As your cat ages, they will have ever-changing needs that you will have to meet in order to keep them healthy and comfortable. Today, our Pflugerville geriatric pet vets offer some advice on how to care for your senior cat allowing them to live happily into their golden years.
Caring For Your Elderly Cat
You've probably spent your entire life caring for your elderly cat. This means you should be able to detect any signs of potential health complications in their behavior. Even so, some subtle signs may be overlooked. As a result, yearly (or twice yearly as they get older) geriatric veterinary care, as well as at-home care, is critical to their long-term health.
Changes That May Affect Your Senior Cat
As your cat approaches their golden years, you will need to change your approach to veterinary care. You should think about making some changes to their diet, environment, and care, as well as keeping an eye out for changes in the cat itself.
Some of the changes that your senior cat may experience include:
- Altered Sleep Cycle
- Changes in Thyroid Function
- Decreased Kidney Function
- Vision Impairment
- Decreased Sense of Smell
- Brittle or Ingrown Nails
- Circulatory Issues
- Inability to Absorb Nutrients and Digest Properly
- More Easily Affected By Stress
- Decreased Mobility/Joint Diseases
How a Proper Diet Can Help Your Senior Cat
While feeding your cat a healthy diet throughout their life is important, it can become a crucial aspect of their health during old age.
When you feed your cat a healthy diet that is specially curated for senior cats you can help:- Manage weight
- Increase lifespan
- Maintain healthy skin, coat, and bodily functions
You can serve these senior cat foods either wet or dry. Our geriatric pet vets in Pflugerville recommend offering your senior cat wet food as well as adequate access to water as they tend to not drink enough leading to dehydration.
You can also focus on giving your cat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than larger ones to allow for easier and more complete digestion.
Your cat's cognitive abilities will deteriorate with age, which may result in your cat forgetting where their food is and overeating when they do find it. This can result in problems such as vomiting from overeating, which can lead to poor nutrient absorption.
Your geriatric pet veterinarian in Pflugerville will be able to help you determine the best food to offer your senior cat based on their needs.
The Preventive Care Needed As Cats Age
It's important to get along well with your elderly pet vet because they can guide you when something is wrong with your animal. They also are familiar with you, your pet, and the particulars of your situation as well as the particular requirements of your cat.
During your cat's visit, your veterinarian will probably conduct a routine examination and diagnostics, such as bloodwork, but they will also provide any preventive care that your cat requires. Your cat's teeth will be examined by your geriatric pet veterinarian, who will also recommend preventive dental care, any necessary vaccinations, and parasite protection to help your cat live comfortably into old age.
What To Expect From Veterinary Geriatric Care
During your senior cat's routine checkup, your geriatric pet vet in Pflugerville will focus on the following:
- Review of Habits and Behavior
- The Weight and Condition of Your Cat
- Skin and Fur Quality
- Dental Health
- Ears and Eyes
- Thyroid Gland Palpation
- Heart and Circulatory System
- Lungs and Nose Health
- Abdomen Discomfort
- Muscles and Joints
- Blood Pressure
- Bloodwork and Urinalysis
At Pfennig Lane Animal Hospital in Pflugerville, our geriatric pet veterinarians will also carry out any necessary testing for feline diseases and provide any preventive care during your cat's visit.
At-Home Care For Your Senior Cat
Keeping your cat healthy and content throughout its life requires more than just routine visits to the vet. In order to maintain their safety, health, and mental stimulation, you will also need to provide care at home.
Some of the things that you should consider when it comes to at-home senior cat care include:
- Ensuring Easy Access to Food and Beds
- Making Changes to Make Your Home More Accessible
- Keeping a Veterinary Care Routine
- Providing the Necessary Medications
- Lifestyle Accommodations
By understanding the health and lifestyle needs of your cat you can help ensure that they live comfortably well into old age.
Note: The advice provided in this post is intended for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice regarding pets. For an accurate diagnosis of your pet's condition, please make an appointment with your vet.