Caring for your senior cat
ONCE your pet reaches 10 or 11, you’ve got a senior kitty, so it’s sensible to adjust your routine to manage any issues stemming from age.
Many of the things to watch out for are just like the things you’d watch for a human person: your pet might not see or hear as well, be a little bit fussier with food, have a weaker immune system, and become less agile. You may compensate by moving furniture, getting in different food and factoring in more health checks.
Again, like elderly humans, old cats can become more insecure and anxious. This means you need to spend more time with them, be very gentle, and if you have younger visitors, keep them away from the cat.
Danger signs to look out for are sudden thirsts, lack of appetite and the kind of bad temper that comes from pain. Cats are very good at hiding health issues, so if you see these changes, go straight to your vet.
Finally, on a personal note, I don’t know if it’s every cat but my boys run in and out all day long and when they get beyond a certain age, I find their nails are more prone to damage. It’s very easy to take care of: all you need is an emery board.
Sit your pet on your lap, and very gently press each toe so you can see the edge of the claw. If it’s ragged, a few swipes will fix it. Remember, cats need sharp claws to climb and defend themselves. Blunt claws leave your cat helpless so make sure you leave them in good natural shape – curved and super sharp.
While it is possible to clip kitty claws, there’s a stripe (called the quick) at the base where the blood vessels and nerves that supply the claw cluster. If you damage that, there will be tonnes of pain and blood, so it’s best to leave clipping to a vet or to get special lessons.