Just like people, many cats start to slow down as they get older. By making a few simple accommodations, you can help keep your senior cat happy, comfortable, and young at heart. By encouraging activity and stimulation, making age-appropriate accommodations, and remaining diligent about your cat’s health, you can help your feline enjoy their golden years.
EditSteps
EditEncouraging Activity and Stimulation
- Play with your cat. One of the best ways to keep your older cat young at heart is to encourage ability-appropriate play. Playtime helps keep your cat’s body and mind active.[1]
- Dangle a toy for your cat to swat at while they’re lying down.
- Drag a ribbon across the floor.
- Purchase motorized toys for your cat to chase (look for items with slower settings).
- Keep a regular routine. Cats thrive on routine. Making playtime a regular, scheduled part of your day helps to keep your cat happy and healthy, while helping them to feel calm and secure.
- Aim to spend 30 minutes playing 1-2 times per day.
- Schedule play time for before you head out for work each day.
- Schedule a second play time for when you return.
- Introduce a cat companion. Cats are very territorial, and may not be initially open to sharing their space with a new cat. Nevertheless, the introduction of a new animal can help to stimulate your cat.[2] The ideal companion will be:
- Younger (ideally a kitten)
- Smaller.
- The opposite gender.
- Fixed.
EditMaking Age-Appropriate Accommodations
- Announce your presence. Older cats can be hard of hearing or otherwise easily startled. You can prevent a nervous reaction in your cat by calling ahead into a room before you enter.[3]
- You might say, “Alfie, are you in here?”
- You might place a bell on door handles in your home.
- Make your home safe and cozy. If your cat is having trouble getting around, stop to make sure they can access everything they need. Also, providing your cat with a nice, warm place to sleep is a great way to keep them feeling good.[4]
- Provide a stool that helps your cat access a favorite sleeping spot
- Provide a cozy cat bed
- Set up a heating pad to help keep your cat warm
- Keep the temperature in your house at a comfortable level
- Make resources accessible. If your cat is experiencing mobility issues, it may be time to reevaluate your litter box (or boxes). Additionally, if your house is large or multi-leveled, it is important to place cat resources—food/water and litter boxes—in more than one location.[5]
- Choose a litter box with low sides.
- Place litter boxes and food resources in multiple locations.
- Shower your cat with love! Cats are most happy when they receive genuine attention. Continue to show love to your senior cats in the same ways you always have.[6] You can show your cat love by:
- Petting.
- Taking naps together.
- Brushing your cat’s fur.
- Providing treats.
EditKeeping Your Senior Cat Healthy
- Choose a senior-specific diet. Talk to your vet about moving your cat onto a senior specific diet. Additionally, older cats may prefer to eat smaller amounts more often.[7]
- Look for special cat food blends that aim to help with joint pain, urinary tract problems, and other common issues for older cats.
- If your cat has grown picky, try warming up the food.
- Schedule more frequent visits to the vet. Just like humans, older cats are prone to more ailments. As such, frequent vet appointments can help detect problems early on.[8]
- Consult your vet to determine how often to bring your cat in.
- As a general rule, take your cat to see the vet about every six months.
- Watch for changes. Medical issues can develop quickly in an older cat, even despite frequent vet check-ups. So be sure to watch for any sudden changes to your cat’s body or behavior.[9] Look for things like:
- Weight loss.
- Loss of appetite.
- Changes in activity level.
- Changes in litter box behavior.
EditSources and Citations
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