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Life expectancy in cats has risen dramatically during the past few years. It is not uncommon for a cat to reach 18 to 20 years of age and they are middle-aged by their eighth birthday. Awareness of the needs of your older feline friend makes caring for her easier, enhances your experience and increases the quality of life she will enjoy.

Steps:

Maintain a close relationship with your veterinarian. Be certain he is aware of the rapid advances in this expanding area of veterinary medical knowledge. Some veterinarians specialize in care of geriatric cats.

Visit your veterinarian at least once a year for recomended vaccinations and a complete physical examination including a urinalsis, fecal exam and blood workup.

Allow preventitve health maintainence proceedures to be preformed as recomended.

. Be absolutly certain that she is parasite free - no fleas or worms allowed. Your veterinarian will know what is safe and effective for older cats.

Provide a diet formulated to meet the requirements of older cats. Nutritional requirements begin to change when your cat reaches about eight years of age.

Add extra fiber (one-half teaspoon of psylium fiber) to her diet each day, helping to prevent hair balls and improve overall digestive function.

Use suppliments such as chondroitin sulfate, antioxidents and glucosamine to help slow the aging process, the onset of joint disease and resulting inactivity.

Recognize that older cats love to be warm and comfy. Provide her with a heat source, like a heating pad set on low, throughout the year, not just when you think it's cold.

Realize cats, especially old cats, like their privacy. Provide them a place to take an uninterrupted catnap away from the kids and other pets.

Groom her daily to keep her coat shinny and prevent her from ingesting hair when she grooms herself. Older cats may not be as fastidious as when they are young.

Prevent her from becoming overweight by encouraging exercise and feeding a proper diet.

Keep her indoors for health and safty resons especially after she reaches 12 years of age.

Continue to play with and hold her each day. Cats love attention and your touch will let her know you that you still love and care for her.

Tips:

Expect your cat to live a long time. Remember, you often get what you wish for and the personality of an older cat is very rewarding.

Think about adopting a kitten when your cat is 10 or 12 years old. This gives her time to adjust to the little brat while she is young enough to defend herself and old enough to teach him something about life.

I have always beleived cats live longer when they have a companion to grow old with, so consider having two cats, not just one.

Tips from eHow Users:

Giving aged cats attention

Older cats prefer not to be disturbed during the day. I have found that they enjoy sleeping in the day, and getting attention at night. Interrupting your cat's sleep can lead to stress and grumpy attitudes.

Cats and Longevity

My cat is 18 and Ihave only taken her to the vet twice. I have cared for her through my own research knowing how traumatic it is for her to go to the vet. She goes outside in an enclosed area. Although she sleeps a lot now, she still finds time to bully my younger cat and be frisky if I put a string in front of her.

Cats may not have nine lives, but they can live longer than many people think. 18 to 20 years is common. Here's how to keep your cat purring into advanced old age.

Steps:

Take your cat to the veterinarian at least once a year for a complete physical exam, and follow your veterinarian's advice regarding preventive health-care measures. Preventing disease and maintaining optimum health are the first steps toward a long, healthy life.

Spay or neuter your cat as soon as possible. Having kittens, especially repeated litters, is stressful and will contribute to premature aging.

Keep your cat inside at all times to reduce the risk of accidents, injuries from fights or disease.

Feed your cat high-quality food designed to meet the specific nutritional requirements during all stages of his life.

Prevent obesity at all costs by controlling your cat's diet and engaging him in play activities.

Talk to your veterinarian about adding vitamin and mineral supplements, antioxidants and extra fiber to your cat's diet.

Have your cat's teeth cleaned professionally. Good dental health will add years to his life.

Groom your cat daily, checking for abnormalities, and seek medical help promptly when you discover anything suspicious (see related eHow 'Detect Skin Cancer in Your Pet').

Make sure no harmful chemicals such as pesticides or household cleaners find their way onto your cat's fur, since cats groom themselves with their tongues constantly. Even small amounts of harmful chemicals on their bodies can have adverse effects if consumed over many years.

Protect your cat from environmental dangers such as household cleaners and secondhand smoke.

Help your cat avoid the stress of harassment from other animals by providing a quiet place for undisturbed catnaps.

Provide your older cat with a heat source such as a heating pad set on low, since cats more than 12 years old require extra heat. You'll notice a difference in his attitude and activity level.

Give your cat daily full-body massages and lots of love. Despite their aloof demeanor, cats thrive on affection.

Tips:

Find a veterinarian with a special interest in aging who keeps abreast of advancements in this rapidly developing area of pet care.

Research this subject on your own. Experts' understanding of the aging process is changing rapidly, and knowledge gained about humans is often applicable to animals.

Warnings:

Call your veterinarian before giving your cat any product not specifically approved for cats. Some products, such as acetaminophen, commonly consumed safely by people or dogs, are poisonous to cats.

Tips from eHow Users

Down comforters for cats by Peggy

Instead of a heating pad, fold up your down comforter on the end of the bed. Your aging cat will sink into its own warm cocoon for all its naps. Warning: There may be disputes at bedtime over who really owns the comforter.

Raw diet is best

Consider changing your cat's diet to an all-natural, raw diet! It's amazingly easy, safe, affordable and most importantly, the healthiest for your cat or dog! There are many books out on raw dieting and it will dramatically change your kitty forever! Never give your cat or dog cooked bones. Raw bones are safe and encouraged, but cooked ones are unhealthy and will splinter, causing internal damage. Raw is not to be confused with cooked!