How to Make an Old Cat Happy

Last Updated: December 27, 2022 References Approved

Cats can live for a long time. Some cats live for over twenty years. At such an advanced age, however, your cat may not be as energetic or healthy as it used to be. This means your cat might need different care from you to make it happy. Learn how to make your old cat happy and keep it as healthy as possible.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Spending Quality Time with Your Cat

1
Be gentle. An old cat is especially happy if you’re calm and gentle when dealing with it. Let your cat spend time on your lap and give it gentle pets but remember that some cats are happiest when they have their space. Leave your cat alone if it seems to prefer being by itself. Also, an old cat won’t be happy if you yell at it when it does something you don’t like. Gently pick it up and move it to a new place if you don’t like where it is.^{[1]
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2
Continue to play with your cat. Even though your cat is old it will still be happy if you take the time to play with it. Make sure that you don’t overstress your cat’s physical ability, however. Avoid making your cat jump after toys. Find a toy your cat likes playing with where it lies on its back or side. This will help you cat continue to exercise, have fun and be happy.^{[2]
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3
Give your cat treats. All cats love treats and old cats are no exception. Your cat will be very happy with treats as long as you’re not overfeeding it and making it overweight. Experiment with different brands and flavors to find treats that make your cat happiest.
- Try giving treats with catnip.
- Try treats with fish.
- Avoid giving your cat people food.
- Don’t give your cat any treats that contain raisins, grapes, onions, alcohol, salt, or tea.^{[3]
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4
Provide predictability. Old cats are happiest when you provide them with predictability. Try to be as predictable when feeding your cat or spending time with it. Sit in the same spots so your cat easily knows where to go. Avoid changing your routine as much as possible to make your old cat happy because it is sometimes hard for older cats to deal with change.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Providing A Happy Home Environment

1
Remove potential obstacles. Your cat won’t be happy if it can’t move around very easily. Therefore, you should observe your cat as it moves through your home and eliminate any objects that seem to get in its way. Change your cat’s litter box if the sides are high and your cat begins going to the bathroom elsewhere.^{[4]
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Research source} Nothing makes a cat happier than having access to a clean place to go to the bathroom. Purchase absorbent pee pads, if necessary.
2
Provide cozy places for your cat to sleep. You can make your cat super happy if you provide it with a warm and soft sleeping place. Look to see if your cat has any favorite sleeping places and place a clean blanket there for it to sleep on. Since old cats don’t have as much mobility, you can also make your cat happy by providing it with a ramp, step, or ladder so they can access their preferred sleeping spot.^{[5]
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3
Keep your house warm. Old cats will be happy if you keep your house warm. Identify where your cat likes to hang out and try to keep this space warm and free of drafts. Move your cat’s bed to a space that is easy for you to keep warm, if necessary. For example, you could place your cat’s bed next to a radiator and see if they’re happy there.^{[6]
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4
Put food on a raised platform. Your old cat might have trouble bending down to eat from its food bowl and no cat will be happy if it can’t eat. It’s a good idea to place your cat’s food bowl on a raised platform to help it. Buy a specifically designed raised feeder or simply place the bowl on something that elevates it. The benefit of buying a raised feeder is that the bowl won’t slip or fall off the platform as your cat eats from it.^{[7]
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5
Install a nightlight. Cats love to roam at night but older cats often have eyesight problems so providing your cat with a light will be very helpful for making it happy. Keep a light on overnight or install a nightlight in areas where your cat might need to get to. For example, keep a light on near the litter box or where you keep your cat’s food.
6
Avoid new pets. Keep your old cat happy by making sure your home is as quiet and calm as possible. Don’t introduce a new pet into the environment. A new pet may make your cat nervous or feel neglected, especially since you’ll likely need to spend a lot of time helping your new pet get adjusted. This won’t make your cat very happy.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Keeping Your Cat Healthy

1
Help your cat with grooming. Old cats have difficulty grooming themselves and will be happy if you help them. Set aside time every day to groom your cat. Gently brush your cat if it seems to like it. This will help prevent matted fur and hairballs, which can cause health problems.^{[8]
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Research source} Clean your cat’s eyes, nose, and anus if you notice your cat isn’t keeping these areas clean. Use individual cotton balls dipped in warm water.^{[9]
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2
Provide an appropriate diet. Your cat will be happiest if you make sure it has a healthy diet. Talk to your vet about choosing an appropriate diet. It is important that your cat receives enough calories and vitamins in its food. Try mixing wet food and dry food to ensure a balanced diet. Don’t force your cat to eat a specific diet if it doesn’t want it. Provide your cat with food that it likes and makes it happy.
3
Monitor your cat’s food and water intake. Make sure your cat always has access to clean water. Even though many cats are shy about drinking around humans, this will make your cat very happy. It’s important that your cat continue drinking water because older cats tend to have kidney problems. Increasing the amount of wet food you give your cat helps add extra moisture into your cat’s diet and keeps it from developing health problems that won’t make it happy.