How will getting older impact the health of my cat?
As cats age, their organs start to slow down which may cause a decrease in their activity levels.
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How do a cat's nutritional needs change as they age?
Aging cats may require joint supplements added to their diet. Additionally, they may have difficulty breaking down certain food components. Therefore, I always recommend a senior diet for them.
What are some signs and symptoms that your cat may be slowing down?
Signs that your cat may be slowing down include difficulty getting up, unusual behavior, and hiding in corners.
What are some health complications or diseases that are commonly experienced by senior cats?
Senior cats are prone to health complications such as arthritis, cancer, and heart disease.
What kinds of preventative care can help extend the life and health of my cat?
I recommend annual blood work and at least yearly physical exams. However, these exams may need to be more frequent depending on the cat's health. We also may recommend other diagnostic procedures.
Why are wellness exams and regular checkups important for senior cats?
Regular checkups allow us to identify any irregularities early on, enabling us to address any potential issues before they become severe.
What tests might a senior cat need?
A senior cat may require blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds, or echocardiograms.
What is the most important thing to know about caring for a senior cat?
It's important to remember that each cat ages differently.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Senior Care - FAQs 1
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are some things I can do to make my aging cat more comfortable?
Ensure that they have comfortable bedding, they're getting proper nutrition, and they're moving about regularly.
How do I know if my senior cat is in pain?
Cats are adept at hiding illnesses, but if your cat is shaking, trembling, or not as eager to get up as they usually do, these could be signs of pain.
Does my senior cat need to be vaccinated?
Yes, because as cats age, their immune system becomes more compromised. It's crucial to maintain their immunity as much as possible.
How do I know if my senior cat has a good quality of life?
If your cat continues to enjoy their usual activities such as looking out the window, chasing birds, and eating well, these are usually signs of a good quality of life.
Why does my senior cat sometimes yowl at night?
Just like humans, cats can also experience dementia as they get older, which may lead to their yowling at night.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Senior Care - FAQs 2
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
What are some things I can do to make my aging cat more comfortable?
Ensure that they have comfortable bedding, they're getting proper nutrition, and they're moving about regularly.
How do I know if my senior cat is in pain?
Cats are adept at hiding illnesses, but if your cat is shaking, trembling, or not as eager to get up as they usually do, these could be signs of pain.
Does my senior cat need to be vaccinated?
Yes, because as cats age, their immune system becomes more compromised. It's crucial to maintain their immunity as much as possible.
How do I know if my senior cat has a good quality of life?
If your cat continues to enjoy their usual activities such as looking out the window, chasing birds, and eating well, these are usually signs of a good quality of life.
Why does my senior cat sometimes yowl at night?
Just like humans, cats can also experience dementia as they get older, which may lead to their yowling at night.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram
Cat Senior Care - FAQs 3
Dr. Amanda German
Loch Haven Veterinary Hospital
How do I evaluate my senior cat's quality of life?
If they're still enjoying the things that they're doing, if they're still watching everything with interest and eating well, then they have a good quality of life.
What are the signs that my cat is dying?
Not wanting to get up and move, laying there, unresponsiveness, labored breathing, yelling.
How do I know if my cat is in pain?
Sometimes you don't. Sometimes they're just laying there. Sometimes it's again with the labored breathing or the tremoring and sometimes it's just not wanting to get up.
What is the difference between hospice and palliative care for my senior cat?
Palliative care means that we still have other options that we can see if they help with any issues, whereas hospice, we're just trying to keep them comfortable.
What is euthanasia for a senior cat?
Euthanasia means that we're going to give them a little sedation and then we give them another drug that just helps slow everything down until it stops.
How can I tell it's time to euthanize my cat?
If they don't have any good quality of life, if they're hiding, if they're having trouble breathing, if they're just laying around and not enjoying life anymore.
Would it be better to let my senior cat pass away on its own?
Not usually. A lot of times they're suffering, so they need to be brought in for euthanasia.
If you still have other questions and you'd like to reach out to us, you can call us directly at (407) 896-0941, or you can email us at [email protected]. But please do reach out, and we'll get back to you as fast as we can. Don't forget to follow us on social media Facebook, Instagram