Dental problems are more common in older cats. An ounce of prevention when they are young and just starting out helps promote good dental hygiene and see them through their elderly years. Word of warning- best to leave teeth cleaning to the veterinarians otherwise you are liable to end up with some very painful cuts on your fingers. Cats do not like people poking around in their mouths (even their loving and faithful owners- ouch!).
Bladder control problems
Bladder control problems plague some cats so an extra dose of patience and understanding is necessary to cope with your aging cat. Vomiting is very common in older cats as the digestive system doesn’t function as well as it did when your sweetie was young. Again be patient, and it would be a really good idea to keep a fair share of sponges, rags and cleaning supplies on hand for the accident days. I’ve cleaned up so much regurgitated food over the years (and stepped in some too!) that I can laugh about it now. When you love your cat(s) vomit becomes par for the course! I’ve become an incredibly good cleaning lady as I’ve had lots of experience. Another thing to be aware of is this, older cats sometimes misinterpret their positions when they are using their litter pans so it’s a smart move to put newspapers under the pan to catch any of the residual mess they very well might make.
Sense of balance
Senior citizen cats have a worse sense of balance than their younger counterparts. With this in mind, if you have a stubborn older cat who insists on jumping up on ledges, high shelves or windowsills, consider strategically placing stepladders or chairs near their favorite spots to make it easier for them.
Cats and laps
Lap cats tend to become more “lapalicious” as they age. If your young cat always wants to fall asleep on your lap when you sit down to watch television or red a book, prepare yourself for even more time on the couch or in your favorite chair as your cat ages. Get comfortable because you’ll be there for a while!