Cats with today’s healthier diets and lifestyles can expect to live much longer than they once did .The immune system is not as vital as it once was, but this can be helped with encouraging the intake of sufficient water and a good diet. Reducing and eliminating potential health risks can certainly go a long way.

 Being aware of changes in behavior and of regular habits can signal a need to take a closer look. This could include changes in appetite, in weight, urine spraying, tiring easily, activity level and abnormal reactions to the environment …things you can easily notice.

 Some preventive measures you can take can include daily brushing to control matting and to help calm your pet and reduce stress. Some forms of exercise are always recommended, as tolerated, along with a nutritious diet to suit his age and any diagnosed health issues; this can also be helpful in treating any urinary difficulties (where medical intervention is not required).

 When cats age, their grooming may need a little extra by you to avoid skin irritations and odor; these can be easy fixes, even trimming claws that may tend to become thicker and more brittle in later years. Hearing loss can be a common ailment as well as changes to the eyes, some of which have no significant effect on vision. Other health issues can include dental disease in the aging population (time to seek help from your vet when eating is disrupted and with any evidence of pain).

 Some of the diseases seen in humans can also affect older cats: diabetes; bowel disease; and some cancers. If your furry friend is demonstrating difficulty accessing his food and water dishes and his litter box, there is wonderful medical and therapeutic help out there for joint problems, or arthritis. Cats and dogs both benefit from the use of pet stairs and pet ramps, so they can comfortably reach areas now more challenging to them. These veterinarian recommended, high quality aids, provide safe and easy passage for special needs and for greater mobility in general. My experience with my older cat and dog has demonstrated this time and time again over the last three years.