Older cats are sometimes overlooked at playtime because they seem disinterested or too frail to enjoy physical activity. But play has benefits at any age. It strengthens bones and muscles, burns calories and reinforces both social and cognitive skills. “Many people think their older cat doesn’t want to play, but it’s more a matter of what that cat likes and they way it wants to play,” say, Elizabeth Colleran, DVM, president of the American Association of Feline Practitioners. ” Does he like noise, feathers, toys he can carry around in his mouth? Cats are all different.”
In play, “cats are maintaining their bodies by stretching and moving in ways that are good for their flex ability and joint mobility,” adds Colleran, owner of the Cat Hospital of Portland in Oregon. She says most cats over age 9 have some arthritis, so play that involves stretching “is hugely beneficial. It’s cat yoga.”
Running and jumping activities improve the cardiovascular system and help reduce weight. Senior cats also need cognitive exercise and the mental challenges of play. Just giving a variety of activities, changing it up a lot, is good for their brains.
Read More
Cat Groomer
If you have older cats, knowing the signs of an older cat dying can help you prepare for the inevitable. By using this information, you can try to help a beloved animal reach a comfortable, quite and peaceful place at the end of their lives.
There are many physical symptoms that can signal that your pet is about to pass away. Some of these symptoms include the following:
*Eyes – A Cat that is dying may have a glazed look to his or her eyes. Both pupils may be dilated or just one eye may be dilated. The eyes may also have a sunken-in appearance.
*Fur- Some cat may begin shedding in large amounts or lose clumps of fur before they die. In other felines, their will look ruffled or messy; their fur won’t lie down smoothly as it normally did.
*Breathing-When a cat is on the verge of dying, it may breath erratically , make gurgling sounds or make wheezing noises. Some cats will appear to stop breathing, only to begin breathing again. In other cases, the cat may pant or exhibit shallow breathing.
*Mouth-Animals may drool and let their tongue hang out of their month. Other cats may keep their mouths open.
*Body- A cat may have spasms as it begins to dies. This will make the cat arch the head and neck backwards. This is a sign of brain seizures that many older animals experience.
*Voice- Animals that are dying may yowl or purr, depending upon their individual circumstances. Some animals make no sound at all.
Read More
