As cats get older, they may experience several health changes. These can be caused by age or other factors, so it’s important to monitor them closely and work with your veterinarian if necessary. Here are some tips and best advice for keeping your older cat happy and healthy:
1. Don’t forget vet check-ups
One of the most important things you can do is to make sure your cat gets regular checkups with his vet. This will help ensure that he’s getting all of the shots and tests he needs and any other medical care required by his age. If a behavior change is detected, it may be time for an appointment with your vet. Below are some changes to watch out for as your cat gets older:
- Vomiting or not eating
- Becoming lethargic or unable to get up without assistance
- Difficulty breathing
2. Check for parasites
- Check for parasites. Parasites can cause illness in older cats, often picked up from the environment or transmitted to humans. Check your cat’s ears, paws, and skin for signs of an infestation. Look for redness or swelling around the eyes or nose and scabs on their bodies. Hair loss on a specific area (like one side of their tail), lumpy patches that don’t get better with treatment, and scratching at his gums when he yawns.
- Treat parasites with medication: There are many types of medications available for treating parasites: some are topical creams that need to be applied directly onto affected areas every day (like flea collars), while others contain antifungal agents that need only be taken once per month (such as heartworm pills).
3. Check for intestinal issues
- Check for diarrhea and vomiting. If your cat is throwing up or having diarrhea, it could be an indication that something is not right with her digestive system. In this case, you should take her to a vet as soon as possible.
- Check weight loss. Older cats often lose weight because they don’t eat much anymore (and cats usually don’t like sharing their food with others). Keep an eye on how much he eats each day; if he seems thinner than usual, speak to your veterinarian about what could be causing the problem—if nothing obvious stands out, there may be some underlying medical condition causing the change in appetite or activity level that needs addressing professionally.
To help keep your senior cat stay at a healthy weight, Balanced Breed all-natural multivitamins will be a great asset to their diet. Additionally, Balanced Breed helps with joint pain, digestion issues, immune system problems, and more, making it the leading cat vitamin on the market.
4. Ensure your cat is well-hydrated
Cats need a lot of water and can become dehydrated quickly. To prevent dehydration, ensure they have access to clean water at all times. If you’re unsure whether or not your cat has access to enough water, look out for signs like loss of appetite and lethargy.
5. Make dental care a priority
Your cat’s teeth reflect the quality of the food they eat, so it’s important to feed them high-quality food.
Dental problems can be serious in cats and may lead to infections or abscesses. Regular brushing will help prevent these problems, but it also helps remove plaque buildup that causes gingivitis ( inflammation of the gums) and periodontal disease (infection around your cat’s teeth).
If you have more than one pet, make sure each has its own brush, so you don’t mix up their brushes between pets!
6. Monitor changes in urine and stool.
Monitor your cat’s urine and stool changes by examining the following:
- Change in color or consistency
- Changes in frequency
- Smell, volume, and location of deposits
Changes in appearance include: quantity (number of times per day) compared to normal for that cat; if it’s fewer than usual, this could be an indicator of disease.
7. Watch for skin lumps or bumps
If you suspect your cat has a skin lump or bump, it’s important to check for any other symptoms. You may notice your pet scratching at its skin and looking for attention. Your cat could also have trouble walking or sitting normally, as well as difficulty moving around their house or yard.
If you find a lump on your cat’s body, contact their veterinarian immediately so that they can examine them properly and determine the best course of action to take in treating this condition. If left untreated, a mass could become infected with bacteria like Staphylococcus Aureus (Staph), which can cause serious illness in humans if contracted through direct contact with an infected area on an animal’s body, such as its paws.
8. Pay attention to your cat’s weight
Cats are extremely unpredictable pets, and it can be difficult to gauge their weight. One day your cat might eat less than usual, and the next day, it will scarf down everything in sight. This can be disconcerting if you aren’t careful—you may think that your cat is overweight when really it’s just a case of him feeling hungry (or vice versa). To prevent this from happening, weigh him once per month using an accurate scale.
If his body mass index (BMI) is over 20 pounds per inch squared (lbs/in^2), consider reducing his daily caloric intake by 50 percent; if it’s under 20 lbs /in^2 calories burned daily based on his activity level; increase them by 200%.
9. Be aware of mobility issues.
Cats’ joints can start to ache as they age, and some cats develop arthritis. If your cat is having trouble getting around, you should see a vet for an evaluation. There are treatments available for arthritis—and it’s important that these problems are diagnosed early on so that they can be treated effectively before they become more serious.
You should look for a supplement that contains vitamins and minerals like calcium and magnesium, as well as probiotics. These are good additions to most canned foods or dry diets since these ingredients help keep your cat’s digestive system healthy by reducing inflammation in its GI tract (gastrointestinal tract).
Senior cats have particular needs
- Seniors may need more calories than kittens, as their metabolism slows down and they’re less active. Make sure you provide your cat with a healthy diet of canned food or dry kibble (not raw), which is lower in fat and higher in protein compared to other types of food. If you feed your cat dry food exclusively, consider adding some wet treats such as yogurt or canned salmon to help keep him satisfied while he’s eating his normal mealtime bowl of kibble at night time.
- Your older cat could be suffering from a sensitive stomach if he doesn’t like certain types of food or if he gets diarrhea after eating something new on occasion. Try introducing new brands into his daily diet gradually so that there aren’t any unpleasant side effects for either one of you! Also note: If any signs indicate health problems related directly back to gastrointestinal system issues, then consult your vet immediately so they can get started assessing exactly what might be causing the issues.
10. Consider giving your senior cat a daily supplement.
Your senior cat needs more than just a good bowl of food. Supplements such as the brand Balanced Breed give them the nutrients they need that their food may not have enough of. Balanced Breed is the #1 all-natural cat vitamin that will help transform your senior cat’s health. They have all the right nutrients, such as Lysine, Krill Oil, and B12, to help your senior cat feel their best as they continue to age. Head over to their website to receive 20% off your first order and learn more about why thousands of senior cat parents love giving their cats this multivitamin.