Litter Getter Review

Cats make a house a home but litter box smell can make home life nothing but strife. Litter box issues can spring from a variety of issues. If your vet has ruled out physical or emotional problems and the box is kept clean and accessible, Litter Getter might help attract your cat to the box — and not the carpet or bed.

Sprinkle some Litter Getter on top of the litter and the scent promises to attract cats to the box. This can be particularly helpful for blind or elderly cats. The all-natural ingredients include herbs mixed with soy oil and rosemary extract.

According to the company’s website, they were inspired by Jackson, a blind cat. Jackson’s progressive loss of sight made it difficult for him to find the litter box. So his family eventually created a product that helped not only Jackson — but cats everywhere. We were intrigued, so we wanted to try Litter Getter with Stanni and Lennie.

First off, the granules had a vaguely grassy scent that blended nicely with the pine litter.  We did consider the very detailed directions a bit of overkill. Just open the container and add a dusting on top of the litter and lightly mix it in.

Now, the real test. What would Stanni and Lennie do? Stanni picked up the scent immediately. She marched over to the box, sniffed intently and walked away. Maybe she was simply processing the smell but 2 minutes later she was in the box. She didn’t seem to love it or hate it but Litter Getter got her attention. She had the same reaction on Day 2. So by that standard, Litter Getter works.

Lennie seemed to react like a typical young male. The scent attracted him pretty quickly but his first reaction was to sniff, dig and kick litter all over the bathroom. He seemed quite proud of himself. It neither attracted him nor repelled him from the box.

Our take: Litter Getter can be an effective way to draw elderly or sick cats to the box and we endorse any product that helps seniors. The ingredients are natural but check with your vet to make sure your cat doesn’t have any issues with any ingredient.

Watch the video below to see Litter Getter in action as Aries the cat gives his review.

Remember, daily litter maintenance is a must to keep your cat — and you — happy. Petfinder.com offers the following tips for keeping cat box odor at bay:

1. Scoop the box daily or more.

2. Replace the litter twice a week.

3. Replace the litter box once a year.

4. Try litter deodorizers.

5. Find a brand of litter that smells best to you (and your cat).

6. Keep the litter box in a well-ventilated area.

We would like to add our own thoughts to No. 5. Heavily-scented clay litters can aggravate breathing issues for your or your cat. While we believe the cat always wins when it comes to choosing the litter, always consider natural products such as pine or wheat-based litter. Better for your cat; better for everyone’s health and environment.

Please leave a comment if you have used Litter Getter or any “litter training” product. We’d love to know what you think.

OCR’s Cutest Senior Cat Contest Rules

1. HOW TO ENTER. To enter the contest, eligible individuals must create and upload a photo (“photo”) of their senior cat (animal should be at least 8 years old, either living or deceased). The photos should be named with the cat’s name and age. All photos must comply with the requirements detailed in Section 3 below. All photos becomes the property of OldCatsRule and will not be returned or acknowledged. Entries must be received by during the contest period.  Limit of one (1) entry per person. Void where prohibited. All entries received by the end of the contest period that are complete, meet the requirements below, and otherwise meet the eligibility and other requirements set forth in these Official Rules will be judged in accordance with the judging criteria in Section 4 below. Entries or any other material documents that are forged, altered, incomplete, or generated by a macro, bot, or other automated means will not be accepted and will be void.
   
   
2. ELIGIBILITY: This contest is open only to legal residents of one (1) of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia and Canada who are at least 18 and the age of majority in the state where they reside at the time of entry.
3. PHOTO REQUIREMENTS: Photos must meet the following requirements or they will be disqualified:

• The photo should be submitted in jpeg, TIFF or PNG format.
• The photo must be submitted through the OldCatsRule contest page on Facebook.
• The photo must not infringe, misappropriate, or violate any rights of any third party including, without limitation, copyright, trademark, trade secret, or right of privacy or publicity.
• The photo must not contain any commercial or corporate advertising (including, without limitation, corporate logos, brand names, and slogans), recognizable branded products, artwork or political, personal, or religious statements.
• The photo must not include information or content that is false, fraudulent, deceptive, misleading, defamatory, threatening, trade libelous, slanderous, libelous, disparaging, unlawfully harassing, profane, obscene, pornographic, hateful, indecent, or injurious to any individual, Sponsor, or any third party.
• The photo must not contain any harmful or illegal activity or in any way violate any federal, state, or local laws or
• Entrant agrees that his/her participation in the contest and agreement to these Official Rules. .
• Entrant agrees to indemnify the Released Parties (defined below) against any and all claims from any third party for any use or reuse of the photo.

By entering the Contest, each entrant represents and warrants that he or she has obtained all of the rights, licenses, and permissions from each person who appeared in or helped to create the photo Submission and from the locations appearing in the photo Submission. If the same photo is entered in the contest more than once, only the first entry will be eligible. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify, decline to display and remove from the Web site any entry or photo that, in its sole discretion, refers, depicts, or in any way reflects negatively upon the Contest, or any other person or entity or does not comply with these requirements or these Official Rules. Photos must be suitable for presentation in a public forum, in the sole determination of the administrator.
1. SELECTION OF WINNER: Eligible photos will be judged by votes from fellow contest entrants in conjunction with the administrator. If there is a tie, the tie will be broken by the entry with the higher score in the quality of performance category. The winner will be notified that he/she may have won a prize in this contest by mail, telephone or electronic mail (at administrator’s sole discretion) on or about November 29, 2013.
2. VOTING: Throughout the contest period eligible photos, if any, will be posted for public voting on the web site/blog and possibly other web sites to be determined at the sole discretion of the administrator. Entrant may be disqualified in administrator’s sole discretion if any voting software, macro, bot, or any other automated or improper means is used to vote in the entrant’s favor.
3. PRIZE:The entrant with the winning photo, subject to verification, will receive the following prize: coupons good for 6 months’ worth of World’s Best Cat Litter.
   If legitimately claimed, the prize will be awarded. All taxes and other expenses not specified herein are the sole responsibility of the winner. No transfers, prize substitutions, or cash redemptions will be made. Administrator reserves the right to substitute the stated prize or portion thereof with another prize or portion thereof of equal or greater value for any reason, including, without limitation, due to the prize unavailability. No more than the stated prize will be awarded.LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY: EACH ENTRANT AGREES TO RELEASE, HOLD HARMLESS AND INDEMNIFY JUDGES, SPONSOR, ADMINISTRATOR, MOVEMENT PROMOTIONS AND EACH SUCH ENTITY’S PARENT COMPANIES, DIVISIONS, SUBSIDIARIES, AFFILIATES, ADVERTISING, PROMOTION, AND PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCIES, AND THE RESPECTIVE OFFICERS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTATIVES AND AGENCIES OF EACH (COLLECTIVELY “RELEASED PARTIES”) FOR ANY LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR INJURIES OR DAMAGES OF ANY KIND SUSTAINED IN CONNECTION WITH THE PRIZE, OR ARISING FROM THE USE OF THE WINNER’S NAME OR LIKENESS IN THE OLDCATSRULE BLOG, TWITTER PAGE OR FACEBOOK PAGE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY INJURY, DAMAGE, DEATH, LOSS, OR ACCIDENT TO PERSON OR PROPERTY. WINNER AGREES THAT THE PRIZE IS PROVIDED AS-IS WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR GUARANTEE, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, WHETHER NOW KNOWN OR HEREINAFTER ENACTED, RELATIVE TO THE USE OR ENJOYMENT OF THE PRIZE, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ITS QUALITY, MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. FURTHER, NO RESPONSIBILITIES ARE ACCEPTED FOR ANY ADDITIONAL EXPENSES, OMISSIONS, DELAYS, OR RE-ROUTING RESULTING FROM ANY ACTS OF ANY GOVERNMENT OR AUTHORITY.
   I UNDERSTAND THAT I MAY BE WAIVING RIGHTS WITH RESPECT TO CLAIMS THAT ARE AT THIS TIME UNKNOWN OR UNSUSPECTED, AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH WAIVER, I ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE READ AND UNDERSTAND, AND HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVE, THE BENEFITS OF SECTION 1542 OF THE CIVIL CODE OF CALIFORNIA, AND ANY SIMILAR LAW IN ANY STATE OR TERRITORY, WHICH PROVIDES AS FOLLOWS: “A GENERAL RELEASE DOES NOT EXTEND TO CLAIMS WHICH THE CREDITOR DOES NOT KNOW OR SUSPECT TO EXIST IN HIS OR HER FAVOR AT THE TIME OF EXECUTING THE RELEASE, WHICH IF KNOWN BY HIM OR HER MUST HAVE MATERIALLY AFFECTED HIS OR HER SETTLEMENT WITH THE DEBTOR.”
4. LICENSE:By entering, except where prohibited by law, each entrant grants to Sponsor and its agents and assigns in perpetuity, the absolute right and permission to use, edit, modify, cut, rearrange, add to, delete from, copy, reproduce, translate, separate, dub, adapt, publish, combine with other material, reuse, adapt, and exploit the content of and elements embodied in the Videos, entries, and the entries themselves, in any and all media, including but not limited to digital and electronic media, computer, audio and audiovisual media (whether now existing or hereafter devised), in any language, throughout the world, and in any manner, for trade, advertising, promotional, commercial, or any other purposes without further review, notice, approval, consideration, or compensation. Each entrant agrees that the licensed entities may, but are not required to, attribute a Video to an entrant. Each entrant waives and releases the Released Parties from any and all claims that entrant may now or hereafter have in any jurisdiction based on “moral rights” or “droit moral” or unfair competition with respect to the Released Parties’ exploitation of entries without further notification or compensation to entrants of any kind, and agrees not to instigate, support, maintain, or authorize any action, claim, or lawsuit against the Released Parties and each of their affiliates, licensees, or any other person in connection with this Contest, on the grounds that any use of any entry, or any derivative works, infringe or violate any of entrants rights therein.
   Each entrant acknowledges and agrees that nothing in these Official Rules will require Sponsor to use the Video in part or in whole or to include the Video in any Sponsor-related property, including, without limitation, the OldCatsRule web site or commercials.ADDITIONAL DISCLAIMERS:The Released Parties are not responsible and/or liable for any of the following, whether caused by a Released Party, the entrant, or by human error: any lost, late, incomplete, illegible, mutilated, or misdirected entries or mail or postage-due mail; any error, omission, interruption, defect or delay in transmission or communication; viruses or technical or mechanical malfunctions; interrupted or unavailable cable or satellite systems; errors, typos, or misprints in these Official Rules, in any Contest-related advertisements or other materials; failures of electronic equipment, computer hardware or software; lost or unavailable network connections, or failed, incorrect, incomplete, inaccurate, garbled or delayed electronic communications or entry information.
   Each entrant hereby acknowledges and agrees that the relationship between the entrant and any of the Released Parties is not a confidential, fiduciary, or other special relationship, and that the entrant’s decision to submit the photo for purposes of the Contest does not place any of the Released Parties in a position that is any different from the position held by members of the general public with regard to elements of the photo, other than as set forth in these Official Rules. Each entrant understands and acknowledges that Sponsor has wide access to ideas, designs, and other literary materials, and that new ideas are constantly being submitted to it or being developed by its own employees. Each entrant also acknowledges that many ideas, designs or performance styles may be competitive with, similar to, or identical to the photo and/or each other in idea, performance style, format, or other respects. Each entrant acknowledges and agrees that such entrant will not be entitled to any compensation as a result of Sponsor’s use of any such similar or identical material that has or may come to Sponsor from other sources. Each entrant acknowledges and agrees that Sponsor does not now and shall not have in the future any duty or liability, direct or indirect, vicarious, contributory, or otherwise, with respect to the infringement or protection of the entrant’s copyright in and to the photo or any other materials submitted by entrant. Each entrant acknowledges that, with respect to any claim by entrant relating to or arising out of Sponsor’s actual or alleged exploitation or use of any photo or other material submitted in connection with the Contest, the damage, if any, thereby caused to the applicable entrant will not be irreparable or otherwise sufficient to entitle such entrant to seek injunctive or other equitable relief or in any way enjoin the production, distribution, exhibition, or other exploitation of the OldCatsRule properties or any other production based on or allegedly based on the Video, and entrant’s rights and remedies in any such event shall be strictly limited to the right to recover damages, if any, in an action at law.
5. GENERAL RULES:By entering the contest, entrants agree to follow and be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Judges, Sponsor, and/or Administrator which are final and binding in all matters relating to the contest. By entering the contest, (except where prohibited by law) each entrant consents to the use of his/her cat’s photo, likeness, biographical data, and/or any information contained in his/her entry in advertising, promotion, and marketing materials throughout the world, including, without limitation, on the internet, by the Sponsor, its agents, licensees, promotional partners, and third party marketing entities, without additional compensation, notice, review, or approval. Failure to comply with these Official Rules may result in disqualification from this contest. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to void entries of any entrants who Sponsor believes have attempted to tamper with or impair the administration, security, fairness or proper play of this Contest. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, modify or suspend the Contest for any reason, including, without limitation, if the Contest is not capable of running as planned for any reason, if there is any suspected or actual evidence of electronic or non-electronic tampering with any portion of the Contest, or if technical difficulties compromise the integrity of the Contest. Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, void suspect entries and/or votes that violate these Official Rules. The use of any automated launching or entry software or any other mechanical or electronic means that permits some one to automatically enter or vote repeatedly is prohibited. Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that or any other provision. In the event there is a discrepancy or inconsistency between disclosures or other statements contained in any Contest materials and the terms and conditions of these Official Rules, these Official Rules will prevail and govern. In the event of a dispute as to the identity of an entrant based on an e-mail address, the entry in question may be disqualified subject to the Judges’ or Sponsor’s sole discretion. Any person who supplies false information, obtains entries by fraudulent means, or is otherwise determined to be in violation of these Official Rules in an attempt to obtain any prize will forfeit any prize won and may be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT TO DAMAGE ANY ONLINE SERVICE OR WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATIONS OF THE CONTEST VIOLATES CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. IF SUCH AN ATTEMPT IS MADE, ADMINISTRATOR MAY DISQUALIFY ANY PARTICIPANT MAKING SUCH ATTEMPT AND MAY SEEK DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
6. DISPUTES/GOVERNING LAW/VENUE:Except where prohibited, as a condition of participating in this contest, each entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this contest, the prize awarded, or the determination of the winner shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. Further, in any such dispute, under no circumstances will an entrant be permitted to obtain awards for, and hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental or consequential damages, or any other damages, including attorneys’ fees, other than entrant’s actual out-pocket expenses, and entrant further waives all rights to have damages multiplied or increased
   This contest and any dispute arising under or related thereto (whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise) will be governed by the laws of the State of New York, without reference to its conflicts of law principles. Any legal actions, suits or proceedings arising out of this contest (whether for breach of contract, tortious conduct or otherwise) will be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in New York, N.Y., and each entrant accepts and submits to the personal jurisdiction of these New York courts with respect to any legal actions, suits or proceedings arising out of or related to this contest.
7. WINNER’S LIST/OFFICIAL RULES: To find out who won, send your request and a legal-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope to: OldCatsRule, 60 West 142nd St., New York, NY 10037. Requests must be received no later than six (3) months following the end of the contest period. For a copy of these official rules, print these rules, or send your request and a legal-size, self-addressed, stamped envelope prior to end of the Contest Period to: OldCatsRule 60 West 142nd St., New York, N.Y. 10037.
8. SPONSOR:The Administrator of the Contest is OldCatsRule, 60 West 142nd St., New York, NY 10037.

The Cutest Senior Cat Contest 2011

We’re baaaaack.

November is Adopt-a-Senior-Pet Month, so to honor our furry elders, we will have OCR’s third annual Cutest Senior Cat Contest. It’s an “American Idol” for cats — without the comments from Simon or Paula. It’s simple, fun and best of all, the top cat wins coupons for six months’ worth of World’s Best Cat Litter. The winner will have their choice of regular, clumping or scented formula. And that’s not all… we decided to do coupons, so our friends in Canada can take part. CLICK HERE TO ENTER.

To join in the fun, simply upload a photo of your senior cat (age 8 and older) and include their name and age. OCR’s community will vote for the feline who embodies the cat-itude that makes seniors so very special. Remember, it is important to include all the information on the form and your cat’s age. Cats that have crossed the Rainbow Bridge are also eligible. You can submit an entry from November 1 to 14; voting will be from the 15th to 22nd and the winner will be announced on November 29th.

While we love puppies and kittens, this contest is one small way the get the word out that seniors have so much love and wisdom (yes, wisdom) to offer. This will be the first year I’ve done the contest without Bubba, the inspiration for OCR. Although he lives on through OCR’s wonderful community and my memories, this year’s contest is specially dedicated to him.

Yes, It’s Been a While

What can I say? The stress of long-term unemployment has taken a toll. We posts items daily on OCR’s Facebook page but have decided to resume the blog when we find a job.

Thank you for your support and kind words.

Hope to see you soon.

— OCR

And the Winner is…..

Hana didn’t need a contest to be a star. For 16-and-a-half years, this lovely girl brought happiness to her family. Unfortunately, time catches up with all of us, and on November 15, 2010, Hana crossed the Rainbow Bridge. A death in the family is always hard and you never really get over it. Meantime, it was nice to see how the OCR community appreciated Hana’s beauty and sweet soul. She won the contest — and our heart.

Our condolences go out to Hana’s family. It is a bittersweet way to end OCR’s second Cutest Senior Cat Contest on Facebook. Nevertheless, it is a reminder of how precious time and our cats are and the importance of savoring every moment.

OCR’s Cutest Senior Cat Contest is Back

Chyna Bear chills after entering OCR's Cutest Senior Cat Contest.

OCR’s 2nd annual Cutest Senior Cat Contest launched today and it is rocking Facebook thanks to our friends and fans — but most of all, those fabulous felines that deign to share our lives.

Every November, OCR celebrates Adopt-a-Senior Pet Month with an American Idol-style contest that lets the community choose their favorite senior cat. And once again, we are happy to partner with World’s Best Cat Litter for a grand prize that includes a 6-month supply of litter. (I’ve tried WBCL and give it two paws up).

If you want your cat to glitter in the OCR Hall of Fame — and win the litter — it’s really simple.Visit OldCatsRule on Facebook, and click on the the promotions tab and upload a photo of your cat along with the cat’s name and age. But don’t wait too long because the contest ends November 14. The winner will be announced by the end of the month. Think about it: you won’t have to run to the store for cat litter and can focus on last-minute holiday shopping or parties.

All contestants must be at least 18 years of age and live in the United States.

 

 

 

Pet Insurance: Should You Buy It?

By Heather Green
OldCatsRule

No one has to tell you that there are tons of products being marketed for pets that are completely unnecessary and wasteful of your time, money, and effort. Seriously, who needs a designer Snuggie for dogs? Sometimes it’s fun to buy novelty items for pets, but the upshot of it is that we know when we’re buying stuff we don’t need for our furry friends. If only it were so easy to decide whether or not to buy pet insurance – but with the following discussion of benefits and caveats, you should be able to figure out why insurance is worth it (or not) for you and your pet.

The Benefits of Pet Insurance

• If you have an older pet, the good news is that insurance can help you save on increasing health care costs, compensating for the more frequent and extensive health issues that often afflict older pets. With new technological developments, treatment prices are going up steadily. For example, when pets are found to have cancer, chemotherapy and radiation treatments are now available and can cost you thousands of dollars if your pet is uninsured.
• Once you’ve met your deductible, your insurance company will take care of the rest. Often, these deductibles are priced from $50 to $200, but more at-risk pets may require higher ones.
• Monthly payments are pretty low, ranging from about $17 to $50. Older pets and those who have been consistently ill are likely to require payments at the higher end of the spectrum, but if you ever need to pay bills for chemotherapy, broken bones, ingestion of foreign objects, vehicular accidents, or other extreme cases, you’ll be glad you chose to pay each month.
• Most insurance plans cover a wide variety of potential mishaps and illnesses. For example, car accidents, dog attacks, accidental poison or foreign object ingestion, X-rays, surgeries, cancer, diabetes, heartworm issues, allergies, arthritis, other illnesses, and even preventative care are all covered. You won’t have to pay for your annual checkups, dental cleaning, or vaccinations when you purchase pet insurance.
• You can choose any vet you’d like to use.
• Depending on which insurance company you select, you may be able to enjoy benefits like discounts on food, boarding, and training in addition to vet bills.

Factors to Give You Pause

• Because monthly insurance payments depend on your pet’s age, breed, and location, the insurance you need for older pets is often much more expensive. However, if you buy insurance while your pet is still young, you’ll have a better chance of having a more reasonable monthly payment once your pet begins to age.
• Hereditary problems, genetic conditions, and predisposition to issues like hip dysplasia often are not covered or require an additional monthly charge.
• Declawing is not covered.
• If your annual vet bills total less than the amount you spend on insurance, you’re wasting money.

Making Your Decision

Even if you end up paying more for insurance than you would for vet bills, pet insurance might be the right choice for you if you want the peace of mind that comes with it. You won’t have to worry about any surprise charges, expenses, or decisions about treatment based on price ranges. It’s impossible to tell whether or not your pet will ever need insurance, but some animals are more predisposed to illness or other health conditions than others. For these types of pets in particular, insurance tends to be a popular option, but premiums are higher in these situations. In the end, it’s up to you as you decide how much of a strain your budget can take, whether or not you can afford another monthly bill, and how important your pet’s health is.

Heather Green is former veterinarian tech, pet lover and the resident blogger for OnlineNursingDegrees.org, a free informational website offering tips and advice on online nursing colleges

Therapy Cats and the Power of Purr

Snuggling next to a purring ball of fur can make the weight of the world a little easier to endure. Bubba has helped me in that department for many years.

However, certified therapy cats are relatively rare. While we have nothing against dogs, we believe in purr power is an underutilized resource.

TheCatSite.com notes that cats are less likely to knock over large medical equipment. However, they require careful training  before starting this new unique career. The CatSite offers some tips for assessing your cat’s potential to be a therapy pet. The Delta Society and Love on a Leash are also valuable resources for aspiring therapy cats.

I would simply like to point out a few stories of people who have been helped by therapy cats. From SnikSnak.com, I learned about Marie, a senior citizen with no friends or family — until Handsome came along. This is how one little Persian cat helped a lonely, depressed old woman:

“She remained curled in a fetal position with no interest in living. She had sores on her legs from constant scratching. After Handsome became Marie’s roommate, whenever she tried to scratch herself, he would play with her hands or otherwise distract her. Within a month the sores had healed. But even more incredible, she was so fascinated with the cat that she asked the staff about his care. Before long, she was inviting other residents to come visit with her pet.”

And Franny Syufy, About.com‘s Cat Guide. shared a reader’s story:

“I’ve suffered from clinical depression and ADHD all my life. A year and a half ago I finally sobered up after a battle with drug abuse and stayed sober after intense treatment at hospitals, outpatient work, therapy, and medication. My life was a little more stable without the drugs but I still found it really hard to interact with people and get out of bed each day let alone stay organized and try to be even a little productive. I made the decision to get a cat and 4 months ago I brought home two little two-month old fluffballs: Genghis (an orange tabby) and Fidel (a tuxedo cat). They have been such a blessing. I finally feel like my life is becoming normal and all the bumps are starting to smooth themselves out. It started with knowing that no matter what I had to get up everyday and take care of them. Now I can’t wait to get out of bed. They’ve done what no therapy could ever do. Whenever I feel down they come over looking for pets and to curl up beside me”

Lastly, I want to pay tribute to the many times, Bubba and his late brother, Pudpat, got me through some sad times. Bubba is still a touchstone, doing his best to help me through the past year-and-a-half. I can never repay him — simply cherish him more with each day.

The Daily Cat: Nutrition Help for Aging Cats

From the Editors of The Daily Cat

http://www.thedailycat.com

As a cat ages, changes occur in the way its body functions, so it makes sense that what it eats might also need to change. The following list of health issues may be more common in aging pets.

• Decreased immune system function
• More frequent intestinal problems
• Decreased mobility
• Dental issues

For mature cats with health issues, you can help by providing special nutrition for their special needs.  Here’s how.

Decreased Immune System Function
Throughout a cat’s life, a process called peroxidation occurs. Peroxidation is a normal process that the body uses to destroy cells that outlive their usefulness and kill germs, parasites, etc. but also can destroy or damage healthy cells. As a cat ages, the damage caused by peroxidation accumulates which, in turn, increases the risk of certain problems, such as infections.

Antioxidants are naturally occurring nutrients that help maintain overall health by neutralizing the peroxidation process of cellular molecules. Some antioxidants, such as vitamin E, beta-carotene, and lutein, are naturally occurring nutrients.

Recent research has found that dogs and cats fed a diet rich in antioxidants such as vitamin E, lutein, or beta-carotene had improved immune responses and vaccine recognition. This may be especially important for aging cats, because studies have found that as cats age, immune responses can decrease.

More Frequent Intestinal Problems
Older cats may have higher numbers of unfavorable bacteria and lower numbers of beneficial bacteria in their intestines, which can result in clinical signs of gastrointestinal problems (e.g., diarrhea).

Feeding a diet containing fructooligosaccharides (FOS) — a unique fiber source that helps nutritionally maintain healthy intestinal bacterial populations — promotes growth of beneficial bacteria. Beet pulp, a moderately fermentable fiber source, also helps maintain intestinal health by providing energy for the cells lining the intestine and promoting small, firm stools.

Why Older Cats Are Awesome

Editor’s Note: The following post first appeared in YourDailyCute.com on Sept. 21, 2010 and appears on OCR with the editor’s permission. (Thanks, Dorian!)

Now that the formalities are out of the way, OCR thinks Pimp is another great cat who proves that older is better. A senior cat brings a life of wisdom, acceptance and love — plus a love of cuddling —  to any home they grace.

So without further ado, here is:

Two Cats Tuesday: 7 Things Pimp Taught Me About Why Older Cats are Awesome

(Courtesy YourDailyCute.com)

Happy Two Cats Tuesday, Cuteheads! Today, Pimp is taking the spotlight because he has taught me some very important things through the years about why older cats are fabulous. (Don’t tell him I called him “old!” He’s not old yet, just a little bit on his way…)

Pimp is 11, and every single year he gets better and better. The longer he’s with me, the more love he shows and the more grateful I am that I have him. He’s taught me a lot in his 11 years — a lot of it recently.

I have always adopted kittens, but I’m starting to see why older cats deserve to be adopted, too, and maybe even more. They have so much love left to give. And so without further ado…

The Top 7 Things Pimp Wants You to Know About Older Cats

1. Old men are not dirty.
You know the stereotype about dirty old men? Doesn’t apply to older cats. He knows where his litter box is, and doesn’t need to be taught. He doesn’t raid the garbage can like rambunctious kittens and doesn’t knock over my red wine glass in a fit of flying kitten fur.

2. A little gray is sexy.
Don’t you dare tell Pimp his gray whiskers aren’t sexy. He’s one good lookin’ older dude! Maybe he’s not quite as shiny as he used to be, but he’s just as soft as ever… and just as cute.

3. Good food is one of the most important things in life.
(And so is good wine, but that’s for me, not Pimp. Ahem.) It’s crucial to feed your older cat good food, because their tummies are more sensitive. But seeing how much different food affects Pimp has taught me that even younger cats need good food. You are what you eat… and you want your cat to be good, right?

4. It’s not picky, it’s “particular.”
You don’t need every toy in the world. Just because some new gadget comes out or there’s some fancy new model, it doesn’t mean that what you have isn’t perfectly fine. Some of Pimp’s favorite toys are older than his brother, Moo, and he’d rather play with them than anything new and flashy I get him. He doesn’t ask for much. 🙂

5. A comfy bed is better than any flashy toy.
Adding to #4, older cats realize that there are more important things than how many toys are in your toy basket. I used to get Pimp mice every year for his birthday, and he loved them, but lately I’ve gotten him things to make him comfy — and he uses them way more than all his toys combined! Soft beds = 20 hours a day. Fun toys = 30 minutes. (Don’t worry, he still gets tons of toys!)

6. Peace and quiet is underrated.
Pimpy says relax. Older cats are content to just lie around, lounge and not create too much ruckus. You don’t have to entertain them (or else lose your nice curtains or favorite vase) and you don’t have to babysit them like kittens. They are easy and content to “just be”… so you can just be, too.

7. Love never stops growing.
Sure, your older cat may be done growing, and may actually be shrinking a little instead, but their heart somehow keeps expanding with more and more love. When Pimp looks at me, it’s with such love and adoration, and such happiness and sweetness. He knows he’s loved and he’ll always be taken good care of. He knows I’ll do whatever I can for him, for as long as he needs it. And he knows how lucky he is.

Older cats are extremely special. They often easily adjust to your home and don’t cause much trouble. If you have the room in your home and your heart, why not take a look at some of the senior pets in your area that need homes and go adopt one today. (Or tomorrow, Cute knows you may need a day to get their comfy bed and good food ready…)

Sure, they may need some extra care as they age (For the record – Pimp is going to live forever. I’ve already informed him of this.), but the love you’ll get in return and the fulfilling, incredible feeling you’ll get from taking care of them will give you a ton of joy.

Think of your grandma or grandpa — you would want them to be happy and comfortable in their sunset years, right? Older pets should have the same luxury!