Senior Cats

by Jessie

According to Pet University, a cat that is well taken care of by their humans and sees the vet regularly can sometimes live up to twenty years! As you get older, you may develop special needs. Your human will need to seek out ways to make your life as comfortable as possible and be ready to treat any special health problems that may occur. Here are some examples of common health problems that can affect senior cats:

Jumping

Arthritis, in particular, can affect older cats. I am now 10 years old, and can't jump onto my favorite spot on top of the dresser any more. So my Sweetie, Day-Late, sent me this great stool for me to use to get into my favorite spot of sunlight.

Cats are great jumpers, and we make use of this ability many times during our daily activities. When a cat reaches his senior years, he will no longer be able to jump as easily. This is especially true of cats that develop arthritis. This condition is particularly common in cats that have had joint injuries in the past. Its effects range from slight stiffness to complete debilitation. If you seem to be suffering from arthritis, have your human take you to the vet. Many cats are given glucosamine to relieve the pain and swelling caused by arthritis.

Keep in mind of course, that many cats have severe reactions to medications like aspirin, so as much as it hurts your human to see you in pain, wait for a prescription from your veterinarian before giving you any medication for your pain..

Deafness

Another condition that commonly affects senior cats is deafness. Being a senior cat, I have this problem but it seems to come and go at will, my human somehow doesn't think it is related to deafness. Cats that have reached their senior years often experience a loss of hearing, some more than others. To help adjust to this change as easily as possible, your humans will have to make some changes of their own. First, have them try talking louder. You may not be completely deaf, just a little bit. You may still be able to catch some words, or at the very least, to pick up some vibrations and realize you’re human is trying to get your attention.

Also, have your human try using some hand motions. If you see a movement out of the corner of your eye, you will likely turn your head to see what it is and find your human there, attempting to get your attention.

Blindness

Just as with humans, a cat’s eyesight can start to deteriorate as he gets older. You may be bumping into things or not noticing people walking by. Basically, the only way your human can help you through this time is to be patient with you, and give you lots of love. Your human will need to keep a closer eye on you to make sure you don’t hurt yourself and make some adjustments in the house to help you get around, if necessary.

Keep in mind that cats tend to be very prideful, so your human should try to be sensitive of your feelings during this difficult time.

 

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