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Cats are known for their graceful demeanor and independent attitude. Their average lifespan is approximately 12 to 18 years. Cats over 3 years of age are deemed adults, and from the age of 11 years, they become senior cats.
Like most animals, cats’ eating habits also change with age – kittens often need more food as they require more energy, and adult cats require a moderate amount of food to have sufficient energy. Senior cats often have a smaller appetite compared to their younger counterparts. Therefore, pet parents should keep track of their cat’s changing food requirements. Read the following if you too have queries related to feeding cats or how to feed older cats.
Your senior cat’s health and well-being are directly linked to their eating habits. Cat caregivers need to be more vigilant while feeding senior cats to ensure that their feline friend is provided with the right amount of nutrition and nourishment.
As a pet parent, you need to be mindful when feeding your cat. It has different nutritional requirements at various stages of its life. Kittens need to be fed with uttermost care to ensure appropriate growth and development, adult cats need well-monitored feeding portions to avoid overeating, and senior cats need a regularised diet to maintain their health. Hence, senior cat food contains high-quality protein and added vitamin E for more bone and joint strength.
As cats grow older, their sense of taste and smell begin to fade. Senior cats also experience deteriorating teeth which affect their ability to chew. Hence, older cats’ caregivers need to take the following measures while feeding them:
Include softer food so that it is easier for your senior cats to properly chew the food
Add food with higher meat content to enhance the food’s smell and flavor
An old kitty or senior cat may need a small quantity of food with higher nutrients. Cat feeding tips help pet parents to provide the right nutrition and nourishment to their senior kitty. Here are a few essential tips that caregivers should consider when feeding their senior cats:
Even though the food requirements of cats depend on the kitty’s age, you should also take their health condition, weight, appetite, and lifestyle into consideration. Pet parents are also recommended to consult a veterinary doctor to understand their kitty’s health requirements, nutritional deficiencies, and underlying diseases before selecting a diet plan or senior cat food brand.
Average-weight senior cats need approximately 280 to 360 calories a day. Pet parents are often advised to feed their geriatric cats high-quality cat food depending on their weight, health condition, and nutritional deficiencies.
Ideally, your senior cat should be fed a small portion of high-quality cat food at least three to four times a day. However, if your kitty has digestive issues, then you should feed it smaller portions 10 to 12 times a day.
Yes, you should feed senior cat food to your older kitty as this type of food is specifically formulated for meeting their nutritional requirements.
The benefits of senior cat food are as mentioned below:
High fiber content for better digestive health.
Added vitamins for improved joint and bone health.
Cats older than 11 years are considered senior cats.
New cat parents often are unaware of the FVRCP vaccine and why it is essential to get their cats vaccinated for it. FVRCP vaccine stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia, and it is one of the core vaccines recommended for all cats. Feline rhinotracheitis is an infection that causes flu-like symptoms in cats. While this infection is common in outdoor cats, it can find its way to indoor cats as well. Calicivirus develops mouth ulcers and inflammation while panleukopenia attacks the cat’s immune system, putting its life in lethal danger. Hence, protecting your indoor kitty from these harmful viruses is essential for maintaining their overall health.
That’s where the FVRCP vaccine for kittens and cats comes into picture. It protects our feline creatures from three life-threatening viruses – feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, and panleukopenia. But before you get your fur baby vaccinated, let’s take a look at some important information about FVRCP vaccines for cats.
Although we know the FVRCP vaccine is crucial for a cat’s well-being, it is also necessary to know when and how to get your kitty inoculated with this combination vaccine. Given below are some essential details related to the FVRCP vaccine for cats that every cat parent should know about:
FVR is caused by the FVH-1 virus. It is one of the most fatal infections that a cat can contract. The FVRCP vaccine is a core vaccine for preventing rhinotracheitis in cats. Feline viral rhinotracheitis is a highly infectious illness that causes symptoms ranging from sneezes and conjunctivitis to fever and lethargy. It spreads through bodily fluids like saliva as well as eyes and nose discharge of infected cats. If not detected and treated in time, FVR in cats can prove fatal. The FVRCP vaccine will ensure that your pet develops immunity against feline rhinotracheitis.
Like feline rhinotracheitis, feline calicivirus (FCV) is another deadly virus in cats. This virus typically attacks the cat’s respiratory tract and oral organs. Calicivirus symptoms can range from upper respiratory tract diseases to mouth ulcers and inflammations. If you observe any signs of calicivirus in your indoor cat, take it to the vet immediate as you should start medication at the earliest. However, it is always better to keep such daunting health issues at bay through vaccination, and the FVRCP vaccine acts as an effective preventive measure.
Abbreviated as FPV, feline panleukopenia is a highly contagious virus that attacks the immune system of cats. It presents symptoms like fever, vomiting, and anorexia. Unlike feline viral rhinotracheitis, which causes flu-like symptoms or calicivirus which causes mouth ulcers and eye infections, FPV attacks the bone marrow and the lymph nodes. And this further decreases the white blood cell count in cats. With FVRCP vaccination, you can prepare your purrfect pal to combat this deadly virus.
Core vaccines are a must for all cats as they equip our feline creatures to fight off some of the most infectious and fatal viruses. FVRCP vaccine is one such core preventive measure besides anti-rabies vaccine for cats. FVR, FCV, and FPV are some of the most contagious viruses that easily spread through the body fluids of infected animals. Vaccinating your kitty with FVRCP enables its body to prepare antigens against these fatal viruses. Hence, FVRCP is said to be one of the core vaccines for cats.
Kittens are inoculated with the FVRCP vaccine every three to four weeks between the ages of 16 to 20 weeks. Booster shots are needed to ensure that the cat’s immune system is completely ready to recognise the vaccine components. These jabs also ascertain that the kitten's immunity is strong enough to combat these four deadly viruses as they age. The kitty should receive a final dose of FVRCP after it turns a year old. Post this, you should revaccinate your feline friend every three years to keep its immunity intact. Please note, the FVRCP vaccine cost depends on the brand you choose to inoculate your pet.
However, before scheduling an appointment for FVRCP vaccination, you must ask the following questions to your veterinarian.
What are the side effects of FVRCP and how soon do they wear off?
How to care for the kitty post-vaccination?
How many booster shots will the kitty need based on its lifestyle, age, and breed?
The FVRCP vaccine might cause some discomfort and minor side effects. While minor symptoms are common, it is best to visit the veterinarian if you notice any extreme signs of discomfort. Given below are a few of the most common side effects of this vaccine.
Redness or swelling at the injected site
Low-grade fever
Low appetite
Some cats might develop an allergic reaction to the FVRCP vaccine. If you notice your kitty vomiting, itching, or suffering from diarrhea, you must consult the doctor at the earliest.
