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Avoiding Elderly Cat Health ProblemsMany elderly cat health problems can be prevented with proper care and nutrition, and your love.When your cat reaches its tenth year you may notice that she has slowed down and is showing a few signs of growing old. Your kitty is not as playful as she once was, she is more sedentary, sleeps less deeply but more frequently, and makes less of an effort of grooming herself than she used to. Not all cats age at their tenth year of course, a lot will depend upon your cat's genetic background, the diet that she has been used to and the quality of care that she has enjoyed. Cats are living longer, that's official!, far better for both you and your cat if she can enjoy a longer life without too many elderly cat health problems.
Exercise and the senior cat. As your cat ages she may hang around the house more than she used to and become less active. Senior cats need a little exercise however, to maintain their muscles and keep them supple, to help with mental stimulation, and help to bolster blood circulation. Exercise also helps with keeping your cat's weight under control.
Gently playing with your cat on a regular basis will help in preventing many elderly cat health problems. Play should be moderate, not to the point that your cat is tired out. Elderly cat diet. An older cat, being less active than she once was, may require fewer calories. Your elderly cat may benefit from specially formulated senior cat foods. Some older cats may benefit from extra roughage due to their bowels not working as effectively. Your veterinarian will prove invaluable in helping to decide upon the correct diet for your maturing cat. A cat that once enjoyed a heavy meal once a day will now only sample her food at intervals. If possible, offer your pet a much smaller meal four times a day. This will prevent food left in the bowl drying out and becoming stale and unappetizing. Ensure your cat has a quiet, calm place to enjoy her meals Elderly cats have a reduced sense of smell and taste, and often find moist foods that have been warmed to just under body temperature, to be more agreeable. Elderly cat health checks to prevent problems. Regular health examinations by a vet are a good idea for a pet of any age. The older your cat is the more important veterinarian health check-ups are for finding early symptoms of problems. In addition, you can make your routine grooming, or petting sessions, with your cat an opportunity to check for anything amiss. Check for lumps, and other skin abnormalities, examine her ears and eyes. Particularly check her teeth and gums, dental problems are common in elderly cats and can cause serious pain and prevent your cat from feeding sufficiently. Examine her coat for any indication of fleas or other parasites.
Don't forget to check her nails. An older, less active, cat will be less inclined to use her scratching post. Don't let your pet's nails grow too long and cause her problems. Changes in the behavior of older cats. You should be alert to any change in the behavior of your feline friend. A cat that was timid as a kitten and younger cat, may become noticeably more aggressive with age due to pain. Movement may have become difficult due to arthritis resulting from wear of the joints, which can be very agonizing during cold and damp weather. Elderly cats may be more intolerant of changes in your home because the capability of dealing with new situations decreases with age. Increased use of the litter tray may signal elderly cat health problems. Kidney failure, or diabetes mellitus often increases the amount of urine produced, and because of the odor your cat may find other places for her relief. A cat with arthritis may have difficulty climbing into her litter tray, especially if it is high sided. An older cat may take a little longer to urinate, but if she takes excessively long it may be wise to take her to the vet. © Copyright www.best-cat-art.com - elderly cat health problems Every cat owner should concern themselves with cat health issues. Knowing your cat, and studying about the nature of a cat's body can help in signaling a cat health problem to you. A pet health insurance policy may give you the assurance that you may be able to get your cat whatever veterinary treatment is necessary, and you may consider it worth whatever the premium will cost you.
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