Things to Consider During the Aging Process in Cats

The needs of cats change dramatically during kittenhood, adulthood, and old age. This change is the main reason why each period has its own specific requirements. Aging cats require more specific lifestyle changes compared to kittens and adults. Dietary planning is critically important, taking into account both the age of the cat and its health status. However, simply changing the diet alone will not guarantee that all the needs of senior cats will be met. The elderly period is a time when signs of aging gradually progress in your cat, various health problems may arise, regular veterinary check-ups are needed, and the comfort of the cat must be maximized. While it can vary from cat to cat depending on diet, living conditions, and whether regular health check-ups are performed, the average lifespan of cats is known to be 13-17 years. Signs of aging begin to appear in cats that have passed their first 7 years. Although there is no absolute consensus among experts, cats aged 7-10 are considered elderly. From this point on, the things that need attention increase as the cat ages. In this article, you can find information about what is recommended to support the comfort and health of senior cats.

Senior cats are a period where signs of aging gradually progress, various health problems may arise, regular veterinary check-ups are needed, and maximizing their comfort is essential. While it can vary from cat to cat depending on nutrition, living conditions, and whether regular health check-ups are performed, the average lifespan of cats is known to be 13-17 years. Signs of aging begin to appear in cats after their first 7 years. Although there is no absolute consensus among experts, cats aged 7-10 are generally considered senior. From this point on, the things that need attention increase as the cat ages. In this article, you can find information about recommended practices to support the comfort and health of senior cats.

Signs of Aging in Cats Should Be Closely Monitored!

Aging in cats can manifest itself through various signs. Common symptoms of old age can be listed as follows:

• Weight loss or weight gain
• Reduced mobility, difficulty getting into chairs
• Decreased appetite, avoidance of eating
• Deterioration in hearing
• Poor vision, especially at night
• Dental problems and gum disease
• Sleeping more than usual
• Changes in grooming behavior
• Differences in litter box use habits
• Changes in hiding behavior increase

When elderly cats begin to show these signs, improving their quality of life and supporting their health are among the primary responsibilities of cat owners. So how can the comfort of elderly cats be increased and their health supported?

They Need a Comfortable Living Space More Than Ever

The symptoms experienced by aging cats guide the measures that should be taken to improve their quality of life. For example, if cats with high litter boxes cannot use their toilets due to pain, models with lower edge heights can be preferred. If lying on hard surfaces increases the pain of cats, their comfort can be supported with cat beds. If deep water bowls cause them difficulty while drinking water, wider water bowls that will not create whisker stress can be purchased. For cats that lie on sofas but have trouble jumping onto them, cat ramps can become an important source of comfort. One thing that cat owners should not forget is that the eyesight of elderly cats is not as good as it used to be. It is recommended not to move furniture around the house because they can no longer see as well at night. This will prevent them from bumping their bodies or heads on furniture. Routine Checkups Should Be More Frequent Senior cats who have reached the age of 7 may experience various health problems. From this point on, they should be examined by a veterinarian every 6 months. Since cats tend to hide signs of illness, more frequent veterinary visits can help diagnose diseases early. In addition to physical examinations, blood tests may be recommended during routine health checkups. This may include urine analysis, complete blood count, and measurement of thyroid hormone levels. Frequent routine health checkups help maintain the health of cats, however, close observation of their daily lives is extremely important. Be alert for symptoms of illness such as behavioral changes, changes in eating and drinking habits, excessive meowing, and increased hiding.

Routine Checkups Should Be More Frequent

Senior cats over 7 years old may experience various health problems. From this point on, they should be examined by a veterinarian every 6 months. Since cats tend to hide signs of illness, more frequent veterinary visits allow for early diagnosis of diseases. In addition to physical examinations, blood tests may be recommended during routine health checkups. This may include urinalysis, complete blood count, and measurement of thyroid hormone levels. Frequent routine health checkups help maintain the health of cats, however, close observation of their daily lives is extremely important. Be alert for disease symptoms such as behavioral changes, variations in eating and drinking habits, excessive meowing, and increased hiding.

Care Procedures Must Be Completed Carefully

Older cats may groom themselves less, may be more likely to break their claws, and may have a higher risk of hairball formation due to a slower digestive system. Therefore, the frequency of brushing should be increased, and claw length should be constantly checked. If needed, the fur can be wiped with cloths moistened with warm water during brushing. The cleaning of the fur around the rear end should not be neglected, especially for cats who cannot clean their own rear end. They may be more restless than before during brushing and grooming, and if they are experiencing pain, they may react even when brushed with the softest brush. Older cats showing unexpected reactions should be taken to a veterinarian.

Appropriate Exercise for Their Physical Health Should Not Be Neglected

If you think your cat is getting older and no longer needs interactive play, you should know the truth: Older cats also need both physical and mental stimulation. Exercise plans tailored to their health status can be created to preserve their cognitive abilities as much as possible, support their mobility, and keep their muscles working. Even if their mobility decreases compared to previous years, your feline friend can still experience the joy of kittenhood while playing with you. Toys that will capture their attention and not cause excessive exertion can contribute to improving their quality of life.

Nutrition and Diet: Needs of Senior Cats

It is known that in senior cats, the digestive system slows down, cell aging accelerates, and loss of appetite may increase. Senior cat foods formulated with ingredients that respond to age-specific needs and rich in antioxidants also meet the taste expectations of our feline friends. Senior cat foods containing a high percentage of quality protein help minimize muscle loss that may occur due to inactivity in old age. Furthermore, senior cats may gain excessive weight when consuming kitten or adult cat food, and due to excessive weight gain, they may face many chronic diseases ranging from joint problems to diabetes. Senior cat foods contain fewer calories to help maintain weight balance. Royal Canin, which meets the taste expectations of aging neutered cats while providing them with a healthy diet, contributes to the health of our feline friends over 7 years old. The protein content in Royal Canin Sterilised +7 Senior Cat Food 1.5kg is specially determined to maintain muscle mass. The vitamins, healthy fats, and antioxidants in its formula benefit overall health. The dry food, which also contains ingredients that are good for joint health, has a reduced phosphorus level and does not pose a risk to kidney health. To examine the Royal Canin Sterilised +7 Senior Cat Food 1.5kg product, which also helps maintain weight balance in older cats whose activity decreases, you can click here and enjoy a safe shopping experience with Terralora's 100% original product guarantee. Should Rabbits Be Washed? How to Clean a Rabbit?

Royal Canin, which ensures that aging neutered cats meet their taste expectations while providing them with a healthy diet, contributes to the health of our feline friends over 7 years old. The protein content in Royal Canin Sterilised +7 Senior Cat Food 1.5kg is specifically determined to maintain muscle mass. The vitamins, healthy fats, and antioxidants in its formula benefit overall health. Containing ingredients that are good for joint health, the reduced phosphorus level in this dry food does not pose a risk to kidney health. Helping to maintain weight balance in older cats with reduced activity, you can click here to examine Royal Canin Sterilised +7 Senior Cat Food 1.5kg and enjoy a safe shopping experience with Terralora's 100% original product guarantee.