This is also when their body shows some signs of slowing down. This is a very gradual process, and encourages the cat to concentrate on the more energy-efficient fun found in thinking.
And they are lying around more.
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Mr. Bond pulls his “carry me to my food” routine a couple of times a week, especially if he is feeling nervous about something. Just to put more fun in mealtimes, and to get a little more attention from me.
That’s a sign of this stage in life; after having this whole bunch of missions for years, even the busiest cat starts kicking back and asking for a little help. Figuring out how to ask is a skill they have honed over the years.
We might pick up hints that we should be better trained by now. They will start refusing certain dinners, or want to move breakfast. We can wonder why the cat is suddenly changing their behavior, or see that the cat is concentrating on getting us to do something, though we don’t know why.
Two changes are interacting with each other at this stage of cat growth and aging.
The cat’s body loses sensory and nutritional input. Our cat is discovering the same old food is not smelling the same. Part of why a cat might suddenly make a fuss over not eating something that used to be a favorite is that it really doesn’t smell the same. Their nose senses something missing because their sense of smell is not quite as good. Our cat will try to convey their confusion. They need us to show we care by coming up with something new and smelly.
They might appreciate a fluffier, warmer, more enclosed bed. They could want more lap time. Or they could spend more time in less accessible parts of the home.
The cat’s mind is working on increasing input. If they are ever going to mess with our heads, they’ll do it now. If they’ve always messed with our heads, we won’t see it coming. If we have gotten to know our cat, for however long, this is the age where they play the best jokes on us.
They explore changes in their routine at this age because they need it. It is mental input, and it is also a soothing way to explore what makes them feel good now, when they have different requirements, and need to let us know.
We can invest in more digestible food and sprinkle some brewer’s yeast onto it. We make sure they get more offers to drink water, to remind them they should.
These cats can become “absent-minded professors” as they get lost in their thoughts. They appreciate the nudge back to the real world. This is when we “get” each other’s humor and have sweet, close, moments.
The best part is that cats can hang in this stage for almost as long as they took getting here.
We want a cat to grow old with us.
It’s a great part of their life.
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There’s more ways to understand our cat with The Way of Cats than the article you are reading now. See all of my posts on WHY CATS DO THAT.
My oldest now drinks out of my water cup preferentially. It reminds ME to drink more, and when I offer it to her it’s an easy way to make sure she gets some water in her system. She has me very well-trained, and yes, she is the one who decided that it should be this way, changing things up on me. It’s sort of a pain sometimes, but she’s really worth it, and I am glad she trusts me and makes her needs known.
when Orca was 11 she re-invented herself…. she had always been the one to run and hide when visitors came..my sons friend came for a 2 day holiday visit and Orca immediately took to her. that was surprising but even more surprising is that after that one visit, Orca became the greeter cat for the rest of her 19 years.
Mr. Bond has been getting my water glass for years. I get my crack at it, then it’s his, and Olwyn immediately showed the same behavior.
I relied on that as a supplemental water source, but now we’re trying to switch them over to a fountain. Post coming up!
I love Orca’s story. The light turned on for her. Your son’s friend must have a way with cats.