Helping Your Aging Cats

As your cats get older, they start to slow down. They don’t run around like they used to. They sleep even more, which doesn’t seem possible. They don’t jump as high either. They don’t necessarily understand these changes. Here are some ideas to help them.

Put some steps to the higher places they like to sleep. Adding steps will help them get to their special spots, reducing their stress. It also keeps you from having to lift them up and down.

Put a heating pad in their bed. Since cats also get arthritis, a small heating pad in their favorite napping place will help keep their joints from stiffening up.

They will also most likely have incontinence problems. When they pee in places they never had before, they just couldn’t hold it anymore. They may pee while they are sitting with you. Don’t get mad at them, they really couldn’t help it. They may not even realize they did.

Most of all patience and understanding. When your cat doesn’t move fast enough, they aren’t doing it to annoy you, they just can’t move quickly anymore. Be patient, help them along gently. They are just like humans, they get more fragile as they get older.

Make sure you still hold your cat, and sit with your cat. Since they don’t realize they are doing these things, or having these problems, they won’t understand your change in attitude toward them. If you push them away when you were always inviting before, they have no idea why you don’t want them anymore. Keep an extra towel around, add the steps, give them extra heat. Do whatever you can to help them out in their time of need. They were always there for you.

Hopefully you will be understanding about the problems they are having. Just remember, they aren’t doing any of this to hurt you, or to spite you. They are just getting older. Love them and care for them as much as you always did. They may not be with you much longer.

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