This guide is to help create a more comfortable environment for an elderly animal, or an animal with limited mobility.
Coming to terms with your animals age
When my cat turned 18, I really began to observe the changes in her physical movement and behavior. She was less active and playful, but more vocal and loving. I noticed she had difficulty jumping on the bed or couch, and I wondered if she was injured in some way. After some research, as silly as it sounds, I was shocked that she was considered an elderly cat, at least until I did the math. 18 years for a cat is considered 88 in human years, I couldn't believe my cat was so ancient. From that moment on it was my mission to make the rest of her life as comfortable as possible.
Limited mobility
When my cat was younger and she would jump and off of the bed with ease. Once in a while she would misjudge the distance and fall off in an undignified way.I remember giggling at the rare blunder, however; now it is no longer a laughing matter, especially when the fall results in a limp. When this occurred I stacked my large hardcover books by the foot of the bed in hopes that my cat would use it as a platform to help her up. From that day forward she would always use the books to get on the bed, and as a result she would spend more time with me reading or sleeping in bed.
Losing eyesight or hearing
I would often sit and watch puzzled as my cat circled her water dish aimlessly sniffing the air. Yet when I would fill the glass water bowl and place it in front of her she would drink with no hesitation. I wondered if she only wanted fresh water, a preference that may have developed out of nowhere. But when she wanted to drink from her green water dish on the porch, she would make a beeline straight for it. When I switched her green porch bowl for the glass kitchen bowl, she would find the green bowl with no difficulty in the kitchen too. At this point it finally sunk in that my cat's eyesight was fading and she was unable to see the clear water in a transparent glass bowl, unlike the green bowl. Now all my cats dishes are darker in color, and I always leave them in the exact same spot to ensure my cat is comfortable.
Why it's important
If your animal has managed to last until their elderly years, this means that they have spent a lifetime loving you. Helping them make the last of their years as comfortable as possible is the very least we can do. Cats independence is extremely important to them, so it may take some time before they adjust to the improvements we've tried to make. With time they will sacrifice a bit of that cat pride to accept your help. Making these small changes will ensure your cat lives a happier (and hopefully even longer) life.
