8 tips to help your cat age more healthily

Find out how to ensure the health and well-being of your pet so that he can enjoy many years with his family

Cats make great companions for humans, earning a special place in homes with their unique personalities. They are independent but affectionate and have the power to provide comfort and joy to their owners, making them true friends and family.

Compared to humans, cats’ life expectancy is relatively short, ranging, on average, between 13 and 20 years. This time can be extended or shortened depending on the care provided throughout your life.

Therefore, it is essential to adopt practices that promote the health and well-being of the animal, ensuring that it can age with quality of life and spend many years alongside its human family. Below, check out some tips for this!

1. Balanced diet

Taking care of your cat’s diet is essential to ensuring that it ages well. health and quality of life. A balanced diet provides the nutrients needed to keep the body functioning properly, strengthening the immune system, preserving muscles and helping to prevent common diseases, such as obesity, diabetes and kidney problems.

Therefore, consulting a veterinarian to adapt the diet to the cat’s health conditions and lifestyle is essential to prolong its longevity and promote well-being. “We must always trust a veterinarian to provide us with this information, because not only the breed, but also the activity level, space, climate, nutrition level, health and many other factors influence the choice of the best food,” says veterinarian Julio Miguel Fernandes.

2. Ensure constant hydration

Water intake is essential for kidney function, especially because cats are more prone to developing kidney disease. “Cats are not very used to drinking water. In nature they prefer to obtain it from their prey. For this reason they favor the consumption of game intestines, which are made up of 80% liquids”, explains veterinarian Roberto Tortelly Neto, co-owner of the TOCCA Pet Escola, a school that offers professional qualification courses in the pet sector.

You can therefore use sources that attract the animal, scatter containers with water around the house or include moist foods in the diet, such as pâté and sachets, which also contribute to hydration.

3. Take your cat to the vet regularly

Frequent visits to the vet are essential to monitor your dog’s health. cat. Early diagnoses allow for more effective treatments, improving quality of life. According to veterinarian Juliana Germano, visits are recommended at least once a year, regardless of the age of the animal, since physical examinations and annual vaccination are necessary. “This is if the patient is healthy,” he emphasizes.

For patients over 6 years of age it is recommended to include, in addition to the physical evaluation, tests to check the organs important for the longevity of the animal, such as the heart and blood organs.

4. Take care of your oral health

A healthy mouth makes eating easier and improves your cat’s overall well-being. As Luciana Capirazzo, a veterinarian at the Vet Popular Hospital and specialized in veterinary dentistry, explains, lack of care can cause everything from tooth loss to jaw fractures. Therefore, brushing teeth frequently and offering treats and toys to aid in cleaning are ways to prevent oral diseases in pets.

5. Check the cat’s weight

A study by the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences of the University of São Paulo, conducted in the city of São Paulo, showed that 40.5% of pets have weight-related problems, i.e. they are overweight or obese.

Maintaining a healthy weight throughout his life is essential for your cat to age healthily. This is because the obesity It can cause problems such as diabetes, joint and heart disease. Therefore, carrying out periodic checks at the vet, practicing physical activity and controlling the amount of food and snacks help to avoid excessive weight gain.

6. Stimulate the body and mind

As time passes, cats may become less active, but continuing to move is essential to prevent joint problems and cognitive decline. Use interactive toys, such as wands or balls, to encourage physical activity. Food puzzles and soft toys also keep the mind active, preventing boredom and stress.

“More than a luxury or a gift that owners give to their faithful companions, toys offer cognitive and sensory stimulation, help expend energy and are allies for the mental health of their pets. pets“, explains Ana Elisa Arruda Rocha, professor of the Veterinary Medicine course at UniCuritiba – an institution of Ânima Educação.

7. Up to date vaccination and deworming

Even if the cat doesn’t leave the house, keep it vaccines it is important to protect you from diseases. It is also necessary to maintain control of parasites, such as fleas and ticks, as they can cause ailments and transmit serious diseases. To do this, consult your veterinarian to define the frequency of application.

8. Offer daily attention and affection

Last but not least, the emotional bond with the owner is vital to the cat’s well-being at all stages of life. Take time to play, cuddle and simply be present. Affection strengthens the bond and promotes emotional health, reducing stress and increasing the animal’s happiness.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.