I'd like to hear people's experiences with geriatric cats. What types of changes did you notice with them? What changes did you make to accommodate their needs? What sort of medication or supplements did you introduce for them? I ask this specifically to get more ideas on how to manage my 16 year old Stumpy, but want to use this as a general thread for everyone's benefit.
Stumpy turned 16 this past April and he is noticeably changing. He has started to MEOWL for no apparent reason, and his MEOWL is at the level of a scream. My vet and I have come to the conclusion that he is going deaf and he meows because it has unnerved him. He screams because he no longer has any idea how loud he actually is. He stops when I call out to him (it comforts him), and I've noticed that I have to call louder and louder for him to hear me. He also sleeps very hard these days, and the vet suggested that he might be sleeping better because he isn't being woken up from sounds in the house.
He has a hard time retracting his claws. He is constantly getting his claws caught in any furniture with broad woven fabrics. He struggles to get his claws removed when he gets stuck. I've had to put velour throws or sheets on the things he likes the best, and when I see him attempting to get up on things, I'll run over and place him on it. His claws tend to get stuck when he jumps up on things like the sofa.
He also struggles with getting up on things. We feed the cats on vanity in our bathroom and I've built a ramp for him there. He likes the dining room table so I always leave a chair pulled out slightly for him to use as a step. Last night I had to put a ramp by the bed because he has started to struggle with getting up there. When he can no longer get up at chair height, I'll be putting in ramps for the sofa and chairs.
I haven't made changes to his diet other than giving him more of the food that he likes the best. He LOVES wet junk food and dog food. His evening meal starts out with a bit of Friskies canned, followed by a few kibbles of dog food. I haven't resorted to changing his breakfast routine (yet).
He gets a minimum of 2 physical exams a year with complete blood work done each time. But I will get him to the vet immediately when something seems off with him. He's been to the vet 4 times in the last year. I weigh him once a month to make sure he isn't losing weight.
So what things can you share about your old babies?
Stumpy turned 16 this past April and he is noticeably changing. He has started to MEOWL for no apparent reason, and his MEOWL is at the level of a scream. My vet and I have come to the conclusion that he is going deaf and he meows because it has unnerved him. He screams because he no longer has any idea how loud he actually is. He stops when I call out to him (it comforts him), and I've noticed that I have to call louder and louder for him to hear me. He also sleeps very hard these days, and the vet suggested that he might be sleeping better because he isn't being woken up from sounds in the house.
He has a hard time retracting his claws. He is constantly getting his claws caught in any furniture with broad woven fabrics. He struggles to get his claws removed when he gets stuck. I've had to put velour throws or sheets on the things he likes the best, and when I see him attempting to get up on things, I'll run over and place him on it. His claws tend to get stuck when he jumps up on things like the sofa.
He also struggles with getting up on things. We feed the cats on vanity in our bathroom and I've built a ramp for him there. He likes the dining room table so I always leave a chair pulled out slightly for him to use as a step. Last night I had to put a ramp by the bed because he has started to struggle with getting up there. When he can no longer get up at chair height, I'll be putting in ramps for the sofa and chairs.
I haven't made changes to his diet other than giving him more of the food that he likes the best. He LOVES wet junk food and dog food. His evening meal starts out with a bit of Friskies canned, followed by a few kibbles of dog food. I haven't resorted to changing his breakfast routine (yet).
He gets a minimum of 2 physical exams a year with complete blood work done each time. But I will get him to the vet immediately when something seems off with him. He's been to the vet 4 times in the last year. I weigh him once a month to make sure he isn't losing weight.
So what things can you share about your old babies?