Older Cats

[Tatyanna]

I was just wondering what your experiences are or have been with older cats....
I've lost 2 to old age in the past few years...one was 20 and the other 18...both Siamese...both were traumatic..

 

[Tatyanna]

I guess this isn't an interesting topic but with so many pet lovers out there I thought that you might be interested in sharing some of your thoughts on older cats..I have another Siamese who is going to be 15 and still acts like a kitten...she doesn't jump and leap as well ...

 

[Sabina41]

It's never hard to have an older pet. Working at an animal hospital the thing I recommend most to people with cats 8 and older (and especially 10 and older) is routine bloodwork. Cats are prone to hyperthyroidism and renal failure, both of which can be caught early with bloodwork and managed. Many other conditions can be caught early. So it might be another $90 a year but it could entend the life and happiness of your pet, and isn't that worth it?

 

[Gargantuas]

I have noticed one of the biggest problems with older cats is weight. Many tend to get chucky and less active. This can lead to diabetes.

Also many sit around and say the cat food is not as good as it was when they were younger. Kittens have it easy nowadays. I had to walk 10 miles up hill in the snow just to catch a mouse.

 

[Tatyanna]

It's never hard to have an older pet. Working at an animal hospital the thing I recommend most to people with cats 8 and older (and especially 10 and older) is routine bloodwork. Cats are prone to hyperthyroidism and renal failure, both of which can be caught early with bloodwork and managed. Many other conditions can be caught early. So it might be another $90 a year but it could entend the life and happiness of your pet, and isn't that worth it?

One of my Siamese had renal failure actually and we had to put him down after months or intravenous hydration...

 

[Tatyanna]

I have noticed one of the biggest problems with older cats is weight. Many tend to get chucky and less active. This can lead to diabetes.

Also many sit around and say the cat food is not as good as it was when they were younger. Kittens have it easy nowadays. I had to walk 10 miles up hill in the snow just to catch a mouse.

My 15 year old Siamese is still skinny... I had 2 Tuxedos that we adopted from a shelter 5 years ago ...a brother and a sister...they are getting fat... feed them all the same kind of food....

 

[Fangtastic]

wow,you're fortunate..my cats only live to be about 8-10

 

[Snoofles]

how do you get them to live so long? the longest we've had a cat has been 12-15 years.

 

[Fangtastic]

15 is still amazing. I wonder if it's in the breed. Siamese do have longevity.

 

[Snoofles]

all of ours hve been mutts for cats (what the heck do they call cats who are mixed with tons of different things anyway?)

 

[Fangtastic]

mixed breeds..wow,the light went on.

I do get the feeling that NOT feeding your cat all dry food is best,plus as they age I know with mine he goes to the vet for regular worming.I don't even know how old he really is. We think close to 8 or 9,sure has a bit of tooth tartar!

 

[Snoofles]

mixed breeds..wow,the light went on.

I do get the feeling that NOT feeding your cat all dry food is best,plus as they age I know with mine he goes to the vet for regular worming.I don't even know how old he really is. We think close to 8 or 9,sure has a bit of tooth tartar!

patchy can't eat the dry food much anymore either cuz of the tartar build up. she was getting sick everyday because she wasn't able to get enough to eat. for a while we thought it was because of her bladder problem, but, then she stopped getting sick once we started feeding her a fourth of a can of foodness twice daily.

 

[Fangtastic]

But older cats need dry and moist don't they??

 

[Snoofles]

yes, i believe so. she'll eat it still too, but not nearly as much as when she was younger. how is your orange one doing?

 

[Fangtastic]

Good, butaging.Sleeping alot more. Seems more laid back and had a good physical- just getting older I guess. He has a hard time switching foods. He also cannot jump down like he used to so I notice.

 

[Snoofles]

awwwwwwwwwwwwwww. ((((((((((ob))))))))))) it is hard seeing them get older. they are such gifts, and i'm thankful God does bless ourlives with the furry creatures.

 

[Tatyanna]

wow,you're fortunate..my cats only live to be about 8-10

Siamese seem to have a longer life expectancy...

 

[Tatyanna]

how do you get them to live so long? the longest we've had a cat has been 12-15 years.

The are strictly house bets and I feed them a regular diet of Iams for adults w/ hairball control and most important no table food..

 

[Tatyanna]

all of ours hve been mutts for cats (what the heck do they call cats who are mixed with tons of different things anyway?)

Little sweethearts...I also have 2 Tuxedos...they're half feral and are going on 6yrs ......nicest little critters...My Siamese cat is such a "Queen"...and mostly only nice to DH and myself...

....

 

[Jdmessenger]

My father brought me home an alley kitten (Orange Tabby) that he found in the town he worked. I was seven at the time and "muffin" lived for 21 years! He was the King of the block, my friend/protector, and my bestfriend. When he died, it was traumatic, but, I have his memory alive with me all the time. He was a gift from God to get me through some hard times and I loved him so much. We had a lot of fun and laughs too!