How to care for your cat
when it has reached its ninth life




    Lucky you. You’ve been able to enjoy your cat for a long time.   You’ve been
    able to let your cat enjoy its long life.  

    Habits of older cats
    But now you notice your cat is sleeping more and grooming less.  Your cat’s
    senses have grown weaker and they’re no longer good at hearing when
    predators or vehicles come near.  Your cat’s muscles have grown weaker and
    reflexes are slower.  Its immune system is more at risk.  Poor dental hygiene
    means it’s harder to chew.  Even so, your cat is more apt to gain weight
    because of lessened exercise.  
    Your cat is still enjoying every day and living it to the fullest.  It doesn’t think
    about an impending death, nor does it consider old age a curse.  Let that be a
    lesson for us.  
    Continue to enjoy your cat on a daily basis.  Spend more time with it.  Keep a
    positive attitude, but also keep an eye open for important signs of failing
    health.     

    Needs of older cats
    Your cat will need more frequent exams by the vet, including blood work to
    identify problems which can be treated to avoid getting worse---kidney
    disease, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, arthritis and infections.  The vet may
    suggest dental work, but you can ask the vet about the risks for putting your
    aging cat under anesthesia.  As an alternative, the vet may suggest that you
    change your cat's diet and offer more opportunities for your cat to drink fluids.  
    Smaller feedings are better.  Add a little bit of water to the moist food so the
    cat will get extra fluid.    
    Do not put your cat on a fast.  Your cat’s liver will not be able to manage the
    fast excretion of fats.         
    At home, your cat may need a change in her litter box size so it’s easier to get
    in and out of.  Check the litter daily for signs of diarrhea or constipation.  Let
    your vet know if this is happening.  
    Your cat may seek warmer places to sleep.  You may want to add a hot water
    bottle wrapped in a towel to its bed.  Don’t use an electric heating pad.  
    Your older cat may need your assistance in grooming, especially under the tail
    where it's harder to reach.  You can help there by cutting the hair shorter.  It
    may need you to clip its claws more frequently.  Offer a little extra massage on
    the cat's drying skin and fur to stimulate the natural oils.  While you do this,
    you can be feeling for any changes underneath the skin.  
























    The inevitable
    Eventually, even under the best of care, your cat will die a normal death.  
    Or you may decide that the pain your cat is under is sufficient to consider
    euthanasia.  Or, perhaps your cat has lost interest in everything, including
    eating and using the litter box, and you decide on euthanasia.  Or perhaps
    your cat has a great injury or a growing cancer, and euthanasia is the best
    answer.  
    Euthanasia is a quick and painless process.  The vet performs it in the office or
    at your home, and you can be present, or not.  If you're present, you will see
    that it's a peaceful and painless procedure.  The vet injects a narcotic to put
    your pet to “sleep,” a sleep deep enough that it will not awaken again.            
    There are many ways to deal with the cat’s remains.  Cremation or burial are
    both possibilities.  Talk to your vet about them.  

    Your recovery
    You’ll expect sadness and may very well be surprised at the depth and length
    of it.  Your pet was not “just a cat.”  It was your beloved companion.  You'll feel
    guilt, anger and a great loss.  The whole family will grieve, including your other
    pets.  When you grieve, your remaining pets will sense it and grieve with you,
    providing comfort for you through the hardest times.   
    You will all get through this period.  You will learn to remember the good times
    with joy.      
How to Care For Your Cat