Caring for an Older Cat – Keeping Her Safe and Happy

The diva above is our much, much, much beloved Prissy. She’ll be 18 in September – and, yes, I know how old that is in human years but won’t allow myself to think about it.

I was reading a few online articles and forum threads this morning about senior cats and dogs. Not only do we have Prissy, when my mom unexpectedly passed away in March, we got full custody of her much loved dog, Wednesday. He, himself is kind of long in the tooth – at least 12.

I learned a few things and thought I’d pass them along, in case any0ne else has a baby or babies that are “getting up there.” If you do, you know full well how it is to go searching for them when they’re out of sight for even a minute – I think I probably drive poor little Prissy crazy! I feel better after reading the following:

• There are lots of stories of cats living into their 20s.
• I found an account of a veterinarian who said that the oldest cat he ever treated was 31, and doing nicely!
• I read about a lady with a cat who, at 19, still ran and played with much younger cats.

Prissy moves a little bit slower – especially after she wakes up – and she’d rather be lifted than jump (but she will and can jump if a human isn’t handy), but otherwise she’s healthy, has a huge appetite and absolutely loves attention. She even “acts out stories” like she’s always liked to do: She’ll take off running through the house, then turn suddenly like something’s after her – then she’ll take off in the other direction. She had a good “rip” yesterday….she hit nearly every room, then collapsed in the office floor looking at me like I’d done something ridiculous.

As a matter of fact, she’s looking at me now. I think she knows she’s getting blogged up….. I just hope she doesn’t find out I gave her real age away. She lies, you know.

Shhhhh…
Joi

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