Why Is My Cat So Needy In The Morning
Some cats are particularly demanding when you first wake up. You may find your cat nose-to-nose with you when you open your eyes in the morning. This suggests that the cat has been watching you sleep.
In reality, the cat has likely just been waiting for you to wake up. There are many reasons why cats can be needy at this hour, though. The likeliest is that the cat is just hungry. Many cats expect breakfast in the morning. Combat this by leaving out kibble overnight.
The cat may be bored. Cats enjoy patrolling at night, especially outside. The streets are typically quieter, which makes hunting easier. If the cat was locked inside, it may feel stifled. The cat has been waiting for you to get up and provide entertainment.
Many cats also look out of the window at night. In doing so, your cat may have been frightened. It could have seen, heard or smelled something that provoked anxiety. It is now seeking comfort from you in the warm light of day.
Many cats are clingy in the morning. In some respects, this is a compliment. Your cat has been away from you for several hours. It now wants to interact. If the problem does not extend to the rest of the day, dont worry too much. Enjoy your feline wake-up call.
Taking Care Of Your Senior Cat
The graceful lifespan of a cat is approximately 15 to 20 years, with the average around 15 or so. Advances in veterinary treatments and prescription diets together with an incline to the indoor-only rule has contributed to this greater life expectancy. Cats over the age of seven to eight years of age are considered senior. As they age, a cats dietary, exercise, and healthcare needs will also change, so its important that you monitor these changes closely.
Greencross Vets recommend that healthy older cats be examined by a veterinarian twice a year. Pets age much faster than we do and six months for a senior cat is similar to about three years for us, which is a significant amount of time for health problems to develop. Taking your cat to the vet for regular check-ups will help to detect problems earlier, resulting in a happier and healthier feline friend.
Signs Of A Demanding Cat
All cats look for attention from time to time. The cat will usually begin this request politely, gradually growing more agitated if ignored. Signs that your cat is looking for attention include:
- Circling around your feet
- Sitting on items that you are using, such as a computer or newspaper
- Meowing
If attention is not provided, or your cat is unsettled, it can become demanding and clingy. This can rapidly become a problem that will likely impact your bond. It should be recognized and managed as a matter of urgency. Examples of needy cat behavior include:
- Never leaving your side
- Constantly verbalizing, often at high volume
- Growing upset if separated from you by a closed door
- Refusing food unless you hand-feed it
- Unwelcome, destructive behaviors for attention
Do not mistake affection for neediness. Your cat may simply be expressing love and a desire to spend time with you. This does not always come naturally to a cat. You should embrace any positive body language and return them in kind. Acts of devotion from cats include:
- Licking
- Slowly blinking the eyes
- Leaving gifts
- Gentle head butting, also known as bunting
If these habits do not grow too excessive, they are nothing to worry about. A cat will only express love if it feels comfortable. If a cat refuses to leave your side, its likelier to be demonstrating insecurity than affection.
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Can Feline Dementia Be Cured
Sadly, there is no cure for feline dementia. The best that any owner or vet can do is slow down the decline with a combination of medication and lifestyle changes.
Selegiline hydrochloride is sometimes prescribed to cats experiencing cognitive decline. This compound is found in the drugs Selgian and Anipryl. As per Topics in Companion Animal Medicine, Selgian and Anipryl have also been found to slow cognitive decline in dogs, but research into felines is still ongoing. Many vets will prescribe these drugs for cats.
The more your cat thinks the slower dementia will take hold. Ways to achieve this include:
- Talking to your cat and encouraging conversation
- Playing puzzle games with your cat
- Providing a stimulating environment with smells, sights, sounds, and textures
Unfortunately, there are no miracle cures, and cognitive decline cannot be reversed. Living with a cat in cognitive decline is hard, so youll need a great deal of patience. Remember the good times you have shared together. Show your cat how much you cherish it by providing suitable end-of-life care.
How Old Should My Cat Be When She Dies
Few people want to admit that their beloved kitten is approaching her twilight years. While it is possible for cats to live into their 30s, like Crème Puff, who died at age 38, a more likely estimate of your felines life span is about 16 years. Here are some changes to expect as your cat enters her golden years. 1. More Talkative
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What Happens To A Cat As They Age
She might avoid some activities she used to enjoy, perhaps because she has lost interest, or because they cause her discomfort. As cats age, sometimes they become more aggressive, overreacting to loud or strange sounds or new people. On the other hand, your cat may react less to such stimuli because she simply does not hear or see as well.
Around age 11, cats enter what is considered the senior stage of their lives. From 11-14, cats are comparable to humans in their 60s and 70s. Although cats become old at around 11 years old, they dont become officially geriatric until the ripe old age of 15. At this point, theyre comparable to humans in their 80s.
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Increased Vocalization And Disorientation
Other behaviors to watch out for as cats get old are increased vocalization , especially at night time, and acting confused or disoriented. In geriatric cats these are common signs of cognitive dysfunction syndrome , a condition similar to dementia in humans.
While there is not yet a specific treatment for CDS in pets, certain diets, supplements, and prescription medications may help to reduce the symptoms. Ask your veterinarian for recommendations.
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Do Cats Calm Down In Old Age
When a cat becomes elderly, they will go through various changes. We have already mentioned they will lose their sexual drive, but this isn’t the only adjustment.
Cats are considered elderly from the age of 7 onwards, although this doesn’t mean they will necessarily act older at this point. It is common for active cats to remain active into their old age. However, their body will start to deteriorate. Their muscles, joints and bones will not be as strong as they once were. They may become tired easier and are more susceptible to health problems.
For these reasons, a cat may become calmer when they become senior. They will need to sleep more due to increased tiredness and their bodies will not be able to carry them as before. It is possible a hyperactive cat will also wear their body out sooner, although this can be counterbalanced by increased exercise.
Eventually, IF a cat becomes elderly enough, they will slow to the point they remain inactive for most of the day. Even a healthy younger cat will sleep 15-16 hours out of the day, but senior cats will do it even more so.
If you want to read similar articles to At What Age Do Cats Calm Down?, we recommend you visit our What you need to know category.
When To Say Goodbye
Cats can enjoy old age but sadly, there will come a point when your elderly cat is no longer getting an acceptable quality of life, despite your best efforts.
Cats dont necessarily show pain the way you would expect and even cats in extreme pain will purr.A marked loss of interest in their surroundings, food, play, grooming, and abnormal sitting or laying positions, or reluctance to move in general can all be signs your cat is in pain. More obvious signs include breathing difficulties and persistent vomiting.
No pet owner wants to see their cat struggling with hardly any positive experiences in their life. Considering your feline friends level of happiness and comfort will help you decide on when it is the right time to say goodbye. Euthanasia is never a decision taken lightly but is one that is made with your cats best interests at heart.;
Do not be afraid to ask your vet or vet nurse questions, or seek further advice. Experts and friends will help you make the right decision for your beloved companion.
For more information and guidance about end of life care and euthanasia, visit www.bluecross.org.uk/pet-advice/time-say-goodbye-your-cat
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How To Tell Your Cats Age In Human Years
07th March 2019
For their size, cats live quite a long time. Generally, an animals longevity is proportional to its size .
A tiny mouse has a short lifespan, a rabbit somewhat longer and a dog between 7 and 20 years depending on its breed or size, its activity, or both. Cats arent much bigger than rabbits, but whereas the rabbit may live about 8 years, a cat will live on average about 1214 years, and its not unusual for cats to reach their late teens or even their early 20s.
Feeding A Mature Senior Or Geriatric Cat An Age
- Manage weight
- Increase lifespan
- Maintain healthy skin, coat, and bodily functions
Senior cat food is formulated specifically for the nutritional requirements of aging cats. Serve it in dry or wet form. Because aging cats require increased daily water intake, serving canned food and/or leaving multiple water dishes around the house is always a good idea when possible. Feeding small, frequent meals 3-4 times a day will help senior cats digest food easier than serving fewer, larger meals.
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How Do A Cat’s Nutritional Needs Change As They Age
Nutritional needs vary depending on the lifestyle and age of the pet. So, you started with a kitten-formulated food that has more calories, different kinds of minerals, vitamins, and then as they age to adults, they have different necessities as far as their protein requirements, fat requirements, calories, and vitamins. Then you get to your senior geriatric stages in which they may need some things like joint supplements, probiotics, and different kinds of vitamins at that age to help them thrive. So, as they age, we have to consider these different lifestyles and we have to have an array of choices in order to change our pet’s foods.
Stages Of Kitten Development
Cats have a fairly brisk physical development, although not all will develop at the same rate. There are various factors which determine the duration of this period, but there are general stages of a kitten’s development. Hormonal and morphological start occurring as soon as they are born and can be broken down into the following stages of kitten development:
- Neonatal: begins with the birth of the kittens and usually lasts until the ninth day of life. During this time, the newborn kitten is completely dependent on their mother for survival. They have not yet opened their eyes and are mainly guided by smell and touch. They locomotor skills are limited, so they will stumble a lot.
- Transition: between their 9th and 15th day of life, the kitten undergoes a transitional stage after birth. This is when their eyes and ear canal open and their mobility and autonomy progressively increase.
- Socialization: a kittens’ socialization period begins around their second week of life and extends to the seventh or eighth week. At this time, the kittens are becoming even more independent and constantly play with their siblings. This is a key stage in the development of any cat. They learn how to interact with their environment and those within it. They will also try other foods in addition to their mother’s milk at this point.
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Managing Disease In Elderly Cats
As your cat ages, he or she becomes more susceptible to the myriad of diseases commonly found to plague elderly cats. Some of the more common ones include:
- Kidney Disease
- Litter Box Habits
- Lethargy
If you witness or suspect any changes in behavior or routine for your mature, senior or geriatric cat, we recommend making a veterinary appointment immediately.
Thinking About When To Operate On Your Older Cat
If an operation is necessary, your vet will carry out a thorough health check first, which may involve a blood test.
While veterinary surgery is never without its risks, vets today use advanced drugs and specialised monitoring equipment, meaning surgery is now safer than ever for our pets.
Your vet will take time to explain any risks associated with the operation prior to the procedure going ahead.
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What Is The Right Kind Of Food For My Aging Cat
When it comes to elderly cat care, its a good idea to ask your veterinarian for recommendations as to what food is best. Generally, a diet that is gentle on the organs and promotes metabolism is preferred. Cats between the ages of seven and twelve often gain weight so diet is especially important to prevent obesity, which can result in diabetes as well as predispose to joint disease. After the age of twelve, some cats lose weight, which is another issue that should be evaluated by your veterinarian.
When Does Your Beloved Cat Become A Senior
When your beloved cat becomes a senior, its more crucial than ever to provide the most comfortable life you can. Recognizing the symptoms of possible diseases is required on your part. And if your senior cat does need treatment and help, pain management is required on your part as well.
The short answer is that according to many vets, a cat is considered mature from age 7 and a cat is considered a senior from 11 years old.
When your cat reaches 5 to 6 years old, he is nearing middle age. While not yet considered a senior cat, he is at the age when you need to begin watching for age-related changes. Here is what you need to know to keep your cat healthy as he gets older. Physical and Mental Development. No one knows your cat better than you do.
When your beloved cat becomes a senior, its more crucial than ever to provide the most comfortable life you can. Recognizing the symptoms of possible diseases is required on your part. And if your senior cat does need treatment and help, pain management is required on your part as well.
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When Is A Cat Officially Classed As A Senior
12 August 2021
Blog Post
03 August 2021
We look at elderly cats, and when does a cat officially become a senior cat.
The senior years for our cats can be some of the best. While our cats will change, with the right care they can still enjoy their old age. Senior kitties still have a lot of good experiences ahead of them and a lot of love to give to owners.;
Tweaking your cats diet, environment, and routine can all give an OAP cat a better quality of life and that is what this series is all about. Well be looking at how you can adapt things to suit an ageing cat. To kick the series off though, we look at how we recognise old age in our feline friends and what we need to consider
Key changes:
Here are some key changes that can occur in senior cats:
;Hearing and vision loss: deteriorating hearing and vision may result in your cat becoming more anxious and less adaptable to change.
Mouth: dental health can decline leading to pain and a reluctance to eat. Remember, if your cat is losing weight at a rapid speed, it is important to get them checked out immediately for any underlying conditions.
Sense of smell: your cats sense of smell will deteriorate as he ages, which may result in a loss of appetite.;
Dull coat: a senior cats coat will often lose its condition and shine as it becomes more difficult for your cat to groom himself.
Joints: arthritis and general wear and tear can make a felines joints stiffer and painful.
Is My Senior Cat Dying
As cats grow older, illnesses become increasingly likely. Heart disease, cancer, and kidney failure become a greater risk in older cats. Senior cats also have weaker immunity, so respiratory infections and other illnesses take a greater toll.
Your cats health may appear to take a sudden turn to the worse. This is not as abrupt as it seems, as cats are adept at hiding pain and illness. However, your cat could have been sick for some time but hidden it from you. If your cat is reaching the end of its life, it will be more likely to display the following behaviors:
- Hiding or clinginess
- Heavy, labored breathing
- Seizures
If you notice these signs, your cat is not dying. However, if your cat is geriatric, it will be far closer to goodbye than hello. Prepare yourself for this in order to manage the psychological impact of the loss of your cat. You may also need to make a difficult decision. A dying cat may be in pain, so it could be more humane to consider euthanasia.
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