In another article, certain aspects of, as well as conditions associated with, the feline aging process were covered at great length. One of the premises of feline longevity is that the housecat that is well cared for has a greater tendency at living longer than cats that spend time outdoors. Essential factors that promote longevity and allow your cat to enter their “golden years” in the best shape possible are:
· appropriate amounts of regular exercise
· good health care from the time they are a kitten
· proper diet and nutrition
· stimulating lifestyle and nurturing
Without these elements in place, they will be susceptible to a lengthy list of physical conditions, diseases, and other feline problems characteristically associate with the feline aging process. Here are 5 critical steps to perform as your cat ages so that they reach their geriatric years in the best physical condition possible.
Monitoring Specific Aspects of Behavior – it is imperative that you monitor three aspects of your cat’s behavior continually – bowel movements, urination, and water intake. Any change, no matter how slight, could be extremely significant. Conditions and problems that are caught in the earlier stages and addressed immediately could prevent dire consequences for your cat (and you).
Preventative Health Care – issues such as grooming, as well as dental, intestinal, and skin care and prevention of parasites should continue on an ongoing basis. You may want to consider brushing your cat’s teeth since periodontal conditions become more apparent as your cat ages. In order to optimize coat and skin health, proper grooming is recommended, and it is speculated that this is therapeutically beneficial as well.
Proper Diet and Nutrition - the following dietary adjustments may be of benefit to your cat:
Lowering caloric intake as they become less active and keeping an eye on their weight
Senses of smell and taste decrease as a cat ages so it may be necessary to afford them with more palatable foods (i.e. warm, moist foods)
Avoid excess phosphorous, protein, and sodium ingestion while increasing the intake of Vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, and E. The addition of unsaturated fatty acids and zinc are acceptable dietary modifications in older felines. Ask your vet for assistance.
Regular Exercise – regular exercise in older cats is paramount, especially for those felines that are suffering with arthritis. Even if your cat is strictly an indoor pet, it is wise to encourage them to play as well as avoiding sleeping for hours at a time. This helps to maintain proper bowel functions, as well as muscle bulk and strength factors.
Regular Veterinary Check-Ups – semi-annual check-ups are the recommended norm for an older feline. In so doing, there is more likelihood of catching serious problems early on – e.g. arthritis or cancer as examples.
Your cat’s lifestyle can be evaluated correctly by your veterinarian and once your cat reaches 10 years of age you need to adjust their daily health regimen accordingly.
In Photos: Model feline Lorenzo on the, er, cat walk
Cats are known for good grooming, but few have a sense of style. Now consider Lorenzo the cat, a notable and hilarious exception. The 2-year-old feline was recently profiled in an AP article because of his love of posing for the camera while wearing outfits.
Read more on The Newsroom via Yahoo! News
Rogue mobility aid traders targeted
Trading standards are cracking down on rogue traders who prey on vulnerable people, bullying them into buying overpriced mobility aids, the Local Government Association (LGA) has said. Related Stories Singer angry over X Factor axe Woman who dumped kitten in a wheelie bin facing cruelty probe Young women ‘vulnerable to STIs’ Cenotaph sex act woman arrested Roman ‘industrial estate’ unearthed
Read more on Belfast Telegraph
Woman caught dumping cat in bin ‘profoundly sorry’
A woman caught on camera dumping a cat in a bin says she is “profoundly sorry for a split second of misjudgment”.
Read more on The Age
Football attracting wider audience
Women and ethnic minorities are attending top flight football in greater numbers, according to research. Related Stories Camerons considering Cornish names Chantelle and Preston reunited Cat ‘joke’ was meant to be ‘funny’ Singer angry over X Factor axe Woman who dumped kitten in a wheelie bin facing cruelty probe
Read more on Belfast Telegraph
Product Description
“Christmas can never go by without my remembering a certain little cat.”
So begins The Christmas Day Kitten, another true story from James Herriot’s rich experience as a country vet. As always, the tale includes a vivid group of characters on two legs and four: Mrs. Pickering and her three stately Basset hounds, James himself, and Debbie, the self-possesed stray cat who makes a special contribution to Christmas at the Pickering house. This is one of James He… More >>
The Christmas Day Kitten
Cats make wonderful pets, and although they are traditionally very independent animals, they can also be very affectionate. The best way of gaining her love is to first show her that you love her. This article aims to give you some tried and proven techniques.
These techniques tend to work best with young cats, but if your cat is older, don’t despair- it may just take longer, so be patient with her. Use caution at all times, and be prepared to try again another day if she backs away or shows signs of fear. Until she has become used to you, always let her approach you rather than force attention upon her.
Cats will greet each other by rubbing heads or noses; obviously you may not want to rub noses, but you can get her used to having your head near her. Pet her and wait until she is in a relaxed and happy state, and then gradually move your head nearer to her; there is no need to talk whilst you do this, although some people find it helps to make small purring noises. Get down to her level; if you are standing up, towering over her, she can find this threatening. Crouch down if needs be- don’t loom over her as she will find this intimidating.
Some people like to nuzzle their cat, as this is how cats show affection to others. If you want to do this, start by gently breathing on her neck, and progress to gentle nuzzling movements round her head and neck. Exercise caution, however, as she could nip you if startled.
Cats love to play, even older cats, so make time each day to play with her. They love small, light balls, feathers, or anything which can be dangled, but don’t let them play with string or rubber bands unsupervised as these can be swallowed.
Some cats like to be groomed, others hate it- be prepared to experiment. If your cat enjoys this, it can be a source of pleasure for both of you. Never force her into being groomed however, and be prepared to stop when she has had enough or this will cease to be a pleasurable experience for her.
Talk to her often; let her get used to the sound of your voice. Use soft, quiet tones. Some cats prefer high pitched sounds; again, don’t be afraid to experiment.
With a little time, the bond between you and your cat could be closer than ever.
Categories:
Cat Grooming Tags:
Love, show
How 4chan Brought the Evil British Cat Bin Woman to Justice [The Internets]
# theinternets This week, the Internet was transfixed by the Evil British Cat Bin Woman, Mary Bale , who was caught on tape throwing a neighbor’s cat into a trash can. Guess who tracked her down? The web marauders of 4chan’s /b/ board. More »
Read more on Valleywag
