This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Royal Canin. All opinions are 100% mine.
This past Saturday was basically a national holiday in our house: it was National Take Your Cat to the Vet Month! I’m joking about it being a holiday for us, but given how attentive we are to Georgette’s needs, it might as well be. What can I say — Georgette is my first pet that I adopted as an adult. She has a very special place in my heart. This year, she turned 12, which means she’s officially a senior meow! I teamed up with her favorite food maker, Royal Canin, to share the importance of taking your cat to the vet regularly, a few tips to help you take care of a senior cat, the food she eats now, and the details of a sweepstakes!
You might notice that Georgette isn’t in our home right now… that’s because we’re in so much flux due to listing our house and moving. So, she’s taken up residence with Sean’s dad, Andy. It is a way calmer environment for her… and means she gets spoiled! Trust me, she doesn’t get to eat on the coffee table in our house. Now that she’s older, we basically just do whatever she wants to be happy! It’s been hilarious watching her love on him (especially because he has declared himself “not a cat person“). I can’t wait to see her reaction to our new home! So many more sunny spots to lounge in.
Anyways, let’s chat about how to provide the best life possible for your senior cat:
4 Easy Tips to Help You Take Care of a Senior Cat
Schedule regular vet visits
Even though we’ve moved a LOT, I have always made it a priority to establish a vet asap when we move. Not only is this a good idea in case there’s an emergency, but also because regular vet visits are key to maintaining a happy and healthy life for your cat. Can you believe that half of all cats don’t see the vet on a regular basis?? Royal Canin is making it a priority to educate pet owners and encourage regular preventative check-ups with the Cat2Vet campaign — especially because cats can be so stoic! Admittedly, I struggle to know when Georgette isn’t feeling well, so making sure she sees the vet regularly helps.
Here are a few other things Royal Canin is advocating to make sure all cats get the care they need, whether a kitten or a senior cat:
- Watch – A new cat-centric web series: Catology Presents Kitten Lady and Friends, covering everything cat… from behavior to health and nutrition.
- Learn – Ready to learn more about cats and their specific needs? The best way to keep your cat healthy is to learn more about them. Stay Curious cat health.
- Chat – Be curious about your cat’s health – receive a complimentary chat with a veterinarian 24/7, brought to you by Royal Canin and Ask.Vet.
- Shop – Purchase your favorite Royal Canin cat food from PetSmart and receive a free vet visit from Banfield.
- Donate – Your Royal Canin cat food purchase from Chewy supports veterinary care for shelter cats through GreaterGood.org
- Win – Enter the #Cat2Vet sweepstakes to win a prize pack to help you get ready for your cat’s next vet visit. Every entry will also receive a free sample of Royal Canin Hematuria Detection by Blücare.
And lastly, be sure to enter the #Cat2Vet sweepstakes here!
Keep good records
I say this without hyperbole: I have records of literally every vet visit that Georgette has ever had! It’s a paper file and has helped sooo much when we move. To establish her account at a new vet, I simply hand over the file for them to review. I definitely recommend doing this, no matter how old your cat is now. It’s a huge help, especially when you need to look back and see when vaccines are needed, for example.
Select the right food for your senior cat
Georgette has a history of bladder stones, so she is on a high-moisture diet. She tends to be a picky eater and prefers wet food. Because of this, she eats a combination of the Aging 12+ Thin Slices in Gravy canned cat food and Urinary Care dry cat food. Our vet swears by Royal Canin, so we worked with her to figure out the right balance of food for Georgette. I highly recommend you do the same!
Create a savings account for cat emergencies
I considered getting pet insurance, but instead decided set aside money each month with auto-deposits so that I am financially prepared for any animal emergency. A few years ago, Georgette needed to have dental surgery and I was able to cover it with the savings. I suggest weighing the option of pet insurance or a pet-specific savings account and choosing which will work best for your needs!
Do you have a senior cat and have any tips to add to this list? Leave a comment and let me know — and don’t forget to enter the #Cat2Vet enter the sweepstakes now!
