When a small furry kitten appears in the house, many owners have no idea that after some 8-10 years of life in the house it will be an elderly animal...
All cat owners want their pets to stay young and alert at all times. After all, we love them and want them to live with us as long as possible! And at the same time, they were healthy!
However, alas, the aging of cats is much faster than we would like them to because of their shorter lifespan. Pay attention to the signs that your cute companion is getting older now.
Wool
Cats are known for their impeccable hair care procedures. They lick themselves several times a day. However, with age, this habit takes less time. After about 10 years of age, the attentive owner notices that the cat has started to take care of her coatless and less often...
In this case, you should connect to cat care. Try to brush it more often, sometimes wipe it with a damp cloth. Beware of tangled fur, inflammation of the skin and sometimes even problems with the smell of the animal.
Muscles
Age cats tend to spend much more time in their sleep or lying down than their younger counterparts - and this is understandable. The energy for active gaming becomes less and less with age. Just like us, people.
Because of this, their muscular tone is significantly reduced. These cats are much less flexible. They don't jump on curtains to get a sunny bunny.
Loss or loss of appetite
Some cats have trouble smelling when they get older. Because some of the fun of eating is related to the smell, it leads to a loss of appetite.
At this age, it is advisable to feed your cat special foods for older cats. They have an increased aroma, which attracts an elderly cat.
Naturally, loss of appetite is often accompanied by weight loss and loss of muscle mass.
Some appetite problems are also related to dental problems - another sign of an elderly cat. As you get older, stones can build up on your cat's teeth, damaging the gums and teeth.
Grey
Older cats are also like people in graying! Grey-white fur is especially common on the limbs and muzzle. Along with the appearance of cute gray hair, cat fur also things and becomes less shiny over the years.
Dehydration
Older cats need more water than younger cats because of reduced kidney activity. However, they usually consume much less liquid because of their reduced appetite.
As a result, dehydration is a common problem in older cats. If you have an older cat, you should keep an eye on its daily water intake!
Medical conditions
Older cats are prone to many health problems that are no different from those that occur in humans. These include arthritis, high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, kidney failure, hearing loss, and vision problems.
Take your elderly cat to regular check-ups with your vet, especially if you notice any unusual signs.
With some age-related changes, older cats can live happily ever after.