Heck, who of us, at any age, don't appreciate a pedicure or a gentle brushing out of our hair?
Provide a "Home Spa" for your Senior Kitty
Imagine yourself living at a luxurious spa, where you'd receive regular manicures, facials, exercise, massage, and food designed to keep you fit. This is exactly the kind of treatment you'll want to give your senior cat, for both his physical and psychic well-being.
Trim his claws at least once a month, using these detailed instructions. Then follow up the "manicure" with a gentle massage of each pad, followed by a massage of each leg. Use a delicate pressure and move your fingers in a circular motion.
Keep Coat Clear of Tangles and Mats
Over a period of time, lack of self-grooming will cause mats to develop, which are not only unsightly and painful, but can provide a harboring place for bacteria and fleas, with resultant skin irritation. You can help prevent this by brushing your cat regularly - once or twice a day is ideal. But when mats develop, use the techniques in this article to remove them.
Even sedate old guys get a little frisky now and then, but you may have to make the first move to encourage him to play. Longtime skills will quickly come into play when a tempting bird on a string or other wiggly prey makes an appearance. Regular play will help keep muscles supple and joints lubricated, and will also help prevent depression. Precede the play period with a warm-up massage for added benefit.
Here are some of my favorite interactive toys for cats.
Stress can have as debilitating an effect on cats' health as it does to that of humans. Stress can come from many sources, and in older cats any form of change can be a stressor. Try to keep any optional changes to a minimum, and when changes must be made, use these tips to help minimize stress.
If your cat continues to be troubled with stress, consider using a Natural Stress Remedy.
The fifth and final lesson will approach a subject most of us don't even want to think about: the eventual loss of our cat. "When It's Time to Say Goodbye" will deal with making that rough decision, as well as learning some coping techniques to use during the necessary grief process that follows. Admittedly sad, but very essential reading.
