Be a comfort to your cat
The medical care of arthritis in cats has advanced rapidly in recent years, and with a little action on your part, there is every reason to expect that your cat can be comfortable into old age.
Whether your older cat has arthritis or not, here are some things you can do to help make his/her old age more comfortable.
Maintain Activity
- Create places where your cat can easily climb and hide.
- For example, have one or two cardboard boxes with a hole for a cat sized 'door' and attract your cat inside with deep comfy bedding and some dry food.
- Watch which hiding places he/she likes best and take away unused boxes.
Maintain play
- Gentle games with your cat can also help to keep him/her alert and active.
Make food access easy
- Put food somewhere that your cat can get to it easily without having to jump too much. It should be in a place where your cat feels 'safe' and not near the cat flap or litter tray.
Relocate water
- Cats often prefer having their drinking water away from their food so you might want to put a second bowl in another room.
Relocate litter tray
- Make sure the litter tray is in a place where your cat feels 'safe' (not in a busy corridor or near the cat flap). Litter trays with lower sides can be more comfortable for stiff and creaky cats.
Control weight
- Being overweight can put extra strain on your cat's joints so keeping his/her weight down is helpful. If your cat is overweight ask your vet or vet nurse for advice on a suitable diet.
Consider joint supplements
- If your cat does have arthritis then your vet may suggest you use a joint supplement. This nutritional support can help maintain normal function in joints and tendons.
- For more information on joint support products please visit www.seraquin.co.uk
Help your cat to groom
- Take time to find out what sort of grooming your cat likes best. Painful areas are best avoided. Gentle grooming can help maintain your cat's interest in life.
If you want to read more about cats, and the conditions they suffer as they get older, you could take a look at the Feline Advisory Bureau's website www.fabcats.org. They are an independent charity and provide lots of useful information on all aspects of cat care.
