Prepare a Happy Cat Retirement: Adopt a Senior Cat Month

Prepare a Happy Cat Retirement: Adopt a Senior Cat Month

As our cats grow older, their needs change just like ours do. November is Adopt a Senior Cat Month, spreading awareness of the elderly cats available for adoption and the help senior cats require. Many veterinarians designate 11 years old to be the threshold when a cat enters old age. In this blog post, we'll look at the care of two super senior cats and share tips to meet your elderly cat's needs.

Mike’s aging cat Neko is around 16 years old. It’s estimated that Neko was one or two years old at the time that his previous owners surrendered him. Neko’s name comes from the word for “cat” in Japanese. Several states away, cat parent Pamela has a 20-year-old kitty called Robin. When Pamela was a teenager, she rescued a cat she named Batman, so years later when she adopted Robin, she named him after Batman’s sidekick.

Elderly Kitties Have as Much Purrsonality and Intelligence as Other Cats

Contrary to myths that elderly cats are cranky or detached, when it comes to personality, senior cats are actually much the same as they were in their younger years. Pamela told us about Robin’s enduring charm:

“He has an air of sophistication about him. My brother calls him the Cary Grant’ (a Hollywood legend) of cats, as Robin is intelligent, handsome and suave. He has always been a perfect gentleman that gets along with our other cats and dogs. He is as affectionate as always and loves to sleep on my hip while I'm sleeping. That's when we've bonded the most.”

Senior cat Neko disproves the theory that senior cats can’t adapt. Mike said that Neko is still very calm as he has always been. However, being elderly hasn’t stopped Neko from learning how to get along with other cats:

“Because we lived alone for so long, he's historically very shy around other people. I moved in with my girlfriend a few months ago, which is the first time he's been in a new place and the first time he's been around other people and cats. The experience has been good for him, and he’s opened up a lot, which is impressive for such an old cat. Other than that, he’s as cuddly and needy as ever.”

Senior Cats Need Extra Warmth

Senior cats are more sensitive to dropping temperatures, even when humans are not affected. Pamela commented on Robin’s need for extra warmth:

“Now that he is a senior feline, he seeks the warmest places he can find. He has a new heating pad he enjoys very much.”

Another way to help aging cats stay warm and cozy is to provide them with cat beds that contain thick polyfill and provide a tunnel-like covering to preserve heat. One example is Armarkat’s Cat Bed C15HTH/MH, which functions much like a cat sleeping bag, with a faux suede and faux fur covering that is machine washable. Neko’s methods for finding warmth involve spending lots of time around electronics (which put out heat), as well as enjoying a cat tree with an extra soft plush surface. Neko is a small cat, so he fits in the smaller style cat tree Classic Cat Tree A3207, which has low platforms he can easily reach, and he enjoys the warmth and comfort from its extra padding.

Accessibility Prevents Unnecessary Joint Pain

Senior cats are not as strong as their younger feline friends and are very susceptible to joint pain. Mike described Neko’s increasing trouble with reaching spots he used to jump to easily:

“He struggles a bit with jumping, so I have low tables next to the places he likes to climb on, like my desk when I’m working from home. Before that, he would try to jump on my lap, not quite make it, and claw the rest of the way up my leg. I worried when we moved into a two-story house that he might struggle with the stairs, but he runs up and down them no problem.”

In fact, moveable pet stairs can be used to help aging cats reach places they can no longer jump to. Armarkat’s Classic Pet Steps B4001 has four steps, and each step is only seven inches deep, making for a gentle upwards trek. The steps can be moved to help a senior cat reach a windowsill or other elevated area. Good muscle and joint support is also essential for elderly cats while they sleep. With this in mind, Armarkat’s Extra Large, Fluffy Gray Round Cat Bed C71NHS has five inches of padding and an elevated rim to ensure a restful night’s sleep with extra neck and head support.

Other Health Precautions

Each cat has their own health situations and habits. It’s crucial to be aware of your cat’s specific needs. Elderly cats ought to have check-ups at least twice a year. Always follow your vet’s instructions, which may include changes in diet or meal portion size. Pamela shared Robin’s new feeding routine:

“I feed him much more often now. He eats smaller amounts but more often throughout the day. I want to keep his weight up.”

Elderly cats are more likely to become injured due to falls or other accidents, so be ready to check on your cat more often. Pamela talked about her attentiveness to Robin’s activities:

“I keep a much closer eye on him when he is outdoors now, as I worry he can't defend himself any longer.”

In Neko’s case, Mike sets up cameras around the house whenever Mike leaves for an extended period. The cameras are linked to an app on Mike’s phone so that he can see how Neko is doing at any time.

Why You Should Adopt a Senior Cat

Cat expert Jackson Galaxy describes senior cats as “grateful” because they tend to show more affection. Their general behavior is more relaxed than younger, energetic cats who are more likely to cause mischief. Senior cats rarely get ‘the zoomies’ or run around at night. Because they require more naps, elderly felines tend to prefer a calm atmosphere. Many cat parents have reported that senior cats are less interested in provoking other pets in the household. Above all else, senior cats want a happy, peaceful retirement with a committed cat parent they can spend time with. Pamela recalled the joys of parenting an elderly cat:

“It has been very satisfying to know Robin has lived a long, joyful life. It's nice to know he has survived over 20 years. Sadly, all our other cats were lucky if they made it to 14. I had a 20th birthday party for him on May 6th. Six of his favorite humans attended and he received an abundance of love, toys, treats and a catnip dynamite stick. We humans enjoyed birthday cake and memories of Robin's shenanigans.”

Meta: Discover invaluable tips to ensure the comfort and happiness of your elderly cat. Needs vary by individual cat, but there are patterns to watch for to maintain the health of your senior cat. Armarkat provides information to help you be the best cat parent you can be.

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