Does your elderly loved one have a pet cat or two (or three or four)? September is National Happy, Healthy Cat Month so now is a great time to review if your loved one is still able to provide the care her cat needs and if she isn’t, look into some ways you can help her keep her cat healthy and happy.
Why Cats Are Great for Seniors
Cats are great pets for seniors. They are generally easy to take care of (no daily, long walks needed) and require little direct attention. They’re smaller animals so even if your loved one’s living space is small, there’s almost always room for a cat.
Pet ownership in itself is a positive experience for many seniors. Pets provide companionship when they are lonely, they provide a purpose and responsibility for your loved one, and they provide unconditional love that’s not dependent on how your loved one looks the money she has, or her status in the community. Cats can be lifesavers for those who feel lonely and disconnected.
Five Tips to a Healthy, Happy Cat
A healthy, happy cat will live longer and do less damage around the home, making it a better pet, and reducing the stress that a pet can sometimes cause. Here are five ways you can help your loved one’s cat stay happy, healthy, and at home with your loved one.
- Provide yearly regular checkups. A healthy cat needs a bit of preventative care. A vet can determine if the cat’s weight is healthy, how its teeth are looking, and if the cat needs any preventative medication like heartworm medication or flea prevention. If your loved one is unable to bring her cats to the vet herself (they can sometimes offer a lot of resistance), consider having a home care provider help with kenneling and getting the cat ready for a vet visit.
- Have plenty of toys and activities available. A happy cat likes to play and explore its environment. Your loved one can receive tons of joy from playing silly games with her cat and keep her living space free from damage by providing items like scratching posts.
- Provide a clean home for the cat. While cats are fairly easy to care for, the one thing that everyone complains about is the litter box. Taking care of this area is important for both the cat’s health and your loved one’s health (not to mention the smell of her home). If it is too physically demanding to clean and refill the litter box, a home care provider can be recruited to make this part of their responsibilities when they visit.
- Feed it properly. One of the most common health concerns with cats is being overweight. Because they are not extremely active, especially as they get older, it’s very easy for a cat to become overweight and that can cause other health problems. Your loved one should follow the vet’s recommendations for how much her cat should eat and limit the amount of treats she receives.
- Groom the cat. While cats like to groom themselves, providing regular brushing can help prevent matting, hairballs, and skin infections. If physical limitations make grooming difficult for your loved one, have her home care providers help with brushing when they visit.
A happy cat will bring much joy to your loved one for years to come.
If you or an aging loved one are considering Home Care in Carencro, LA, please contact the caring staff at BrightCare Homecare today. Call (337) 279-5466
BrightCare Homecare is a top provider of home care services in Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, New Iberia, Breaux Bridge, Carencro, Opelousas, Sunset, Crowley, Abbeville, Scott, Cecilia, Port Barre, Iota, and the surrounding areas.
Through a personalized care plan, BrightCare Homecare provides the necessary services and care to cater to your unique personal and health needs. With us, we ensure around-the-clock services and supervision to help achieve optimum health and wellness.
We are a top provider of home care services in Lafayette, Youngsville, Broussard, New Iberia, Breaux Bridge, Carencro, Opelousas, Sunset, Crowley, Abbeville, Scott, Cecilia, Port Barre, Iota, and the surrounding areas.
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