Senior cat care tips

Cat kids need love no matter their age. While senior cats may not star in as many YouTube videos as kittens, their laidback dispositions deserve a spotlight of their own. But when is a cat considered a senior? And what should pet parents consider when adopting an older cat? Read on to learn more about caring for senior cat kids.

Senior pet health

Previously considered senior pets at the age of seven, cats are living longer — and a lot of that has to do with preventative care. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, cat kids are now considered senior cats around 11 years old. And the association is working hard to promote senior pet health and awareness, celebrating Senior Pet Health Month every November.

Here’s how you can keep your older cat healthy all year long: 

• Schedule regular checkups and annual blood panels to detect and get ahead of any health issues that can increase with age.
• Ask your vet about preventative supplements like vitamins, flea and tick medications, and heartworm prevention pills.
• Feed them balanced portions of nutrient-rich, low-calorie cat food. If they like human food, you can treat them occasionally to healthy snacks like steamed broccoli, blueberries, or an apple slice.
• Make sure they get a good balance of rest, play, and bonding time with family members (both two-legged and four-legged).
• Keep an eye on their behaviors and watch for any changes. Is your senior cat losing weight? Is your older cat becoming irritable or restless? Make an appointment with the vet to address the issues and come up with a health plan. 

ADOPTING AN OLDER CAT

Cat adoption research by Priceonomics shows senior cats are nearly 30% less likely to be adopted than their kitten counterparts. But just like adopting younger cats, there are perks to making a senior cat a part of your family. If you’re thinking about senior cat adoption or plan on visiting an animal shelter or rescue, consider these benefits:

• Older cats tend to be more mellow, meaning you probably won’t be awakened at 3 a.m. to cat zoomies around the house.
• Their personalities are more established, so it’s easier to select a senior cat kid that will fit in with your lifestyle.
• Since they’re mature, they’re more likely to be housetrained and less likely to be destructive to furniture, shoes, or their animal siblings. 
• With the proper preventative care, cats can live into their late teens or even 20s, so you can still spend quality years with your new senior pet.
• Adopting a cat can boost your health. Their purrs can even calm your nervous system, and that reduced stress can lead to lower blood pressure and a decreased risk of heart disease. 

caring for senior cats

Have a senior cat in your home — or just adopted one? Here are a few things you can do to make sure they get the relaxation, mental stimulation, and access they need:

• Switch to raised food and water bowls if your older cat kid deals with arthritis or neck stiffness.
• Keep a predictable routine to reduce stress and anxiety.
• Set aside time for play with interactive toys or puzzles so your senior cat stays physically and mentally active.
• Fill your senior cat litter box with Herbal Attraction^®. This non-toxic cat litter formula contains a calming blend of natural herbs that help draw cats of all stages, including senior cats, to the litter box. 

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