Providing proper diet for an elderly cat is a matter of finding out the physical condition of your cat. It can be hard without a veternarian visit. Always examine your geriatric cat's desire for food, food consumption, eating behavior, weight, and body condition. This info will be useful when you and your veterinarian ascertain your cat's precise nutritional needs. Unless your cat has problems digesting average cat food, is becoming overweight or is on prescription food, complete formulation cat food accompanied by cool drinking water is satisfactory.
Because cats are social animals, your senior cat may also be pleased about a warm nesting point near the center of your family activity. It is suggested to move older cats onto a specially formulated senior cat food. Store bought cat foods made especially for senior cats provide superior-quality protein and lower phosphorus levels to cut down kidney stress. The senior citizen cat formulas also add Vitamin E to strengthen the older cat's authentic defenses.
Cats Getting Older
Cats go through several physical and behavioral changes as they grow older. As your cat's metabolism slows down, the cat's senses begin to diminish. Senior cats have more problems with taste, sight, smell, and hearing. Sadly, these physical problems are a fact of life, and the cat owner must alter the way they feed their cat. Generally, older cats between the ages of 8 and 12 tend to grow fatter and following age 12 tend to become skinnier and metabolically old.
Keeping A Cat Healthy Through Proper Nutrition
There are numerous diseases and conditions that felines develop as they age. There are special diets formulated for cats that have developed heart disease. Cat diets for heart disease by and large have reduced levels of sodium and more of the amino acid taurine. Preservatives have been blamed for a number of problems in cats from food allergies to cancer. This point is still being researched and debated.
Preparing The Cat Food
When getting cat food out of the fridge, it is best to let the cat food warm up. According to how much you give, it can take up to 2 hours to warm. You can warm catfood in a microwave, but it can get hot spots. Just watch to make sure it don't overheat, and mix well after heating to reduce the heat spots. If you want a rule of thumb, it is recommended to not get cat food to cold or hot.
Other Things to Ponder in An Aging Cat
When feeding your cat, always give it fresh water. Older cats tend to get dehydrated easier. Keeping the elderly cat properly hydrated is imperative. Elderly cats are often poor drinkers even when water is easily accessible, so providing pure, fresh water helps. I recommend setting a number of bowls of water in separate parts of the house.
Don't Forget These Things When Caring For Older Cats
Like humans, all cats are not made the same. So you can't give an older cat a cookie cutter diet and expect the right results everytime. Be sure to go along with all the guidelines of your animal doctor, even if your cat fights it at first. It is necessary to make sure your cat lives a long healthy life.
Caring For Senior Cats
Here are 10 tips that may help your arthritic dog:
1. Slip-free Flooring. Hardwood and tile floors are slippery and can be very difficult for dogs with arthritis to move around. Placing carpet or area rugs will help secure your dog's footing. This can help prevent your dog from slipping and getting injured.
2. A Soft Bed. Soft bedding can help support your dog's bones and joints and make your pet more comfortable. This can be especially important in thin dogs in which bony prominences are likely to rub on hard surfaces. Some beds are made especially for dogs with arthritis, such as waterbeds, hammock beds, and beds with plenty of extra cushion.
3. Ramps or Cubes. Stairs and furniture can become difficult obstacles for your aging companion. Ramps or specially designed cubes can help pets safely climb stairs, get into or out of bed or get in
and out of your vehicle. Ramps can be made of plastic or wood and are available from many pet catalogs. A new product called "Puppy Stairs" are soft modular cubes that fit together in combinations that permit pets to climb up or down from beds or sofas. These cubes are made of soft rubber, have rounded corners and washable covers.
4. Medication. Various medications are available that can help your dog feel better. Medications include drugs such as Deramaxx?, Rimadyl? or Etogesic?. These drugs are classified as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and work to suppress inflammation and pain. Other medications such as Cosequin? can also be beneficial by providing your dog's body with necessary nutrients for cartilage repair and function. See your veterinarian to discuss if any of these medications could benefit your dog.
5. Peace & Quiet. As your dog ages, he may not be as tolerant or patient as he used to be. Sore joints make it difficult for your pet to enjoy rambunctious playful children. Supervise playtime and consider keeping your dog away from very young children. Even parties and holiday time can be distressing for an arthritic dog. Your dog may want to join in the festivities regardless of the discomfort. To reduce joint pain and inflammation, you may want to limit your arthritic dog's time as the center of attention.
6. Massage. By massaging your dog, you can increase his or her flexibility, circulation, calmness and a general sense of wellness. Professional animal massage therapists are available to provide your pet a more thorough treatment.
7. Weight Control and Dietary Therapy. Arthritis is more of a problem in obese pets. Weight loss can be beneficial by reducing the workload on your dog's bones and joints. In addition to basic weight loss, there are diets formulated for dogs with arthritis that may be beneficial for your dog. Diets, such as Hills? Science Diet? j/d? and Purina? JM Joint Mobility? have been shown to help dogs with arthritis maintain weight, reduce pain and improve mobility.
8. Exercise. Modest daily exercise can help some dogs. Special care is needed, so it is important to first see your veterinarian, who can recommend an appropriate exercise program. Exercise can strengthen your dog's muscles and ligaments thus reducing your dog's injury potential and risk.
9. Extra Time. Don't rush a dog with arthritis. It often takes them extra time to walk, climb stairs or get in and out of the car. Support and help your arthritic dog if needed or just give your pet the extra time to get around.
10. Grooming. Grooming should not be neglected, especially in the older dog. Arthritic dogs have a difficult time keeping themselves clean, especially in those hard to reach areas. Help your dog stay clean by trimming the hair around the rear end. Brushing will help remove mats and tangles, which can injure delicate older skin. Follow these top 10 tips, and you'll be able to keep your arthritic dog living longer, stronger, happier and healthier.
Both Dan Chan & Dr. Debra Primovic are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Dr. Debra Primovic has sinced written about articles on various topics from Dogs, Dog Care and Dogs. About the Author:With her PetPlace.com columns, Dog safety and health expert, Debra Primovic has helped thousands of dog owners keep their dogs living longer a. Dr. Debra Primovic's top article generates over 720 views. Bookmark Dr. Debra Primovic to your Favourites.
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