With proper care, today’s felines can live quite a long time. Some are even living beyond 20 years. But while the average life span is increasing, cats still reach their geriatric stage at around 10 years of age. Since getting older can impact all aspects of a feline’s health, owners must follow smart pet care practices that promote healthy aging. If you have a senior cat, here are a few ways that you—and a trusted feline vet—can help your furry friend get the most out of their golden years.

5 Health Care Tips for Older Cats

1. Address Changing Nutritional Needs

As animals get older, their overall need for calories drops. For this reason, senior cat owners should talk to a feline vet about a timeline to reduce their pet’s diet—and by how much. Doing so will help prevent your companion from gaining too much weight—a problem that can increase the risk of kidney disease and other age-related conditions.

2. Make Activities More Accessible

Arthritis can make it difficult for older cats to stay mobile and practice swift movements, such as jumping. But while their mobility may decrease, they still need to stay active. You can embrace this change by giving your pet toys that are more accessible. For example, you might switch out a tall cat tree for a low-profile cardboard scratching ramp.

3. Tend to Teeth

Impaired immune health and decreased hydration are just a few reasons why dental problems are prevalent among senior felines. That’s why you should brush your pet’s teeth every day with a cat-friendly brush and veterinarian-approved toothpaste. This regular teeth cleaning will help remove food debris and excess plaque—a risk factor for dental infections, tooth loss, and gum disease.

4. Accommodate Lost Sight

If your pet’s eyesight has been affected by aging, take care to maintain a familiar environment so they don’t get confused about where their essentials are located, such as their litter box and food dish. If you have an outdoor cat, it might be time to consider transitioning them to an indoor lifestyle where they won’t encounter as many hazards.

5. Schedule More Frequent Vet Visits

While cats go through many changes throughout their golden years, they aren’t always easy for owners to notice. Feline vets, however, can use routine check-ups as an opportunity to detect and treat potential problems early on. As such, it might be worth talking to your veterinarian about increasing the frequency of regular wellness exams.

Whether you’ve just adopted a kitten or have a senior cat, All Feline Hospital offers comprehensive care to help your pet age in optimal health. From cat vaccinations to emergency care, this feline vet in Lincoln, NE, will provide state-of-the-art solutions to prevent, detect, and treat common cat illnesses, including those that occur in old age. You can also count on this veterinary team to deliver gentle care that will make your visits as stress-free as possible. To learn more about these services, visit this animal hospital online. For appointments, call (402) 467-2711.