September is Happy Healthy Cats Month! Cats are wonderful companions for seniors and owning a cat has been proven to have some big health benefits for seniors. Listening to a cat purr has mental and physical health benefits for seniors and can help them fight depression and stay connected to the world. Senior cats are the perfect match for elders and there are lots of senior cats waiting to be adopted. Cats are pretty easy to care for, but a senior home care aide who is attending to your loved one can also help with the car of the cat. Why not adopt a cat or two during Happy Healthy Cat month? It’s the perfect time to find out about that benefits of having a cat.
Here are some things that seniors, their families and senior home care providers should know about taking care of cats:
Senior Home Care Buffalo NY – Facts to Know About Caring for Cats
Diet Matters
What you feed a cat really does matter. Cats need a lot of protein and don’t do well on foods that are mostly vegetables or fillers. Feeding a high quality diet that contains mostly protein will keep the cat healthy and require fewer trips to the vet. If you’re not sure what to feed your senior loved one’s cat talk to their vet and get some recommendations for high quality foods that will fit your senior loved one’s budget. You don’t need to spend a lot of money to get a high qualify food.
Cats Hide Pain
Cats rarely show pain so if you notice that your senior loved one’s cat is acting differently than normal it’s a good idea to take it to the vet for a checkup. Or, if your parent’s senior home care provider tells you that the cat is not acting the way it usually does then go ahead and make an appointment for it at the vet. Some common signs of illnesses or distress in cats include not using the litterbox like they should, not eating, or hiding instead of being out in the open. If getting to the vet is a problem for your loved one ask about house calls or consider a mobile vet. Mobile vets are becoming very popular for seniors and others who can’t easily get to vet appointments with their pets.
Cats Sleep A Lot
Seniors shouldn’t be alarmed if their cat sleeps a lot. Cats normally sleep anywhere from 16-20 hours every day. Cats are most active at dusk and dawn and usually will sleep most of the day. That’s not unusual. That’s one of the reasons why cats are such great companions for seniors. They just want someone to cuddle with and nap with all day.
Cats Need To Play
Even though cats do sleep a lot they also do need to play. Playing satisfies their hunting instinct so it’s a good idea to play with them before meals if possible. A cat’s normal behavioral cycle is to hunt, eat, and sleep until the next time it needs to eat. Interactive toys like laser toys are a lot of fun for cats and are a great way to get seniors active and engaged also.
Sources: https://www.pawschicago.org/news-resources/all-about-cats/kitty-basics/a-cats-basic-needs
