10 Proven Senior Cat Care Tips That Actually Work (A Vet's Perspective)
Dr. Sarah Wooten, DVM, CVJ gives her top 10 tips for a happy, healthy senior cat. Learn about the best cat food for senior cats: cats.com/best-cat-food-for-se...
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0:00 Introduction
0:16 Tip 1: Remember That Age Isn’t A Disease
1:36 Tip 2: Look For Changes In Eating And Drinking
2:47 Tip 3: Provide Extra Warmth As Needed
3:34 Tip 4: Provide Night Lights
4:08 Tip 5: Think Twice Before Getting a Kitten
5:43 Tip 6: Stick To A Routine
6:29 Tip 7: Feed A Combination Of Wet And Dry Food
8:13 Tip 8: Provide An Accessible Litter Box
9:25 Tip 9: Feed A Highly-Digestible Diet
10:25 Tip 10: Don’t Skip Vet Visits
11:43 Conclusion
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Do you have a senior kitty at home? How do you make sure that they have the happiest, healthiest life possible? Were you already following some of the tips mentioned here?
Yes. I learned a lot doing research. My cat is 17, and changes started happening with her overnight. She started drinking lots of water, then collapsed after jumping down. She had 3 water bowls now, litter box is now where she doesn't have to walk steps. I'm feeding her smaller amounts of soft food every few hours, instead of once a day. She is getting an essential fatty acid to help her joints, and a very low dose of Carprofen for pain if needed. Night lights added. Vet appointment is in 2 days. The changes I've made have already made a difference for her, and she is responding well to them. Your info is appreciated.
@@georgiastewart4479 so you have a super senior cat as well! I have a 17 y/o as well. Some I follow and made changes according to research as well.
@@sharongagnist6428 Hi, my girl passed on December 23
@@georgiastewart4479 🙀 I'm so sorry for your loss. 😿
@@sharongagnist6428 Thank you.
I really loves the old cats, I specifically adopt the elderly and look after them in their retirement years. It's the most rewarding thing I have ever experienced.
"Do not believe age is a disease." THANK YOU! MY 16 year old cat was breathing heavily, so I took him in to the vet. He got his tests, and yes, he has an enlarged heart and fluid in the cavity. She said he could live maybe a day or a week. I approved surgery to remove the fluid. He was so traumatized from the visit that he didn't eat for 10 days. This is bad. My family had a cat who stopped eating, and her organs started shutting down. We spent nearly $5k on her medicals...we even installed a feeding tube that went directly into her belly and had to do some crazy special food bag injector thing to feed her. I have always had cats, and my first one was with me from age 7 to 28. When I called the vet to update, she was surprised he was still alive. She again suggested euthanasia, because he was no longer eating and eventually would starve. He wasn't drinking, but I nursed him with a baby dropper and cat soup and water. He started doing his old man routine again, but as a weaker cat. He is eating a drinking and using the litterbox on his own again. I know he will leave us soon, but he does not need to be out down at this time. I dont know why she always suggests euthanasia. He is still alive and going on a month past his original death date, and looking pretty darn good for an old man in his last days. We are having fun again, enjoying the warm air on the back porch, and he gets whatever he wants to eat that is not poisonous to cats. When he needs help, I give it. And we are always together (my job is super supportive). Anyway, thank you all for letting me vent. He is such a good, good boy!❤
And he is lucky to have you 😊
@@christian-ir3lr Thank you so much for your message! 🥲🥲🥲
I had two vets recommend putting my senior girl down and try to sell me a bunch of pseudoscientific "treatments" when I refused to delaying her actual required care via referral to a neurologist for an MRI and spinal decompression surgery. I will never trust local vets the same as I did before, they reduced chance of her walking again from 95+% to 0-30% due to their own biases against me and her age, she pulled through and with at home physio she relearned how to walk at 11.5 yrs old and got 90% of her mobility back. Living her best life and is about to turn 14 yrs old soon. Many of us cat people, we know our furbabies better than anyone else. Your vet should've recommended some kind of care as an alternative, there are things they can give to stimulate appetite and rehydrate to prevent liver and kidney damage, and ensure they are comfortable and not in pain. I'm so disheartened by the industry as of late, there are still great vets out there, but so many are just swamped with so many clients things get missed and said incorrectly and we and our pets suffer as a result, then we are made out to be "difficult clients" because we do what we are responsible to do - advocate for our pets health. It's beyond soul crushing and infuriating. Hoping for as much time as possible for you and your fluffball 💜
Bravo.
No euthanasia!!!
My wife and i came to the realization recently that our beloved cat has recently turned 15! We didn't even notice because she's basically the same cat she's always been for the past 10 years. The only thinfg we've changed is giving her cat food specific to 7+ years, other than that, she's still the sprightly, lovable cat she's always been
...and just from your happy description, the food you give her is WET food! From all my beloved cats, (and the only bad thing about them, dealing with losing them) two simple things i learned, from bitter experience, will give them the best shot at long life. The first thing, that most cat people already know is, you need to train, bribe, or trick your cat into consuming as water, every day if you can. I had a lovely Torty, who had 3 owners before me, and I think the only reason I got her was because they knew she needed gallstone surgery and didn't want to pay. The cheap owners only fed her the cheapest dry food, never wet, and made her stay outdoors. She was 12 years old and in constant pain because she had been diagnosed with gallstones. And the vet told us, that's what happens to plenty of cats IF they are on a dry food diet! So if you love them, NOT buying wet food for your cat, and/or a pet fountain, are the WORST examples of false economy I can imagine. But Jacky the cat had such a strong will to survive, and wanted to live so badly I wanted to give her every chance it was possible to give her. I even brought her in for IV's twice weekly, until finally the vet said based on the cat's labs and her age, to go on this way was needlessly causing the cat pain; so it was now time to get the gall stones removed via surgery or put the cat down. I know that most people would NOT spend so much money on a 12 year old cat, but to me there was one choice only, as there was no way I could abandon my wee brave kitty, who had already been through so much in her short life but wanted to live so badly in spite of it. It took me a couple days to round up the money and wasn't easy, even more so since I needed to do it fast! But I scraped up the $1500, much to my surprise she survived the surgery, and she recovered quickly (but only lived for another 2 years). Point being, do whatever you can think of, to get your cat to drink water, every day if possible. And just as important, keep your cats indoors, as much as you can do it. For a tiny mammal, in the middle of the food chain, like your cat and mine, every trip outdoors is filled with danger - many of which the cat is not even aware of. But do I really have to remind any cat owners that outdoor hazards are almost infinite: circling hawks, predatory owls, coyotes and roaming dogs, even awful parasites like tapeworms, "cuterebra" (aka Botflys), nematodes, and even other cats. My beautiful sweet cat Misty contracted feline leukemia, (which as a rule they get from contact with other cats). But it was 1986, the vaccine was not available yet, and the leukemia took poor Misty at only age 7. The point is this: Your cat can be an outdoor kitty. Or your cat can live a good long time. Pick one.
We have a 19-year-old cat. She has certainly slowed down, but otherwise is doing pretty well. Talking about routine - starting about an hour before feeding time, she bothers both of us until she gets fed. I swear she knows how to tell time!
I have an One bedroom Apt. NO steps his Litter box Is in my bedroom.
well dont you get hungry at dinner time?
At Jackson Galaxy's repeated recommendation, I added canned food ("wet food") -- 1 small can twice a day, and recently followed another of his recommendations raw food. My old boy loves the wet food, like the raw chicken even better. I had noticed he wasn't eating the full amount of the canned foods, but recently he's started eating all the wet food plus the small amounts of chopped chicken I put out. He's become much more affectionate in his old age in mornings and evenings, but to my regret he no longer follows me around the house. "Holes up" in the bedroom on my bed most of the day.
@@veramae4098 they like to eat a bit a few times a day when they get older. After mine got to 16 that was her preference
Hi denesedugay. Ha-ha-ha! My 13-year old kitty does the same thing. Angelina starts meowing at 5:00 AM wanting her breakfast. She is so funny!
I got a 18-19 year old cat she still is no different to when she was younger she lived outside for most her life now she runs straight to my bed after the toilet loves to run up and down the stairs I feel she’ll make 30 hopefully 🙏🏻
Old cats want their peace and quiet they've earned it! Be respectful and don't force a kitten or a new cat on your elderly kitty. They deserve to be pampered and not feel as though they have to compete for your love
Yes! This! People need to get over that stupid idea that their older cat needs a kitten. In every case I’ve seen, the cat hates it and it’s super stressful for them. Let them live out their days peacefully.
Today I realized that one of my 19yo cat claw was cutting into his paw 😣 his claws have become less and less retractable. Another tip for old cat is to frequently check their claws!
I really liked what u had to say. But u didn't really touch on, barfing, and very hard turds . My 19 year old Male Siamese, barfs more than usual, cannot eat, shredded chicken, people food, and makes, the most obnoxious cry, I ever heard, after he has eaten. Its so guttural. Sounds like a female, Siamese in heat, but different. Could this mean that he is in pain?
@@frankpaparelli987 I would say that your cat has an intestinal problem and it is in deep pain after eating. Please arrange a vet visit as soon as you can. I wish you well!
Yes. Go To the vet
Yea, my cats routine is wake me up 12 midnight, wake me up at 2:30, wake me up at 4 and then again at 6 by yelling at me from the front of the house, and then every time I sit down to relax yelling at me to get something for her.
My Snoozee is a 13-14 year old "senior kitizen" who I found living under a bush in my front yard last October (2020). For reasons unknown she had been abandoned. I was able to get some of her history from the cat rescue that adopted her out in 2008 (she was microchipped). There just isn't enough information out here on the care for senior cats! Thank you so much for this video!🐱🐈🐾💯❤
I thought of you when we published this one! I hope you and Snoozee got something valuable out of the video. :)
@@AllAboutCatsYT Yes -- Thank you!😁❤
@@ilovegoodsax "senior kitizen" 😂 clever
@@vipset87 😎
I have a 20yo girl. She's developed arthritis in her elbows, which has changed the shape of her front legs so that her elbows are permanently akimbo causing mobility problems. I've had to change up some things to help her such as adding a small pet stair so she can get up on the bed. I've also added an inexpensive bowl riser by repurposing a 4" PVC pipe hub-to-hub coupler (less than $4 at the big-box hardware stores), which helps her by reducing the amount she has to bend down to feed. I've been using 10oz Corelle dessert bowls for feeding as the shape helps her access the food in the bottom of the bowl better (the sides are flared) and it fits perfectly on the coupler riser. Added bonus is that they are less expensive per bowl than some of the plastic/melamine pet food bowls on the market, are practically indestructible, non-toxic and dishwasher safe. Instead of a cookie sheet under the litter box, I use a plastic boot tray. The cookie sheet is smooth and therefore slick (also metal is cold), whereas the boot tray has wavy line type texture for better traction. It also has a slightly higher lip than a cookie sheet, which helps reduce litter scattering and also better contains "accidents" when she goes in the litter box part way with her butt hanging out over the entrance. I also have her completely switched over to can food exclusively as she gets constipated when she eats kibble. (It still happens on occasion w/ the can food but I give her between 1/8th to 1/4th teaspoon of Miralax in about 2ml of water, and dribble it in her mouth from a syringe.) She's also in remission from diabetes due to an exclusively wet diet. I add a little water to the pate food as well so the texture becomes more like a gruel or Creme of Wheat consistency. I don't used wet food that has gravies, etc., as those have added thickeners that raise the carb level of the food.
My eldest cat is 17, has arthritis, no eyes (lost them to glaucoma about three years ago) and short-term memory loss. He gets fed on demand and spends the majority of his day either down by my feet or up in front of me on my desk. He gets an injection once a month (Solensia) which relieves the arthritic pain but he can't twist round comfortably enough to keep his hips and the base of his tail clean. That's my job with the pet wipes, along with brushing him where he can't reach so that his fur doesn't get matted. My wife, who is a nurse, calls me the 'cat carer' 😄 but she'd do the same if I wasn't at home.
How to get them to ‘fire those glutes’😆
My cat never liked the kittens I fostered. Now that she's older I've stopped fostering. She's queen of the house. She never liked being picked up, she still doesn't, but she definitely likes to cuddle more.
My 17 1/2 year old cat is definitely getting up there. I suspect she has at least a little cognitive dysfunction. She has become a tad clingy. She occasionally does these loud plaintive meows when she’s alone or it’s early in the morning. Most jarring of all, she hardly went outside this past summer, while her whole life she would practically live outside during the summer. She still is a very happy cat and still has her usual idiosyncrasies that crack us up, but it’s also a little sad to see her change.
It will get even more clingy. I promise. Love on her
@@ShesMajickal_ mine too, and one of them @18 is still going strong, treating us to her bizarre screech if the food bowl is going down every single day
@@ShesMajickal_i
Thanks for this, i think im doing everything right. Mine is 14, mostly retired, but still takes his rodent eradication duties seriously.
my 19 year old cat has slowed down as well, but our vet recommended we try a multivitamin so we did and shes honestly in full young cat mode again! You can tell she is a lot happier. I have been giving her the all natural vitamins by the brand balanced breed
My cat wakes me up at the same time everyday....
Thank you. I'm so relieved to know from you that what we are doing for our 15 year old little ginger cat is helping her remain health and happy. 💛🐱💕
My Max is 18. He is very slow and legs are wobbly. He also has seizures. I took him to vet.blood work is perfect.
I'm fostering a 12 and a half year kitty. I also have a five and a half year kitty who I belong to. The older foster still gets zoomies, hes just a little less "hyper" than my younger kitty. If you didn't know the age of the older kitty you wouldn't know the age difference between these two.
Vita has just turned 14 on July 14th. She does eat dry and canned food. I have cut down on her kibble, but I still let her free feed off of the kibble as it only lasts throughout the night. In the day time she only gets wet food. I feed her a combination of 1st Choice urinary tract health, Instinct Limited Ingredient and Fancy Feast. I also use bone broth for her bones and joints. She loves it! The bone broth can be made into cubes (really small circular cubes) and I also give her lots of ice cubes for her water bowls. Her increase in fluid consumption is due to loving the water even more because it is at the perfect temperature.
What a great video, thank you! I really liked the heating cat bed suggestion. For some reason, I didn't know it was a thing but I will for sure get one for my Micha!
Thanks, good video. You seem like a genuine good person who likes animals. I wish there was a veterinarian like you where I live. ✌️ To you.
Love your number 3 tip!
Loved this video 💟
Great tips - thank you Doctor!
thank you so much for this!
Great info. Glad I came here.
Great info🙋😁
thank you for this video!!!
Thank you for the great advice! I have senior cats & they do like their routines!
Very informative, thank you.
Thanks for this. ❤
About a year ago, we bought a few heated beds for my 16yo (now 17) boy who we've had since he was 3 weeks old, and he easily spends over 12 hours a day on them. He also loves going on supervised adventures in our fenced in backyard (he goes on multiple a day), so he also has lots of mental stimulation (he loves trying to hunt the birds, but we don't let him actually let him catch them). He has pretty severe arthritis, which we are treating, but despite this, he seems to be doing very well.
My older cats 15+ certainly have slowed down. They are not as active as they used to be. One does have arthritis so I am getting her the Solensia shots.
Your number 4 tip is also interesting. I am awake late night, so our place is lit up at night. We also have dimmers, but those little night lights would be helpful as well.
Thank you so much for your time and help 👍
Aww. That orange kitty is a sweetheart.
Thank you for these videos!!! I didnt know how much i didnt know about cats and their care and needs
nice one! thanks a lot
Very good suggestions! I have a Scottish Fold (folded eared) girl who will be sixteen soon. She was born sickle and cow-hocked (horse terms, I know, but easiest way to describe it to you). She has never moved well, or correctly. Never liked pooping in the litter-pan, even though filled with Dr. Elsie's Cat Attract litter. I'm okay with her pooping outside the box as long as it's nice solid stuff. For the past six months or so, I guess her hip / hock issues have made her reluctant to even urinate in the pan. So, now, I have an elderly kitty who uses puppy pads! Kind of funny, kind of sad. She's a sweet soul, so I just do my best to accommodate her quirks. Great video!
You are so kind to your kitty!
@@kellybroady6378 she might not be able to get in . watch her walking
@@kellybroady6378 Thanks, I try. We, three kitties and myself, left Florida for a new location in Tennessee seven years ago. This one, Joules, is the only kitty still with me. One had to be re-homed for the sake of the elderly girls, and then my almost twenty-one year old fold had to be PTS. I try hard to make Joules as happy as I possibly can.
@@dieselnine1022 that's so nice! I'm sorry for your 21 year old loss, I lost my 17 year old in April, it shattered my heart. 4 days later I adopted a senior cat with CKD from the humane society and she has really helped me. Her owner had passed, which is why she was there. We have her and 14 year old male. I try hard to make her feel loved and so she knows I am her forever mama.
@@kellybroady6378 Thanks! And thanks for adopting the CKD kitty. I had gone to the local shelter to look for a new kitty after the elderly fold left me. I actually have five kitties now. Joules, the last remaining Florida kitty and some parking lot kittens (now two years old), one from the shelter and another "Scottish Fold", but from a horrible breeder here right in my same town. That one is a British Shorthair more than likely, and a mean girl at that. I'm glad there are decent folks like us who love kitties, and try to do our best for them each day.
My cat is 11 and she has slowed down a bit she's not as playful or as graceful when she falls I'm taking her to the vet soon after a big health scare with our dog I love my cat she's my best friend and has grown up with me she's also just as happy when I'm around as she was when she was younger and that makes me happy
Thanks for advice on night light and heated bed!!!! Such a good idea
thanks so much
Thank you
Your videos have been great! You don’t scare us from going near our cats like others…We have an aging kitty at home. Started with Hills Renal diet. Hoping to keepnher around for as long as possible
You my dear, are a human treasure for our feline buddies! Sage heartfelt advice!
Perfect timing for this! im taking care of a senior!
My 18 year old female cat uses doggy pee pads instead of a litter box.
🐱THANK YOU. IM A VOLUNTEER AT A VET. I TELL MY PET OWNING FREINDS AND RELATIVES TO CUT BACK ON DRY FOOD, and use Purina One. its the best supermarket brand. there are little to no regulations on pet food ingredients, and meat is expensive. so you have to pay a little more for a high quality. i also like hills science diet. Please also advise people to keep their cats in. Predators like coyotes and foxes are in every state. they come very late at night . which why we dont see them. ALSO ADVISE THEM TO DO A FULL SENIOR BLOOD PANEL ON ELDERLY cats. Cats could be living alot longer, and people need all this information. because many of them dont know any of this information THANK YOU SO MUCH🐾🐱🐶
Thanks, ma'am.
For anyone who doesn't know, University of California 📚 is one of the best colleges for veterinary school in the U.S. that's where this Vet got her degree. You can trust her.
Nope, my British short hair came to me with 10 years (second hand because did not cope well with the toddler of that family). He is now 16, limps a bit, broke a tooth, but is lifely, eats well and developped from grumpy and fearful to cuddly and nice. Neighbours cat on my loggia? He is in for a fight and my Old Sam is giving that younger guy a whupping. Jumps less high, is more cautious then before. Had ugly hair felt lumps on his back. I sheared those (slowly, took me weeks, only a bit at a time) and he felt soo much better since, mentally and even physically. Yes, he sleeps a lot and loves his comfort, also cut out the walks outside, prefers staying indoor (ok, wait and see when it gets warmer). Drinks enough. I do not feed lots of dry food, wet food is 3/4 of his diet. We are lucky, he is clean and agile and happy, I hope. Knock on wood, he is a lovely quiet companion.
We had two older cats. One cat recently passed. My husband is insisting we get another cat. Our recent cat is in her teens does not handle stress very well. I said no more cat's. The Food. The company I get the food from doesn't make dry food. And since our cat has kidney and urinary issues she is on canned only. The Weruva brand. I swich around the packs and canned. Vet visits twice to three times a year along with blood work and X-rays all part of Care card.
Vita has always had a cat tree but I bought her a really tall one this year, and the funny thing I noticed is she wanted to climb everywhere! She will also go to the very top and sleep there!
My boy is 17 1/2 and he is in pre or early stage 1 kidney failure. He's been through a lot! He seems to be very bored, we had to move from a wonderful wooded home to a third floor teeny studio with a balcony. I want to see him happy and stay with me a very long time.. I need home made recipes and a yard..lol thank you 🐱
I hope your lovely cat is doing well. Check out Dr Andrew Jones KZhead channel or his website. He has homemade cat food recipes that will help you keep your cat healthy and happy. Blessings 🌟🙏🌟
I wonder about the commercial flea preparations 🤔
Forgot to give you a thumbs up on your kd video! Very informative and in layman's terms.. Please tell us what we need to look for when shopping for a vet!!?? Thank you Doc
Great information! Thank you for helping us older kitty mamas (they're older but they're always kitties right?!) love
Thank you, very helpful! My cat will be 18 in a few months. She's developed some problems with chewing & bowels. She'll be seeing a vet soon. I'll plan to make it a biannual thing.
My lovely cat is 13 years old, but she has some health problems, i hope she can live a long life 😽
Wishing you and your cat all the best.
Very informative video! thank you! I realized that our mistake was not to acknowledge my 19yo cat his 'rightful' routine of back rubbing on the green (not others) bathroom mat, he is used to since 10 years ago. Therefore the green mat is here to stay for some more time.
Thanks loved your video l have 8 cats all different ages
Bonus tip for old cats . I use hemp oil on my grandpappy cat . It has a bad taste though. I tried hiding in freshly opened cans of wet food which went 50/50. Cat often snubbing it, or just eating some of it. Solution? Crack an egg into a bowl , cover, store in fridge. Eggs have tons of helpful vitamins and minerals for both cats and people. I pour a modest amount of the egg onto a flat feeding saucer. Then, via dropper, use a generous amount of hemp oil. My cat gulps it all up 99.8% of the time. I give the hemp oil around 11am and again at 8-9 pm. I leave the once refrigerated egg in bowl on counter to slightly warm up before serving. I do notice a difference in my cat. . The egg stored in bowl lasts roughly 3-4 days of twice a day hemp oil doses. I tried many hemp oil brands before settling on :ExtenLife 100000 mg. Its clear in color which helps regarding taste. Bonus tip: If you're male cat has early signs of a uti, or even plugged up try this. Use 2-4 drops of apple cider vinegar into the (above mentioned) raw egg mix. It will hide the bitter taste of vinegar much better than wet, can food. Start slow with just two drops of vinegar from a dropper. Repeat throughout day/evening 5-8 different times for actual results. Once you determine that your cat will eat it, I've used up to 5 drops of vinegar stirred around in the raw egg. I unplugged my elderly neighbors cat on the dreaded all vets closed on sunday! This cat was literally 100% blocked up. Days later she took her cat to the vet for a visit and meds for the mild infection. Goodluck!
Love these videos! My girl just turned 12 and she's F.I.V positive so I'm wondering if y'all could do a video talking about how to help with that. We've got the basics down and we're doing the best we can but I would love to hear your tips and perspective on that :)
Great video and advice. Im going to get a heated bed
We have two 10-12 year old boys (we don't know how old) and we actually got heated pads for a couple of their beds, they actually COMPLETELY stopped using those beds once we installed the warmth. As soon as we took them out, it went back to my one cats overnight sleeping spot once again. 😅 We'll hold onto them and I'm sure in a few more years they'll want the warmth more than now.
That was some helpful information doc thank you. I have a question if you don’t mind. I have 2 tuxedos cats one is 9 and the other is 20. I do everything you mentioned in the video and my 20 yo man is still pretty active. The day he crossed that bridge do I leave Molly my 9 yo female solo until her time comes ? or do I get another cat so she’s not lonely?
We had our kitten for a month when we took in a 12 year old foster cat. The problem was with the kitten, he growled and snarled at her for a week. Now they play together but it took time. Routine is something we dealt with a week ago. I was staying overnight at my Son and Daughter in laws to be with my Grandson and their dogs. My 12 year old foster was not happy about this. For a week after they returned she was my litteral shadow.
When my cat was older and still had full health, my older cat passed and I wanted to adopt a young cat from the shelter. They said I cannot have a young and old cat together and they suggested getting an older territorial cat with my old cat that felt his home was his territory. No way. No shelter helped me so I got a kitten. My older cat accepted him and my kitten didn't bug my older cat. They had a side by side relation that was very respectful and after a while they got closer. The reason I got a new cat was that my old cat got super depressed when his friend died and it wouldnt let up. Also my older cat had kidney disease so everyone said put hi on kidney food. He hated it and didn't eat much. Which lead to a kidney crisis as he didn't get enough calories so he started breaking down muscle as food, and that is super toxic for kidneys. Then I talked to someone else to say give him as much as he possibly wants to eat of his favorite wet food, no matter if it was not seen as good for kidneys. I did and he got healthy. I had him fed like that until he passed away at age 21. He would have died at 18 if I had followed orders. He was on the skinny side so all that food didn't make him fat. He didn't have hyperthyreosis as reason of being skinny, he was just old and a bit skinny. He also didn't want to use the box so I found a giant box like thing in plastic with a low instep. He accepted that. Also he didn't want litter anymore so I changed to paper. When he died the younger cat didn't seem to want a new cat friend so I only have him and the dog. The dog cared about the old cat in his last years. Made him warm safe and licked him clean as he ignored his butt. People say I made mistakes with the animals giving the old cat a young friend, but he perked up and wasn't depressed. And that I stopped giving kidney food and made sure he ate a lot instead of breaking down muscle. I've even had people being nasty because my now only cat is so jumpy and shy, like I mistreated him. That is just his way to be, he is not like that with people he knows. A reason could be that he never toughened up as cats do in puberty. He probably did not produce any testosterone at all and had no puberty. Vet says he might be Klinefelter. I adapt my ways around my kitty insted of forcing him to play rough and stuff they tell me to do, Oh yea and the dog has been stray part of her life. We never hear the end of it how she can't be a good pet when she has no aggressions and is super cuddly and always comforts us.
I also bought Vita a new litter box with really low sides, and extra large. This one also has no lid. The problem is at times the pee would end up outside the litter box sometimes, because she has a preference for the edge. I have placed newspapers underneath, and change it regularly. I might have to get one with taller sides at some point. I paid over 75.00 for this one.
I’ve purchased reusable pee pad for my kitty’s litter box. It’s great, they are washable. I change them out as needed and keeps my floor urine-free
I have a super senior cat (17 years) and she has become very vocal the last 2 years. We lost her bother shortly before increase.
We feed wet a.m. and p.m. with several teaspoons of dry at various times throughout the day
That was so helpful for me I have 11 year old cat 🐈😸 And she is actting more like kitten that ever ♥️ and I have savic gizmo litter box for kittens and seniors 🐈I hily recomend that litter box😻🐾stay safe 😻 😻
I like Wysong dry food and its chock full of good stuff. For more mosture in dry foods, I just add warm filtered water Also mine NEVER get chlorine in their water ever. Its an antibiotic snd ruins microbiomes in us too! . I bought a $200 Alexapure water filter for all of us. Its bulky though and way better than Brita etc.
Hoping you can talk about preventing dental issues. We've moved away from wet food and feed high end dry food but still feed them a cat complement and add water..
Watch the dental products recommended.
kzhead.info/sun/ft2Ensxue6h8jIE/bejne.html
Thank you Kandy!
My cat turned 21. I feed her wet and dry cat food. Along with that real chicken..tuna. she eats smaller meals but three times a day. Twice a day she gets ice water. Regular vet appointments and arthritis shots. Yes ..they work. We go out two three times a day. If the weather is pleasant..she has a kitty of Eden pen. Alot more .....
Same diet for my cat. She’s almost 13 and hoping for 13 more. She’s healthy and still plays but doesn’t jump as high or as much she used to. She takes Dasuquin powder on her soft food for arthritis every other day
@@tritontransport mine keeps wanting to jump the five foot fence between the neighbor and me. She does it then I have to hurry and grab her. Neighbor hates cats.
Thank you for this video. She so 🥱 sleepy must of the time. Is half of 3oz wet can to much to feed cat .
My male (indoor/outdoor, neutered) gray tabby I got from the shelter at 8 wks old from a feral mom, is turning 21 in January. I already do all 10 of your tips and have for his entire life. My last rescue kitty was 23 when he passed, so I’m an experienced cat guardian and take care to make sure my guys are more than well looked after. My question is - my current old man LOVES milk. I’ve been told not to give it to him because it’s bad for senior cats. However, every time I have a bowl of cereal or a glass of milk, he sticks his face in it the second I turn my back. SOOO, is offering him 2 tablespoons of warm milk once or twice a week really such a big deal to his health???
You can buy kitten milk at most large stores, which is of course super nutritious. I've also heard goat's milk recommended and that there's something called similar to "wild animal milk". I've had 2 cats give birth and offered kittens milk in a bowl to help Mom with weaning them. The Mom's loved it too, which makes sense; having kittens takes a lot out of you. 😂
You can get some cat milk on Chewy, and it’s GREAT for their coat.
My baby is 10 years old. I take her yearly for a senior wellness check with lab work as well as the physical exam. I don’t mind spending the money because I love her and want her to be as healthy as possible. My cat makes me stick to a routine, I don’t make her stick to one. She rules the roost. She loves to drink from the kitchen faucet so water isn’t an issue. I do like to keep my house rather cool however. I don’t know how to tell if she’s cold. How would I know if she is cold?
Give her a warm space / heated bed and she’ll use it if she’s cold ?
Hi there my cat is nearly 17 years old , what food is best for him now at this age to maintain his health ???? He has high thyroid and has medication for that which works well , but I want to look at the best foods for him to eat now in his later life .
The only problem is that I can't afford the hundreds of dollars it costs to walk into a vet's office. 😢
Do you think you could do a video of food recommendations for cats ages 7+? My boy is getting up in age and can't digest dry food anymore he pukes it up :( even when it's mixed with wet food. What wet food brands do you suggest for senior cats that doesn't break the bank?
Hey there! You might like our article on the best cat food for seniors: allaboutcats.com/best-cat-food-for-senior-cats
@@AllAboutCatsYT tysm ❤
I don't think I need night lights for my 10-year-old cat, everything I own seems to have LEDs that light up the house at night.
Hello Dr. Wooten and or community. Any suggestions on how to get my 4yr. old girl Bubbles to eat wet food. She eats only a specific brand of dry food. As most others make her vomit. So she only gets 3 or 4 different varieties of flavor. So when i give her wet food she just licks all the gravy only. We have tried different brands and little portions at a time. She loves her lickables but that’s it. I want her to have some variety. She deserves it. Thanks & Meow😻
Hello! I just have a question. I am currently feeding my cat Feline natural wet food and on an individual can it says “895 kcal/kg, 152 kcal/can” on it. It also gives instruction to feel one can per day. Would that be sufficient for my senior cat? And do you know if this brand is good? He weighs about 11lbs.
Hi How are You? What can I do for a Finicky Senior Cat. I feel that my cat has gotten since he's gotten older.. He doesn't like Pate and certain flavors.
Dr. can you do a video on how to help underweight cats gain weight? My cat was diagnosed with IBD last month, she’s a senior cat and in addition to healing her gut I am trying to get her weight back up. Thank you.❤ 🐈
Hey there. Thanks for the request; we'll consider it. In the meantime, here's our article on the best cat food for weight gain: cats.com/best-cat-food-weight-gain
My cat is 20 yrs old and for the last 3 yrs she’s gotten down to a low weight, because she has few teeth left she eats mostly wet food , which has been great for her, she was falsely diagnosed with lymphoma but no one can figure out why she can eat 5 cans of high protein food a day and not gain a lb, she has no thyroid issue only a slight kidney issue. If anyone has a similar story with any helpful hints I’d greatly appreciate it! Thanks
My cat lost a lb and half in 8 days. The vet recommended giving him kitten food because it's higher in calories.
Thank you! My 13 yr old Maine Coon eats and uses litter box as normal, but he is losing weight rapidly. No other symptoms at all, but he cannot have anesthesia and is violent at the vet, so I'm afraid of limited options😥
Talk to your vet, ask for an at home visit. If they dont do at home visits, call other vets maybe another one does at home visits.
I would guess hyperthyroidism, we had the same with our 14 yr old male cat. Very treatable with a pill, or radioactive iodine 1 time cure.
Ask your vet if your cat can take Gabapentin. We have an 18-year-old cat that goes ballistic at the vet. I put some of it in her food a couple of hours ahead of time. It makes her relax but doesn't knock her out. She is still a handful but it has really helped.
Can they use a mild sedition?
As they age past say 15 you will want to start to be very wary of cancer creeping up. It’s imperative that you not get caught by surprise when it’s already too late. Insist your vet does screening and if they are incapable get a better vet.
My Simba is 19 she still runs crazy with her much younger sister Pepper who is 3. She is asthmatic and needs medication. Otherwise,she’s quite healthy.
Hi, Is it true cats get cold even in the summertime??
Any advice for me? My cat has always needed a box with a lid because he backs up to the side of the box and sprays pee! If the lid isn't there he will be peeing outside the box. He's a senior now and it seems like some of our boxes are getting troublesome for him to get in and out of. Are there alternatives we can look into? The ones with the raised sides are not high enough to stop this boy. He's eleven, been fixed since kittenhood, and has kidney disease, I will do anything to make his life more comfortable.
I have a cat who was a stray and she has the same issue. I have bought those large storage bins and cut the side for a lower entry point. It’s less expensive and if you have a large cat you can choose the size bin that works for him. I spent about 25 bucks on a large bin from Walmart it works great!
You could also cut the opening lower on the box.
Did I kill my cat? She's 17. I had to put down her other home companion at 18 years old and I took her from her home after to try to give her some good last years of her life. She was fine but just the other day started acting up and not acting right. I truly feel like I took her from what she was used to and am blaming myself for her sudden illness.
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If you can't afford a heated cat bed, put some rice in a cotton pillowcase and heat it in the microwave for 3 or 4 minutes. It will stay warm for hours. My cat Leo who is between 16 and 20 years old loves this.
What should I do if my cat is becoming hard of hearing
Why feed dry at all? I feed mine wet canned and some raw. He is 17 and the only cat I have had without kidney disease and the only I cat never fed dry to.
Several of my cats have lived to 20 eating wet and dry.
@MacNMolly At least they got some wet food. Dry only is increasing the odds of poor health. Even if they live a long life doesn't always mean they are healthy. Same with people.
I will change the litter box to be easier
Instead of a cookie tray like she said to catch litter that they might kick out of the box go to dollar tree or general dollar and get one of those plastic trays that people put by their doors to put their rain soaked or snowy shoes on when they come in the house. I use one also for the cat food bowl so when she spills food all over the place and makes a mess it’s all on the tray instead of the floor
My Peanut doesn't have a lot of teeth. I haven't given him dry food anymore. Are there dry food that I can give him.
Do you have a recommended list of 😊 Senior Cat food.?
Hi Roxanne, not Dr. Sarah, but we do have an article on the best cat food for seniors here: allaboutcats.com/best-cat-food-for-senior-cats