At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, which is one of the best veterinary clinics in Colorado Springs, we are completely committed to helping your pets live long, healthy, and happy lives. As your cat matures and grows older, we understand that sometimes it can be difficult to care for an aging pet. That is why we have compiled the following cat resources to provide you with sufficient information and tools to give your Kitty the best possible care through all stages of her life.
Our passionate team of veterinary professionals at Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic have crafted this guide so you can become a better advocate for your senior cats and ensure their golden years are as enjoyable as possible.
What Defines a Senior Cat?
On average, once a cat ages at 11, a cat is considered a senior cat. After 15 and on, cats are considered super seniors. It’s important to know your cat’s normal behaviors and attitudes because cats can exhibit senior behaviors at any age, so if your cat begins acting odd, you’ll know if it’s worth vets treating her as a senior cat, even she may not quite be 11. Early detection of changes is key to proactive care.
Essential Health Care for Senior Cats
Like people, keeping up on dental and wellness visits becomes even more important as your cats age. Regular senior wellness exams at Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic are essential to keeping your senior cat’s health in check! During keeping your senior cat’s health in check!
During these wellness visits, our veterinarians can:
- Perform a full wellness exam for your pet by checking their eyes, ears, lymph nodes, heart, lungs, and abdomen. We would also evaluate their skin, coat, joints, and overall behavior to identify any abnormalities or signs of illness
- Recommend age-appropriate diagnostics, including blood work and urine tests. These tests will identify common senior diseases such as kidney disease, thyroid disease, or diabetes as early as possible.
- Discuss changes in appetite, water consumption, litter box usage, or mobility. These behavioral changes can be subtle and signify a more concerning underlying problem.
- Provide recommended rabies and FVRCP (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia) vaccinations to ensure a cat is protected from common diseases. Our veterinarians may customize vaccination schedules for your senior pet in order to assess the risks of vaccinating against the environment and the probability of exposure for the senior cat.
- Discuss dental health, which is a common issue in older cats. We will make sure your cat has regular dental appointments, while also addressing regular care of the teeth at home, to prevent painful dental disease that can otherwise be detrimental to overall health and quality of life.
Consistent veterinary visits will support your cats in extending their lifespan and living a healthy life, while also managing chronic conditions, reducing suffering, and improving the quality of life overall.
Engaging Activities for Your Senior Cat’s Well-being
It’s important to keep your cats active and moving, especially as they begin to age. Some activities you can do to help make sure you cats are maintaining optimal physical health include:
Brain Games & Puzzle Feeders
Yep, that’s right! Play brain games with your cat to boost their cognitive skills and satisfy their hunting instincts. Use puzzle feeders or hide food around your home to encourage foraging, promote movement, and make mealtime fun!
Toys for Senior Cats
As a caring cat parent, you know your cats love to play! As they age, choose toys that are less intense and require less jumping. Great options include:
- Laser pointers, if used with care, encourages some movement and play without much work.
- Catnip toys produce a sudden burst of energy or cause relaxation, as your cat reacts to them.
- Feather wands or a “fishing rod” toys lets you manage its movement. This causes gentle pounces and swats, but it keeps the play light.
- Soft, light-weight balls are easy to bat.
Accessible Cat Trees & Towers
Cat towers help your cats exercise and move often; they offer tall areas, as cats naturally want to climb. Cats also get chances for soft climbing plus stretching. Place your cat tower next to a window so cats observe the outdoors and watch “cat TV.” When you pick a tower for an older cat, choose a steady one. It should have carpeted ramps or steps instead of big jumps, also its platforms should be lower. If your old cat does not jump as high as before, the tower must fit their limited movement. You can add steps or ramps to their favored spots.
Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic: Your Partner in Senior Cat Care
At Ponderosa Veterinary Clinic, we have the knowledge and resources to help make sure your cats live long and healthy lives. Whether you recently adopted a senior cat or have cats that you’ve grown up with, our team will help you prepare for this phase of their lives. It can be difficult to transition from caring for a spunky, lively cat to a calmer, older cat, but we’re here to help make the transition seamless.
If you have any questions about senior cat care, please feel free to contact our knowledgeable team today! We are here to support you every step of the way.
