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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.
Since most feline creatures do not like water, bathing a kitten can seem to be a daunting task. Yet, as a cat parent, you cannot give up. You must bathe your kitty, especially to desensitise them to the experience and prevent skin problems. However, most first-time cat parents do not know how to get started with bathing their kittens. If you are one of them, fret not! With patience and a gentle approach, you can turn bathing time into a positive experience for your feline friend. So, read on! This article takes a deep dive into how to bathe a kitten.
Before you go on to bathing your kitten, do not forget to trim its nails. Feline creatures do not hesitate from clawing anyone or anything that triggers discomfort in them. Not even their own caregivers. Similarly, there are multiple other things you must ensure while bathing your kitten. Let's explore them in brief:
Brush your kitten's fur
Kittens shed all year long. Like humans, they might shed in excess while bathing, and that might clog your draining system. Hence, it's best to brush your kitty's fur thoroughly to get rid of the loose fur before you place it in the bathtub.
Pick the right time
Your kitten is going to oppose the bathing time with full force when it is highly energetic. However, when it is tired and exhausted, your pet might just let you do your thing. So, bathe your newborn kitty after tiresome activities like playtime, exercise, etc.
Use a kitten-specific shampoo
When bathing your kitty, go for a bottle of shampoo that is specifically developed for cats. And avoid shampoos used by humans at all costs. As cats groom themselves, chances are that they may ingest some shampoo residue left on their fur.
Rinse thoroughly
Use a cup or small container to rinse off the shampoo from your kitten’s fur, ensuring that water doesn’t get into its ears, nose, or eyes. Since you want your kitty to feel comfortable during the bathing session, avoid using extremely hot or cold water. Instead, go for a few degrees above lukewarm. Moreover, run your fingers through its coat to evenly distribute the water.
Shower your kitten with treats
When you are done bathing your kitten, reward it with treats immediately. Playtime and treats can help your feline friend resonate bathing time with fun moments. Treats can also come in handy to distract your pet if it starts to get anxious.
Every time you bathe your kitty, you must dry it thoroughly. In fact, it is one of the most important aspects of learning how to wash a kitten as damp fur can lead to skin problems. However, you do not want to vigorously rub a towel on your pet’s fur. It will only cause discomfort and irritation. Since bathing is a stressful experience for most kitties, you need to be extra careful while drying their fur up. So, here’s a step-by-step guide on drying your kitten’s coat:
Step 1: Place your kitten on a clean and dry towel.
Step 2: Wrap your kitty in the aforesaid towel.
Step 3: Sit on a chair with your pet on your lap and allow it to calm down.
Step 4: Press the towel gently against your kitten’s fur to get rid of excess water.
Step 5: Continue to press dry your kitty’s fur until its damp and not soaking wet.
Cats and kittens have an aversion to water due to their ancestral history. These feline creatures were once desert-dwelling animals, which means they rarely encountered rains, lakes, or rivers. Hence, all types of water – except drinking water – is alien to them. And that’s probably why your fur baby tries to resist the bathing session. However, being gentle with your little kitty can prevent issues and make the whole experience a little comfortable for it. Moreover, do not submerge your furry friend under running water and keep its bath time as short as possible.
Note: If your kitten continues to show extreme distress during bath time, consult a veterinarian.
Now that you know how to bathe a kitten, go on and help your pet groom. The time spent bathing your kitty provides you two with an opportunity to establish an unbreakable bond. Moreover, it will familiarise your kitten with your touch, fostering trust and strong cat-owner relationship.
