Basically, senior cats are just like people who are getting on in years: not everything works as well as it did when they were young. They have a few aches and pains, and sometimes, unfortunately, serious illnesses. And everything can slow down a little. It happens gradually: age becomes more and more noticeable over the years. Some cats age earlier, while others remain young and fit for longer. In any case, the aging process can be accompanied by good care.
At some point, you will notice that your cat's behavior is changing. They are no longer as alert and fit as they were a few years ago, they retreat more often, and sleep more than usual. Their urge to move has decreased, not least because their body is no longer as supple as it once was. Some cats show a lack of appetite and lose weight. Others may have become a little rounder.
Older cats often become more affectionate and display traits that have developed with age and deteriorating physical functions. A cat with poor eyesight will become more cautious, as will one that can no longer jump and run as well as it used to.
Some animals become insecure and more fearful as a result, needing their humans all the more, while others retreat more often to their safe haven. You will probably have gotten to know your cat well enough over the years and will sense how it is changing.
Cats are considered senior cats from around the age of ten. From this point onwards, you can start thinking about appropriate nutrition. Most cats are no longer as agile as they used to be at this age, and their metabolism often slows down – if they continue to eat the same food and get less exercise, this can lead to weight problems. Excess weight, in turn, can put strain on joints and the cardiovascular system. To feed your cat appropriately for its age, it is important to provide a diet that is low in phosphorus, low in calories, and high in easily digestible proteins. Special senior cat food is tailored to these needs.
If your cat is a poor eater, keep at it: keep offering small portions, preferably wet food, which also covers some of their fluid requirements. Older cats also tend to prefer wet food because it is easier on their teeth.
Continue to take your pet for the necessary preventive care. Unfortunately, diseases can develop in old age that are difficult for older cats to cope with, such as dementia and diabetes. If you keep a close eye on your cat, early detection is more likely.
Be forgiving with your aging feline friend. Give them the attention they crave. If they occasionally make mistakes due to absent-mindedness, be understanding—after all, a 14- or 15-year-old cat is already a senior citizen in human years.
Make sure that your pet's sleeping area, litter box, and feeding area are within easy reach. Your cat may also need a small ramp to get to its cozy spot.
Personal hygiene also becomes more challenging at this stage. The cat can no longer clean itself as thoroughly as it used to and will certainly appreciate it if you brush its fur more often. At the same time, this will allow it to feel your closeness and affection. After all, no one wants to grow old alone, not even our beloved feline friends.
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Some people love it when their pony's coat shines in all its glory and even sparkles here and there. It is groomed and sprayed, the mane is braided, and hardly a hair is out of place. But coat and hoof care is not just a matter of appearance. Regular brushing means much more than that.
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We always want the best for our four-legged companions: to care for them, spend quality time together, and share our world with them. But despite all our care and attention, accidents and emergencies can happen. With an emergency kit, you'll be well prepared. Of course, the kit is no substitute for a visit to the vet. But especially for minor accidents, sudden illness, and stressful situations, a well-stocked emergency kit is an important tool. And in an emergency, you may even save your dog's life if you have the right equipment and know what to do.
You've probably experienced a dog wagging its tail at the door even though the person who was greeted minutes later was nowhere to be seen or heard. It's well known that dogs have better hearing than humans. But did you also know that your dog can block out certain sounds?
Endocrinology is the field of medicine that deals with disorders of metabolism and hormones. Hormones are messenger substances that are produced in the ovaries or testicles and by the endocrine glands, such as the pituitary gland, thyroid gland, pancreas, and adrenal glands, and released into the blood. Hormones transmit information and thus control all important bodily functions.
Which horses get osteoarthritis? It very often affects older horses that have already covered many miles in their lifetime or those that have been actively involved in sport for some time. However, horses that have not had regular exercise appropriate to their species can also develop osteoarthritis. Basically, though, there is no general rule. It is also not easy to recognize osteoarthritis in its early stages. Sometimes, horse owners think that their horse is just experiencing a temporary period of overexertion when it has difficulty getting up from the straw. Or they believe that the cold winter is the reason why their horse is a little stiff-legged. After all, who likes to run around at minus 15 degrees Celsius? So where does osteoarthritis start and how can a horse owner best deal with it?
