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Exercise for elder cats?
My cat is 11 years old. I would like to get her to exercise more because I know it is important to a cat's health. Do you have any suggestions on how to get an older cat to move more while not hurting them?
CML gave great advice. So how much does she move around? Some cats her age still get around a lot but I am guessing she doesn't move a whole lot since you are concerned.
Hi Lisa,
I always tell people to treat your beloved aging cat like a beloved aging mother or father.
What ever you think an aging loved one would want to make their life more comfortable....just adapt... to cat:
Exercise IS important as we age , but you will notice an elderly cat will not be able to climb as they once did, sometimes you must even lower their litter boxes and raise their food and water bowls due to an arthritic hip or neck.
My cat has asthma , but loves to chase her "Mousey", she is 9 years old now and she will let me throw it for the chase only so many times before she gives me the "Give Up sign, which is her laying flat out on the floor"
We do this first thing in the morning and then I will play interactively with a feather. Now for this she just lays on her back and I pretty much I do all the work.
Try to play interactively with your cat to be sure you are monitoring her breathing. If she is huffin and puffin, it is time to stop. Some cats will find their favorite toys during the day and bat them around a little, since most cats have the attention span of a ant, playtime will be over just after it gets started.
In my opinion the most important thing you can do for the elderly cat is to make them feel they are still a special part of the family, even if it means moving a nice heating pad warmed bed in the Family room so they can be a part of the action. We never want our beloved best friend to ever feel they are no longer important and ignore them. That is how elderly cats spend their last days in a Rescue...and it is a troubling thing to see.
Senior cats should see the vet once a year for a complete health checkup--diabetes, kidney disease, Hyperthyroidism will sneak up on you as they age and they will need specific meds to help them along.
Try to brush your baby everyday with a VERY soft brush so they will feel beautiful, since aging makes it difficult to get to those hard to reach grooming places. This is also a wonderful way of keeping that loving bond between you and checking for any lumps or skeletal irregularities.
Make climbing to their favorite height's easy by placing steps for them to walk up instead of jumping up. Try not to make them have to jump down from things as their bones are becoming brittle and arthritic.
Senior cats will loose body heat, so never let them sleep on a tile floor. Always have a fluffy bed even with a heating pad on low for warmth. At night they may even want to be covered up to keep warm.........
...........and OMG I have just described the things my stepchildren are NOW doing for me. (except for the litter box adjustments, yea, pretty much!!) See treat your elderly cat like YOU would want to be treated when you get old and grumpy-----
They have been there for you most of your life. Through the good and the bad, now it is time to be there for our beloved kits when they need a little help......and that is LIFE!
Best of Luck to you and your lucky Senior Citizen!
CML
I always tell people to treat your beloved aging cat like a beloved aging mother or father.
What ever you think an aging loved one would want to make their life more comfortable....just adapt... to cat:
Exercise IS important as we age , but you will notice an elderly cat will not be able to climb as they once did, sometimes you must even lower their litter boxes and raise their food and water bowls due to an arthritic hip or neck.
My cat has asthma , but loves to chase her "Mousey", she is 9 years old now and she will let me throw it for the chase only so many times before she gives me the "Give Up sign, which is her laying flat out on the floor"
We do this first thing in the morning and then I will play interactively with a feather. Now for this she just lays on her back and I pretty much I do all the work.
Try to play interactively with your cat to be sure you are monitoring her breathing. If she is huffin and puffin, it is time to stop. Some cats will find their favorite toys during the day and bat them around a little, since most cats have the attention span of a ant, playtime will be over just after it gets started.
In my opinion the most important thing you can do for the elderly cat is to make them feel they are still a special part of the family, even if it means moving a nice heating pad warmed bed in the Family room so they can be a part of the action. We never want our beloved best friend to ever feel they are no longer important and ignore them. That is how elderly cats spend their last days in a Rescue...and it is a troubling thing to see.
Senior cats should see the vet once a year for a complete health checkup--diabetes, kidney disease, Hyperthyroidism will sneak up on you as they age and they will need specific meds to help them along.
Try to brush your baby everyday with a VERY soft brush so they will feel beautiful, since aging makes it difficult to get to those hard to reach grooming places. This is also a wonderful way of keeping that loving bond between you and checking for any lumps or skeletal irregularities.
Make climbing to their favorite height's easy by placing steps for them to walk up instead of jumping up. Try not to make them have to jump down from things as their bones are becoming brittle and arthritic.
Senior cats will loose body heat, so never let them sleep on a tile floor. Always have a fluffy bed even with a heating pad on low for warmth. At night they may even want to be covered up to keep warm.........
...........and OMG I have just described the things my stepchildren are NOW doing for me. (except for the litter box adjustments, yea, pretty much!!) See treat your elderly cat like YOU would want to be treated when you get old and grumpy-----
They have been there for you most of your life. Through the good and the bad, now it is time to be there for our beloved kits when they need a little help......and that is LIFE!
Best of Luck to you and your lucky Senior Citizen!
CML
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