One way to keep your cat's brain as sharp as a kitten's is by playing food games with her. There are benefits for owners too.
Introducing Cats: Bringing Home a Kitten to Meet Your Senior Cat, How to Create an Accessible, Safe Home for Senior Cats. Veterinarian-written / veterinarian-approved articles for your cat. Any cookies that may not be necessary for the website to function and are used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Major Breakthrough in Managing Cat Allergens. Register now to receive updates about GPAW. I consent to Burgess Pet Care processing my personal information for the purpose described above. Play has many benefits for older cats, such as improved muscle tone and blood circulation. They can be dangerous when your cat attempts to play with them unsupervised, entangling limbs or being a strangulation hazard. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. Catnip is a plant related to basil and oregano. You dont want to frustrate your cat. The mere scent of this volatile oil is enough to give cats a euphoric rush that lasts for about ten seconds. For other ways to care for your senior cat, check out the articles in this category: Senior Cats. From introductions to holding, here's how to play with cats when kids are involved. However, if your cat has a mad-half-hour, dashing round the house at nine oclock at night, then you can safely surmise that this is a good time for a game. International Cat Care has compiled this handy list of cat etiquette: For more expert advice on playing with your cat visit International Cat Care. If your senior cat has a health condition, it may try to hide that weakness by becoming less playful and more aggressive towards the other cat.
If your cat eats a string, that string could get stuck in its intestines and cause an emergency medical situation. Cats have natural predatory instincts, which makes it easy to engage them in playtime activities. The personal information you provide will be used to send you Pet Club communications and to administer your Pet Club account. Food balls are probably the simplest form of brain teaser and basically consist of a hollow ball that can be filled with food or treats. Do something that requires more energy expenditure than just plopping them down in front of your cats sweet face. Our website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Regular veterinary examinations can uncover health conditions that may not be immediately evident to a cat owner. You'll get bonus points if you sew a string onto the sock so you can pull the catnip along the floor from a safe distance, making your cat chase it as you go. Reach out to her on Twitter @ReinventingErin or learn more about her at http://erinollila.com. Try using toysGet your cat some new toys. 3. [2] Make routine veterinary appointments for your senior cat. If your cat starts to slow down, or simply wants to stop, you can end the walk. The saying everything in moderation applies here, as too much catnip could cause an upset stomach. Cookie Consent Tool. Playtime doesnt have to be prolonged and has the most beneficial effects if its provided relatively frequently in short energetic bursts of activity. As cats get older, play is a great way to keep fit, lean and healthy, as well as keeping their brain alert and active something that remains important for the whole of their life. 6. This article had helpful info and advice that I trust. Some cats respond particularly well when a ball is rolled or thrown into another room or around a corner, as this gives them the opportunity to sneak up on their prey.. According to International Cat Care, as cats are creatures that thrive on routine, they will have regular patterns of activity that they are unlikely to deviate from. Tailor your exercisesAlways tailor any exercise program to your cats individual situation and abilities. You can make your own homemade healthy cat treats using Science Diet pet food. Hiding the food will allow your cat to explore your home, rather than staying in one spot all day. Article was somewhat helpful, but could be improved. By using our site, you agree to our, {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Play-with-a-Senior-Cat-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Play-with-a-Senior-Cat-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ee\/Play-with-a-Senior-Cat-Step-1.jpg\/aid8013506-v4-728px-Play-with-a-Senior-Cat-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"
License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> License: Creative Commons<\/a> Ask yourself: Anything that interests her and is safe is a good choice. First, hide mini meals throughout your house in place of a large mid-day meal.
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\n<\/p><\/div>"}, https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1016/j.jfms.2009.07.011, http://www.vet.cornell.edu/FHC/health_information/brochure_seniorcat.cfm, http://portsmouthvetclinic.com/veterinary/senior-cat-care.php, http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-checkups-preventive-care/6-simple-tips-exercising-your-senior-cat, http://www.preventivevet.com/cats/linear-foreign-bodies-cats-strings-a-dangerous-combination, http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/cat_toys.html, http://www.petmd.com/cat/care/playing-your-senior-cat, http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/cat-health/cat-checkups-preventive-care/6-simple-tips-exercising-your-senior-cat/page/0/5, http://www.cats.org.uk/uploads/documents/cat-care-leaflets-2013/EG16_Elderly_cats.pdf, https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/cornell-feline-health-center/health-information/feline-health-topics/loving-care-older-cats. One final tipdon't wait too long before implementing these cat exercises into your pet's everyday life. Use laser pointers, wand toys, feathers and the like to tempt and to tease your cat into playing. Cats love to climb and hide, so getting a cat activity centre could be a good investment although some cats will have endless fun playing in a selection of cardboard boxes. Toys that your cat can chase, such as a laser light, are great choices for your senior cat. 1. Youll both get a little bit of exercise in the process. Article wasn't very helpful and needs improvement. In general, you just might have to work a little harder at getting your older cat interested in a play session than you did when he was younger. If your cat enjoys toy puzzles, you'll need to store some extra treats in your home. Rabbit Awareness Week 2022 its a wrap! Games such as hide and seek and chasing a laser light encourage your cat to use its predatory instincts. Arthritis is common in older cats and can cause enough pain for your cat to discourage any desire to play. Finding games for your cat to play is a fun way to provide stimulation and strengthen that special bond the two of you share. Dilated pupils, ears flattened, frozen postures, crouched legs. Her writing can be found all over the internet and in print. Before making any changes to your cat's food, consult with your veterinarian. If you already have a cat condo, persuade your cat to continue using it by hiding healthy cat treats on different levels so she has to jump to enjoy her snack. Learn to help cats and kids enjoy fun and safe playtime together. 2. Your cat will swat and chase it all over your home. PLAYTIME TIP: Teach your kitten good manners and discourage them from scratching, clawing or biting. Your vet can give you recommendations on how to make adjustments. Cats love climbing, but senior cats who may experience arthritis will eventually have trouble climbing if it's not practiced regularly. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Adjust your interactive play to keep things lower and see if that encourages him to play more.
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