February 8, 2010
Sinatra.
How old is old? Age is often a state of mind in people — and pets — but you can’t ignore the wear and tear that a well-lived life has on a body.
The definition of a senior cat varies. Most experts agree age 7 and up qualify as a the mature years. Over age 10 is considered geriatric.
When you raise a cat from kittenhood it is easy to miss the early signs of aging because you are around them every day. That can be dangerous because the slightest change in an older cat could be a sign of a serious condition. Sometimes, they are simply a reminder of the years.
When I first saw the flecks of white in Bubba’s black fur, his age really hit home. In fairness, let me say that the changes can be so gradual even the most vigilant cat owner can miss them or attribute it to their pet having an off day.
Some early signs of aging include:
- Decreased vision (cat’s eyes can sometimes become cloudy)
- Decreased hearing (Hearing and vision problems can be tough to detect until they are severe)
- Problems using the litterbox
- Difficulty moving and sleeping even more than usual
- Appetite changes
- Less frequent grooming.
Not every change is an instant indicator that your cat is ill but every sign merits careful attention and regular visits to the vets to be sure they are healthy.
Read more about cats and aging at the following sites:
Catnipchronicles.com
Familyeducation.com
Petpeoplesplace.com
January 29, 2010
Cats rule the Internet -- but you already knew that./courtesy larvatusprodeo.net
Dogs don’t Twitter and they don’t head multimillion-dollar media empires a la Sockington. Therefore, the folks at rathergood.com composed an educational ditty about cats and the Internet.
However, most feline fanatics know cats are attracted to the computer screen, especially if you are typing away and ignoring them. But being curious, they wanted to find out what was so bloody fascinating — and lo and behold, the Internet was made of cats.
Click here to watch the video.
January 26, 2010
We have fresh cat-content from around the Web at OldCatsRule on Facebook. Check it out and we hope you will become a fan.
January 23, 2010
Kitty can dream of traveling the world without leaving home in these whimsical pet beds./courtesy Mother Nature Network
The normal mode of travel for cats is a plastic carrier that can induce yowls of fear from your furry friend. Cats, while curious, are generally not road warriors. But you can make a suitcase your cat’s new crib — without disrupting their world.
Lovenostaglicwhimsy is an Etsy seller that transforms vintage suitcases into cute pet beds. Prices run from $55 to $75, but if you can afford it, this is a unique way to give your cat a bed with character.
The vintage suitcases come from thrift stores, so you are recycling in the name of fashion and your cat.
The beds make me smile, however, I have only quibble: the legs might prove a challenge for senior pets with arthritis. Perhaps Lovenostaglicwhimsy might consider making some models with lower legs?
January 20, 2010
We just posted a bunch of content on OCR’s Facebook page, including cat trivia and a link to a New York City restaurant that is doing something to help the animals.
To be continued…
January 13, 2010
Regular OCR readers know I have a 21-year-old cat named Bubba. However, his Bubb-ness is a mere whippersnapper next to Creme Puff, the oldest cat on record.
The four-legged Texan lived to the ripe old age of 38 in Austin with Jake Perry. Perry was a major cat lover and the subject of the documentary, “South Paws.”
All Perry’s cats lived a long time and while we don’t know his magic formula, we would bet that the obvious love between cat and man has added a few years on both sides.
Although there have been reports of cats living into their 40s, Creme Puff is officially recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records.
Creme Puff passed away in 2005. Since then, various felines have been promoted as the World’s Oldest Cat.
You can catch a glimpse of Creme Puff in “South Paws.” I couldn’t find a photo of her, so if anyone has a picture they can legally share, pass it along.
January 8, 2010
This is just a reminder that our Facebook page has content that does not appear on the blog. This means the best way to get your cat on is to visit OCR on Facebook and stop by the blog.
January 8, 2010
Editor’s Note: After reading OCR’s pet food bank post, One of our Facebook friends sent us a coupon for free Halo cat food. You have to sign up for their newsletter but when it comes to free food — sign us up.
Meadow. (courtesy Flickr/The Biscuit Fund)
I’ve been unemployed for 7 months and one of my biggest worries is providing for my three senior cats and praying we stay together. For most jobless folks, an unemployment check does not cover basic expenses — and pet food is a basic in this household.
Thankfully, animal lovers are trying to help with soup kitchens for pets. Recently, a charity in Germany started handing out free food and advice to financially strapped pet owners.
In the United States, several ad hoc pet food banks have sprung up, however, they are also strapped for space and resources as the demand far exceeds the supply. This can be a particular problem for those who live with senior cars because those felines may have special dietary requirements. (Forget about medicine!)
Pets can friends, family, social support rolled into one furry package. To lose that only widens the scope of devastation that has been the Great Recession. I have not visited a pet food bank — but that day is approaching.
Below are a few resources for pet owners in need.
The Pet Food Bank
Save Our Pets Food Bank
Daffy’s Pet Soup Kitchen
Love Your Pet Expo
United Animal Nations
Food Bank List from CatChannel.com
January 5, 2010
Editor’s Note: Today we turn OCR over to a guest blogger. Tamar is an advertising executive who grew up petless (unless you count hamsters) and now lives with two cats and an occasional foster…or two. She was inspired to start her blog “I HAVE CAT” – about the trials and tribulations of a single woman living in New York City with cat(s) – when she found herself attempting to give her cat a foot soak late one Friday evening. Topless.
Don't let the warm fuzzies become fuzzy clothing.
I am a single female Manhattan, and I have cat(s). Having a cat is not exactly a dirty little secret. But still. People talk. People shake their heads and warn I’ll NEVER again have good furniture or a man. I refuse to fall prey to the “cat lady” stereotype.
It’s one thing to overcome the “cat lady” stereotype once you meet someone and they find out you have cats. But what if they can tell you have cats before they even meet you?
Is there a cat owner alive who regrets not buying stock in lint rollers?
A few years ago I was on an escalator with a girlfriend of mine when she pointed to the older woman ahead of us and said, “That’s going to be you.” The woman’s back, from beret to corduroys, was covered in light grey fuzz. It wasn’t mohair. She had cat(s). It wasn’t a good look and I knew immediately this was a fate I had to avoid at all costs. It was then that I committed myself to waging an aggressive battle against an unrelenting opponent with never-ending ammunitions. Cat hair.
If you step into my closet, you may think the light has gone out. Not so. It’s just that like most Manhattanites my closet is filled with dark color clothing – serving to give my opponent an added advantage. (As a side note, I’m convinced this dark attire is less a function of looking cool and more about concealing the city grime).
On any given morning you’re likely find me armed with a vacuum in one hand and a sticky roller in the other. I feel terrible about the environmental implications; I purchase those plastic rollers in bulk and have one in every room as well as at the office, and sometimes even in my handbag. My cats are subjected to vigorous brushings – sometimes against their will (it’s not pretty). I’ve even been known to pop into a FedEx to use their sticky label sleeves like a mitt to de-fur en route to a client meeting.
I wear my cat-hair-free black clothing like a badge of honor. The memory of the escalator-cat-lady keeps me strong in my never-ending battle. If you passed me on the street you would never know. Even my dry-cleaner was surprised to learn I have cat(s).
As for the furniture and men – well, that’s another blog posting altogether.
