Caring For The Older Cat

I've learned many important lessons over the years from my cats. Cats know how to relax and enjoy the moment. They are not pressured by paying the mortgage, keeping up with the tabby down the street or staying up with fashion. They don't get their fur all riled up over trivial matters. They save the hissing and spitting for the really big issues of life.

Their seemingly easy going nature can be to their detriment, especially for senior felines. When a cat is ill, they frequently curl up into a ball and go to sleep. When a cat feels good, they frequently curl into a ball and go to sleep. So how is an owner supposed to interpret a cat's behavior?

The best way to safe guard the health of your aging furry friend is to establish a good working relationship with your veterinarian soon after bringing your cat home. Routine medical visits will allow your veterinarian to know the idiosyncrasies that characterize your cat. Maybe your cat's body temperature is always slightly elevated after the excitement of the car ride to the office. Perhaps your feline is fascinated by water and laps it up like a camel after crossing the desert. If your veterinarian only sees your pet when it is ill, he or she is robbed of the opportunity of establishing a health maintenance program with you.

Aging is not a disease. It is a process that sneaks up on us and our cats day by day. The progression however often takes us by surprise. Suddenly it seems as though your cat has lost a tremendous amount of weight, or can no longer jump onto the bed with ease. Your cat seemed perfectly normal yesterday but now you are told that it is critically ill. How can you prevent this from happening?

Insuring that your cat ages successfully involves several factors. Twice yearly health consultations with your veterinarian, proper nutrition, good grooming, weight management, mental and physical stimulation, vaccine protocols that reflect your pet's risk factors and adjustments in the home environment are all essential.

Again, it's imperative that you work with your veterinarian as a team. You know your cat better than anyone else. Keep a pet health diary. Jot down changes in appetite, behavior, water intake, changes in bowel habits. Basically anything that just doesn't seem right. Don't doubt your intuition. Your observations along with the examination by your veterinarian can signal impending medical issues such as kidney failure, the second most common cause of death in senior cats, right after cancer.

My cats have shown me that each day is special. They have shown me how to find pleasure in watching dust in a sun beam or taking a moment to sit quietly with my cat in my lap and enjoy the passing of a few minutes of my life. Is your senior cat getting the most out of its life? Just ask your veterinarian.