As your cat gets older, you will want to be sure that you pay close attention to her health and well-being. The following are some of the most common conditions that can affect your senior cat and how best to prevent them:
Keep your cat cool
Keeping your senior cat cool is a must. If you’ve got a kitty that spends most of the day indoors, make sure to keep windows closed and provide plenty of cool water for them to drink. It’s also important that they have access to shade or an air-conditioned room in which they can rest when it gets too hot outside. Don’t leave your senior pet alone in parked cars–even if you think he or she will be fine!
Make sure your cat doesn’t get overweight
You can tell if your cat is overweight by feeling his or her tummy. If it feels like a soft pillow, then he or she is probably overweight.
Also, you should get a scale and weigh your cat once a week (or every other week). You can also use this as an opportunity to measure how much food he or she eats during these weigh-ins–this way you know whether or not he’s getting enough exercise and how much food he needs each day!
Blood sugar problems
There are a number of health issues that can affect your senior cat, including diabetes and hypoglycemia. Diabetes occurs when the body does not produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels; this leads to high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) and/or low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Both conditions can be managed with proper diet and medication, but your vet will need to check your cat’s blood regularly to make sure everything is under control.
Insulin resistance is another common problem in older cats with fatty liver disease Fat builds up in the liver cells instead of being stored as energy for later use by the body. This buildup can cause permanent damage or even death if left untreated for too long.
Heart disease
Heart disease is a common condition in older cats. It can be caused by high blood pressure or heart defects, and it’s also common in cats who are infected with heartworm. If your cat has spent time outdoors, heartworms are transmitted to cats through mosquitoes. Especially near bodies of water or marshes–it might need to be treated for this parasite.
Aging also causes hormone changes that affect how your cat uses insulin, which can lead to diabetes. If you notice excessive urination or thirstiness (your senior will probably drink more), contact your vet immediately; these symptoms can be signs of diabetes!
Kidney disease
Kidney disease is a common problem in senior cats. The kidneys are organs that filter the blood, remove waste products and help keep your pet’s body balanced. As your cat ages, the kidneys may become less efficient at performing these functions. Signs of kidney disease include:
- Increased thirst and urination (especially at night)
- Weight loss despite a good appetite; loss of muscle mass due to poor nutrition from not eating enough food or drinking enough water
- Hiding or sleeping more than usual
Arthritis
Arthritis is a common problem in cats, and it can be difficult to tell whether your cat has arthritis. The signs of arthritis include pain and stiffness in the joints.
If you notice that your senior cat is limping or having trouble climbing stairs, this may indicate arthritis. Arthritis can also cause loss of appetite or weight loss, as well as vomiting or diarrhea if there are other health problems involved with the disease (such as kidney failure).
The best way to treat arthritis is with medication and exercise. If possible, try giving your senior cat glucosamine supplements from the vet. They will help ease pain associated with their condition while preventing further damage from occurring due to lack of use! You should also try making sure they don’t overeat. Overweight cats are more likely than healthy ones when they reach old age due simply because they’re less active, so eating more food makes sense since we all know how hungry being lazy makes us feel.
Conclusion
If you want to keep your senior cat healthy, it’s important that you watch for symptoms of any health problems and take them to the vet right away. You can also help prevent certain conditions by keeping your cats well-fed, active, and hydrated. If they start showing signs of arthritis or heart disease, make sure they get some extra love from the family!