6 Simple Things You Can Do at Home to Add Comfort to Your Old Cat’s Life
Cats are creatures of comfort. But as they age, they need a little more help to feel fully relaxed. Here are six things you can do to make your home comfortable for your older cat.
Create a warm place to relax with heated pads. Arthritis is very common in senior cats, with >90% of cats older than 12 years' showing radiographic evidence of arthritis. Extra heat from a heated bed or a heating pad on low under a blanket, towel or bed can be very soothing to aching bones and joints. In fact, a heated bed often becomes a favorite spot! If you use a heating pad, just remember to use the LOW setting only to prevent burns.
Add a drinking fountain as a water source. Many cats get excited when a faucet turns on. They seem to enjoy the fresh, aerated water that comes from the tap. Older cats often have medical conditions that predispose them to dehydration, leading to decreased activity, decreased appetite and constipation. A drinking fountain may encourage them to consume more water.
Create steps or ramps to their favorite hangout and sleeping places. Many older cats experience difficulty with the jumps that used to define them when they were younger. If you find your cat spending more time in the lower areas of the home, consider helping them out. A well placed sturdy box that splits one large leap into two smaller jumps may be all they need to get to that favorite window perch. There are also many pet steps and ramps available when more assistance is needed.
Modify your cat’s litter box. Inappropriate urination is a common complaint in households with senior cats. When medical reasons have been eliminated, it is important to address the environment and the litter box is the best place to start. The litter box that has served them for most of their life may no longer be suitable. Is the location of the litter box too hard for them to reach? We often put litter boxes in the basement, and if the journey up and down the steps becomes tiring or painful, urinating somewhere else may just be easier. Consider placing a litter box on each floor to encourage good behavior. Or, the litter box itself may have become too difficult to get in and out of. Pans designed for senior cats, puppy housebreaking pans, and large low sided storage bins provide easier access.
Make time for regular grooming and nail trims. As cats age, it can become difficult for them to adequately groom all parts of their coat. The area down the center of their lower back is a common area of neglect. If you have a longhaired cat, hopefully you have made brushing a part of their routine. But even short haired cats need a little help as they age. Loss of muscle mass can make cats more sensitive than before, so find a brush that is comfortable and use treats as a reward during your grooming sessions. Senior cats also need a little more help with nail care. Their nails grow thicker and more brittle. They also have more difficulty retracting them and you may find they catch more easily on carpets and furniture. Regular nail trims can make life a little easier for them.
Consider adding horizontal scratching posts/pads. Scratching provides a number of health and social benefits for cats, including exercise and stress relief. For the older cat, especially those with arthritis, the much loved vertical scratching post of their younger days may not be getting much use. A horizontal scratching post may be just what they need.
Give Your Old Cat Their Best Life Possible
Small adjustments can make a huge difference in the life of your senior cat. Try these tips to make them more comfortable and happy. If you are still concerned about your cat’s quality of life, book a consultation to learn more about how to best support your cat in old age