoming lap. If she stares and meows loudly to attract your attention when you sit down, lift and place her on your lap and out her down when she asks. For her comfort, get her a bean bag or comfy cushion. Put this in a place that catches the sun. Your cat may be drawn to this warm and safe haven.
Your relationship with your cat develops and changes throughout her life. As she gets older, she will become more dependent on you, but in her heart she is still her true self. In her dreams she might still be chasing mice and birds, and she still loves you, the person who has nurtured her from kitten hood to seniority. And all she asks is that you love her in return.