If we’re lucky, we will all experience getting old one day. We can either do that gracefully or we can wish for multiple lives or even immortality, to our mental detriment. Whilst a senior cat does not know the concept of having nine lives, we can support them to age gracefully.
The Myth of 9 Lives
If you live with a senior cat, you might sometimes wonder about their 9 lives. Where does this myth even come from?
Some say it started with the Ancient Egyptians who revered cats like gods.
As this article on cats and their nine lives explains, the Egyptian sun god, Atum-Ra was the father of 4 gods and grandfather of another 4. Atum-Ra was also a cat god and embodied all 8 gods and himself in one.
Others say that people have been mystified for centuries at cats’ ability to land on their feet despite falling from great heights.
Yes, cats are resilient and hardy but as anyone who is currently caring for a senior cat will know, age catches up with all of us at some point.
So, what can you expect when living with a senior cat:
- They are around 11 years old or more – as this PetMD article on how long cats live explains, cats live longer these days thanks to better nutrition and lifestyle. Previously a cat was senior at the age of 8 but now they tend to be 11.
- Decreased activity levels – we all run and jump less as we get older but a senior cat might also play less and sleep more. These changes are so gradual that you might not see them straight away though.
- Need extra care – this might sound obvious because of course, health issues usually come with age. Nevertheless, cats often also need help with grooming themselves either because they don’t have the energy anymore or they’re not as flexible to reach everywhere.
Tips for Caring for Senior Cats
The hardest part of caring for a senior cat is that we can never truly know what their experience feels like. And neither can they explain it to us.
If you’ve lived with your senior cat for the majority of their lives, you have the advantage that you know them. You’ll be able to spot the subtle changes in behaviour that alert you to something being wrong.
If you’ve recently adopted them from a shelter to give them their retirement home, you’ll need to pay close attention to their body language and cat language. We can’t always get everything right but as long as you are patient, creative and compassionate, you can’t go too wrong.
1- Daily enrichment
Both younger and older cats need to keep their minds active and stimulated. Just like it’s good for us to do puzzle games to keep away dementia, so cats benefit from mental stimulation.
Food puzzles and easy to access toys and games can make a huge difference to a senior cat’s day.
For those with arthritis, you might consider adding ramps and small steps to help them move around vertically. Cardboard boxes can also be a great source of entertainment and they might also keep you creative and playful.
2- 6 monthly vet visits
It’s easy to stick to the habit of yearly vet visits and many still recommend that. Nevertheless, if you want to catch issues early you need at least 6 monthly visits.
It’s much easier to manage diseases for older cats at the early stage and it’s also much better for your wallet.
As this clinic recommends, 6 monthly visits are also a good opportunity to do a urinalysis and blood test, especially for kidney disease and diabetes which are common. You can then also better support your cat with the right food.
3- Review their diet
It’s important to follow a senior cat diet that supports whatever ails your cat. Prescription foods, for example Hill’s or Royal Canin, go through rigorous testing to support the various issues cats can have. These range from joint mobility issues to kidney and diabetes.
Some older cats also need frequent feeding in small amounts partly because they lose some of their sense of taste and smell. As such they lose interest in their food.
Cats can also suffer from pancreatitis which can be a tough disease to manage. Again, small but frequent feeds can help avoid over-loading the pancreas.
4- Watch for changes in behaviour and habits
Living with a senior cat means looking out for any changes. They might sleep more or become forgetful and perhaps even aggressive.
Whilst all those signs could just be ageing, they can also signal something else happening internally and a vet visit is always recommended to rule anything out.
Another common sign is that your cat drinks more water. Whilst this might sound like a good thing, it could actually be a sign that the kidneys are failing. Again, a vet visit is key.
5- Provide routine and comfort
Whether you’re adopting old cats or young ones, they all need structure and reassurance. Make sure they have their safe spot where they have cushions and blankets available for them.
Moreover, older cats might need to be closer to you. Ageing can be confusing especially if they’re losing some of their senses so making them more anxious. Simply be there for them.
6- Support with grooming
If you’re adopting old cats, you might already know that they need help with grooming. Essentially, they need you to reach those distant spots and to brush out loose hair.
Moreover, a senior cat with arthritis just won’t be able to keep their hair from matting. Again, you can make sure they stay clean and healthy.
Parting Words on Supporting Your Senior Cat’s Best Life
Living with a senior cat is both an honour and a responsibility. To support someone in the final stage of their life is a wonderful gift.
Nevertheless, make sure you talk to your vet about the right senior cat diet you should buy. And don’t drop those 6 monthly visits if you want to stay ahead of disease management.
Your cat will thank you for it and you’ll know you’ve done the best you can for this other soul whose life you’ve shared.
