Senior Cat Care Tips: The Basics

Lisa Selvaggio
by Lisa Selvaggio
Updated:  November 24th, 2022

As your kitty gets older, you might notice some changes in behavior, weight, and overall health. Here are some of the simple things you can do to help an older cat feel comfortable, safe, and happy.

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See the Veterinarian for Checkups and Advice


When your cat was young, they didn’t have any problems getting around, and they probably impressed you with their ability to run fast, jump high, and land on their feet. But as your pet gets older, you might notice that they move more slowly or aren’t able to jump as well as they used to.


It’s a good idea to have your pet checked by a vet regularly to be sure they aren’t in pain and don’t require any medical support to feel good. Also, consider talking to your vet about your pet’s dietary needs. They might recommend a high-moisture diet or advise switching to a different food that’s more appropriate for your kitty’s health and weight.


Help Your Cat Get to Their Favorite Things


Once you know what your senior cat needs, it’s time to work on making everything easy to access. One thing you might not realize is that your senior kitty might have some trouble seeing, and this could be particularly hard for them at night when it’s dark. Plugging in a few nightlights may help your kitty get around with greater ease.  

Other things to consider adding to your home:


Multiple bowls and litter boxes


In addition to making sure your cat has easy access to multiple food and water bowls, it’s worth getting extra litter boxes that you can set up in different areas of your home. That way, your cat won’t need to walk far to get to the box when they need to use it. And you might also find that switching to a different type of litter box, such as one that your cat can get into and out of more easily, is necessary too.  


Cozy places to rest


If your cat is used to sleeping on your bed or couch but they’re having trouble jumping onto it lately, consider getting pet stairs or pet ramps to make it easier for them to still nap where they wish. And it’s a good idea to add more cat beds throughout the house, such as near a window that your kitty likes, so they can be warm and comfortable whenever they want to rest. You could even buy some orthopedic pet beds that provide extra support.  


Encourage Playtime and Snuggle Time


Even though a senior cat might sleep more than they used to, try to encourage them to stay active. Sure, your feline companion may not jump as high or have as much energy to play, but they may be excited to unleash their inner hunter. There are many types of toys, from those for interactive play to those for solo play, that can prevent boredom and entice your pet to get some exercise.


Your senior companion might also want to spend more time with you, whether that means sitting next to you on the sofa or napping on your lap. Give your kitty the attention and affection they crave so they won’t feel lonely or stressed.


Help Your Cat with Grooming


Senior cats might not be able to groom themselves as well, especially when it comes to hard-to-reach areas like their back. Help them maintain a smooth and healthy coat by brushing them often.

Remember, taking your senior kitty to the vet for checkups can help you stay on top of their health. Your vet can also answer questions to ensure you’re able to provide everything your pet needs in their golden years. 

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Lisa Selvaggio
Lisa Selvaggio

Lisa Selvaggio is a freelance writer and editor, and our resident cats-pert, with certifications in pet nutrition and pet first aid. She enjoys producing content that helps people understand animals better so they can give their pets a safe and happy home.

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Chubby kitties might be as cute as it gets, but that doesn’t mean that their extra fluff isn’t leaving a mark on their health. Coincidentally, it seems that the effect obesity has on feline health can be compared to humans dealing with the same condition – a recent scientific study claims that fat cats can help researchers better understand the way gut bacteria influence conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes.The study focused on food-related changes in the gut microbiome of chubby cats. The results showed that there are striking similarities in the way diet affects the gut of humans. The study’s results were published in the journal Scientific Reports, and are revolutionary in many ways. In fact, the researchers say that it is cats that could be the ideal source of information about the human microbiome, and whether changes in gut bacteria can help fight obesity.“Being able to see changes in cats that come up in the context of obesity and type 2 diabetes in people makes them a really good model to start looking at more microbiome-directed therapeutics for obesity in humans if we’re seeing a similar shift,” said lead researcher Dr. Jenessa Weston, an assistant professor of veterinary clinical sciences at Ohio State University.“Animals share our beds. They share our ice cream. There are all these things that people do with their pets that highlight they are a naturally occurring disease model with similar environmental exposures as humans,” she added.During the course of the study, the scientific team fed seven obese cats a specially crafted diet for 16 weeks. Gradually, the diet progressed: from free-feeding of commercial cat food to feeding a special weight-loss diet, and finally to a calorie-restricted feeding on the special weight-loss food. It was subsequently discovered that a short-chain fatty acid, called propionic, increased significantly in fecal samples of cats who were losing weight on the calorie-restricted diet. It was shown that propionic acid can help regulate appetite in other mammals, and reduce fat accumulation, as well as protect against obesity and diabetes. The team concluded that the increase in propionic acid was connected to the increase in the gut bacterium Prevotella Copri. “When the cats are on the special diet formulated for weight loss, propionic acid goes up and stays high, and then goes back down when they’re put back on the maintenance diet. So, it really is a dietary change,” Winston said.“This paper highlights that when we calorie-restrict cats that are obese, we can alter their microbial ecosystem - and those community shifts that we see likely correlate with some metabolic outcomes,” she added.What these results show is that the observed changes in the gut bacteria of fat cats can provide important insights into how diet affects the human gut microbiome. “Microbes we saw in this study also come up again and again in human studies - and clearly, people aren’t eating cat chow, right?” she said. 

BARK Air Introduces a New Flight Tailored for Dogs

Onboard, they have carefully considered every aspect of air travel for dogs. For example, they serve all canine passengers their beverage of choice during ascent and descent to help prevent the discomfort often caused by cabin pressure changes. Of course, during the flight, your pup will be treated to a bit of pampering with dog-friendly snacks. “When we started BARK in 2011, we were on a mission to disrupt the dog space and create products designed for dogs and their humans. We are excited to take the insights we’ve learned over the years to create an experience that is truly dog-first, which is drastically different from just accepting dogs – from the ground to the skies,” explained BARK’s Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Matt Meeker. “We believe this initiative will elevate awareness of our brand’s mission and values, introduce more dog lovers to the BARK family, and help enrich the lives of dogs and their people around the world.” BARK Air will launch with limited routes from New York City’s Westchester County Airport (HPN) to Los Angeles’ Van Nuys Airport (VNY) and London, England’s Stansted Airport (STN). Dog parents are taking to social media, where the news is going viral, to express their excitement about the announcement. The first flights will take off on Thursday, May 23. Visit DogsFlyFirst.com for more information about BARK Air, available flights, and booking. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Can Parrots Overheat? Keeping Your Pet Bird Cool in the Summer

With the summer temperatures steadily soaring, all pet owners need to be extra attentive about the weather and always make sure their little friends are not overheating. Parrots, like all birds, are sensitive to changes in temperature. While they are naturally adapted to warm climates, excessive heat can pose serious health risks. Understanding how to keep your pet parrot cool during the hot summer months is crucial for their well-being.How To Keep Your Pet Bird Cool in the SummerIt is important to know that parrots regulate their body temperature through their respiratory system. They do not sweat like humans; instead, they pant to release heat. Overheating, or hyperthermia, occurs when a parrot's body temperature rises above the normal range, which can lead to serious health issues such as heatstroke. Signs of overheating in parrots include rapid panting, holding their wings away from their body, lethargy, and in severe cases, loss of consciousness.Ensuring that your parrot’s living environment is cool and comfortable is the first step in preventing overheating. Here are some tips to achieve this without much effort:Place the parrot’s cage in a well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight. Avoid areas that can get excessively warm, such as near windows or kitchens.Use fans or air conditioning to maintain a cool temperature. However, make sure the airflow is indirect to avoid creating a draft, which can be harmful to parrots. Always provide fresh cool water for your parrot. Consider adding ice cubes to the water bowl to keep it cooler for longer periods.

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