Your fluffy friend may have entered seniorhood, but playtime is essential to ensure health and wellbeing.
Although your older cat may not be as physically and mentally active as it used to be, brief sessions of gentle play will help it remain in shape and keep its mind sharp. Plus, engaging in games regularly will allow you to spend quality time with your furry friend and strengthen the bond you share with it.
Playtime helps kill boredom and lowers stress and anxiety in pets, so consider playing with your older cat frequently. This is one of the secrets to having a well-adjusted and satisfied cat at home. Yet, your cat may have to deal with several health issues due to its declining age.
Consider being prepared with the best cat insurance early on in your cat’s life because pet insurers don’t cover pre existing medical conditions. Inquire about the pet insurance cost online, then request and compare quotes from different insurers before signing up for the best-fit policy for your cat suiting your budget.
While you contemplate purchasing kitty insurance, read this article to learn a few tips to play safely with your senior cat.
First, is your senior cat healthy?
It is not uncommon for senior pets to be plagued by medical conditions that can affect their playing ability. For instance, running, jogging, and exhausting play sessions can put too much pressure on a cat’s heart, especially if it is already suffering from cardiac issues. However, a diabetic cat can benefit a lot from daily playtime.
It is advisable to design your cat’s daily activities based on its health status and needs. Also, remove games that can cause pain and discomfort, limit mobility, aggravate ailments or lead to dangerous/fatal health conditions.
When unsure, have your older feline examined by the vet and follow their advice. The vet might suggest therapies, medications, types of toys and play, duration, and frequency of playtime to make playing as pain-free as possible for your senior fur companion.
1.Select the right toys
Contact your vet for toy recommendations for your cat. Giving your furry friend appropriate toys is vital to ensure both fun and safety. Often senior cats enjoy playing with things that remind them of their younger days. So, don’t be surprised to find your older pet examining or playing with feather toys, wand toys, catnip toys, and more.
Low-intensity games, cat trees, puzzle toys, cardboard boxes, paper bags, and other simple things may be just enough to keep your aging pet active. Avoid including agility courses, jumping, twisting, and other actions that require immense physical strength in the games.
2.Stash away potentially hazardous toys
Put away the toys in a safe place to avoid ingestion and choking risks. Many a time, toys will have loose parts, can be broken easily, or chewed and swallowed. For instance, supervise your cat when it engages with yarn, threads, wires, and tiny objects.
3.Play often
Playing often helps your older pet stay younger. Although your furry baby may not move as quickly as before or be able to continue to play for long durations, moderate levels of activity are still needed to ensure its overall wellbeing, so provide it with just that.
Through all this, you should still consider being prepared with cat insurance because older kitties are susceptible to developing health issues and accidentally injuring themselves. Contemplate purchasing a policy because pet insurance cost can be more bearable than unexpected vet bills during needy times of health and emergencies.
