Hi, I'm Hannah and this is my very first post! I have a few questions for those out there with experience with elderly cats. My cat Mokie is, as far as we know, between 17 and 19 years old (he was a young stray when we got him). He has hyperthyroidism, which he takes Methimazole for. His hearing isn't great and we know he must have arthritis. However, he seems to be fairly comfortable for an older cat. My mom has always taken care of his vet visits, etc. but it has become clear to me that she isn't willing to do much more than put down food once a day, pill him, and take him to the vet once a year.
What can I do to make him more comfortable? He doesn't groom himself anymore, and he hates being groomed--we have to hold him down to brush him. Last time we took him to the groomer he peed all over everyone and himself. The vet says he's too old to safely go under anesthetic to have his teeth cleaned anymore, we used to have him groomed when he was still woozy from his cleaning. His nails were really overgrown, but with dutiful clipping over the past month or so, they are back down to about normal (I don't think he can retract his claws very well).
Also, I have just started giving him a fiber supplement and adding some Omega-3 fish oil to his moist food. He's pretty skinny, and he doesn't eat much, even when we tempt him with 'people food.' He seems to prefer eating small meals often, so I am trying to provide that opportunity.
Is there anything else I can be doing, diet-wise to help him out? Any tips for making grooming a less-painful experience? And what about the arthritis, are there any herbal/home remedies anyone has had success with there?
Thanks! Sorry for the long post!
Hannah
What can I do to make him more comfortable? He doesn't groom himself anymore, and he hates being groomed--we have to hold him down to brush him. Last time we took him to the groomer he peed all over everyone and himself. The vet says he's too old to safely go under anesthetic to have his teeth cleaned anymore, we used to have him groomed when he was still woozy from his cleaning. His nails were really overgrown, but with dutiful clipping over the past month or so, they are back down to about normal (I don't think he can retract his claws very well).
Also, I have just started giving him a fiber supplement and adding some Omega-3 fish oil to his moist food. He's pretty skinny, and he doesn't eat much, even when we tempt him with 'people food.' He seems to prefer eating small meals often, so I am trying to provide that opportunity.
Is there anything else I can be doing, diet-wise to help him out? Any tips for making grooming a less-painful experience? And what about the arthritis, are there any herbal/home remedies anyone has had success with there?
Thanks! Sorry for the long post!
Hannah