Enrichment for Senior Cats

October 29, 2024

Fluffy’s Sixteen and STILL Plays Like a Kitten!

Candilee Jackson

Introduction:

Having kittens and young cats underfoot and romping through the house like a herd of elephants is commonplace in most feline households. Since cherishing a cat is a long-term family commitment, at some point, the family cat will begin to show its age, and the romping slows, as does the sound of “elephants” on the stairs. But fear not:  This does not indicate the end is near! Many domesticated house cats can live well into their teens, especially when educated and wise pet owners both recognize and plan for their cat’s senior years.

What To Expect As a Cat Ages

Even the most energetic and frisky, athletic cat will slow down with age. Things to watch for:

• Decline in appetite
• Joint pain (osteoarthritis)
• Changes in hearing or sight
• Dental problems
• Obesity
• Cognitive dysfunction
• Litter box avoidance
• Aggression due to pain
• Less time grooming
• More time spent sleeping³

Senior Cats Need Physical Activity

“A lower energy level does not mean a cat is no longer interested in play. Physical stimulation and mental enrichment are just as important for a senior as they are for kittens.”¹ Just as human bodies age and change, requiring mental and physical stimulation, so does the body and soul of a cat. Cats older than ten years old need a savvy owner who researches and plans for the senior years, and with age-appropriate toys and stimuli, an older cat can still participate in entertaining games and play. “Cats of all ages require physical exercise and mental stimulation to remain happy and healthy.”¹ Consider five to fifteen minutes of interactive playtime daily, and add in some bonding time with grooming and petting.²

Entertaining a Senior Cat

To keep Fluffy’s mind sharp and her muscles limber, there are many ways to stimulate play and movement in senior cats. Inspect the toy basket: Are there toys that are hard on their teeth? Difficult on their joints? Is Fluffy bored? If so, re-evaluate her toys and research those that invite interactive play without endangering our feline friends. “Toys that promote batting, kicking, and rolling encourage joint and muscle movement in older cats. It is important to keep their bodies moving to help maintain a healthy weight and joint mobility. Wand toys and laser pointers are a wonderful way for owners to further encourage movement at their cat’s own pace.”¹ Install outside bird feeders as well as window perches and cat towers inside, near windows to stimulate “the hunt gene” present in every cat.

Activities to Avoid in Older Cats

If there’s a tall cat tower and/or scratching post, make sure it is senior cat-friendly. “Cats with arthritis or other mobility issues may have difficulty climbing towers or using vertical scratching posts, but this doesn’t mean they don’t want to. High places to perch and areas to scratch are important for a cat’s mental health and quality of life.”¹ You can help your senior cat by:

• Providing ramps and smaller steps to get to their favorite perches
• Trying flat or slanted scratching pads instead of vertical posts
• Trying carpeted ramps or pet stairs to help your cat onto the couch and bed at night¹

Indoor Activities for Senior Cats

As the saying goes, “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought him back.” Though older, senior cats will always be curious. Exploring is in a cat’s DNA, and paper bags (do not forget to CUT THOSE ROPE HANDLES!) and boxes (especially those from Chewy or Amazon) are a cat’s idea of kitty heaven. Be creative and use the boxes and bags in tandem to set up small mazes to stimulate their curiosity. To create a more sensory experience, “try bags with different textures which will produce different noises.”¹

Food puzzles and toys with treats are great ways to stimulate the hunter that lurks in every feline. Tap into that hunting instinct by letting your cat solve a puzzle or work for their food. This keeps them entertained and provides increased mental stimulation. Some toys and puzzles also promote movement through batting for extra physical stimulation.² To avoid obesity, “limit the intake of treats to less than five to ten percent of their total daily caloric intake.”¹

Activities To Avoid With An Aging Cat

Just as with humans, arthritis can be an issue in senior cats, and rough-and-tumble or strenuous activities can cause joint flares. Limiting jumping from high places, climbing stairs, or traversing slippery tile or marble floors can also cause problems for an older cat. A chat with a veterinarian can assist in modifying favorite, more strenuous games for a senior cat.

Conclusion

No one knows the behaviors and personality of the household cat better than its owner. As the cat ages, watch for changes in activities as well as behaviors. Adjust toys, playtime, and interaction so that Fluffy remains as active as she is comfortable. Spend quality time grooming and enticing Fluffy to play. “An active mind is just as important as an active body,”³ and a cat is never too old to be trained to learn something new. Human instincts and insights into the household pet are to be trusted. Use your veterinarian to assist in developing new playtime activities and toys that are the “purrfect” answer to the senior cat in your life.

Source Notes

1. “Five Enriching Indoor Activities For Your Senior Cat.” Vetster. May 01. Accessed July 01, 2024. https://vetster.com/en/wellness/5-enriching-indoor-activities-for-your-senior-cat
2.     LeeAnna Buis, CFTBS, FFCP. 2024. “Enrichment and Activity For Senior Cats.” The Preventive Vet. May 06. Accessed July 01, 2024.     https://www.preventivevet.com/cats/toy-and-activity-recommendations-for-senior-cats
3. Melody R Conklin, DVM, MBA. n.d. “Keeping Your Senior Cat Alive.” Zoetis Pet Care.     Accessed July 01, 2024. https://www.zoetispetcare.com/blog/article/keeping-senior-cat-active