Good senior cat care is important for any cat owner. Proper nutrition, veterinary care, grooming, and exercise can become increasingly important as your cat ages. Dietary concerns and health issues can be among the most important things to deal with in regard to senior cat care.

As cats age, their digestive systems may begin to slow down. One marked change is usually in the metabolic rate of older cats, which is significantly slower than that of younger cats. It is important to make sure your senior cat eats a healthy diet. Since he will metabolize his food more slowly, portion control also becomes a serious consideration at this point, to keep your senior cat from packing on excess pounds. Obesity can exacerbate other problems associated with normal aging, so keeping your senior cat’s weight in check is important.

By contrast, some older cats may show signs of weight loss rather than gain. This is often a sign of dental health issues. As senior cats age, tartar built up on their teeth can lead to gum disease. Left untreated, this can cause mouth pain and even tooth loss among senior cats. If your senior cat shows a marked decrease in appetite, be sure to have his teeth checked; the cause of his reduced eating could actually be dental problems.

As cats age, their immune systems become less able to fight off infections and disease. Be sure to bring your senior cat to the vet each year to have her health checked. If your senior cat is normally a healthy breed and there are no breed-specific issues to be concerned with, you may still need to contend with age-related issues. Normal aging issues among cats include hyperthyroidism, hypertension, and diabetes. Some of these can be avoided through proper diet and regular exercise. As they age, some cats groom themselves less effectively; it is important to keep up with the grooming of your cat to avoid matting and an increase in hairballs.

Keeping your cat active through his senior years can help keep him healthy. While it is normal for cats to slow down as they age, of course, maintaining physical activity can help alleviate some of the painful side effects of aging. Play sessions may require a slower pace and may have to be of a shorter duration, but you should still encourage your senior cat to engage in regular play and exercise.

Senior cat care will help your cat progress into his older years in good health. Good regular veterinary care is more important than ever in the senior years. A nutritious diet and proper portion control, along with regular exercise, can also help keep your senior cat young.