Advice for an OAP cat!

[Littlemissindependent]

Leaf is 19. I've posted previously about wondering if it's 'time' but I honestly don't think we're quite there yet.
I'm looking for ways than I can make her more comfortable though. I've just ordered her a new bed with a heat pad, I trim her claws for her and groom her as she's not up to doing either of those things. She has loxicom as and when needs be. She eats and drinks well, uses litter tray fine but can be very very vocal for no apparent reason prior to using the litter tray.
So, those of you with experience of OAPs, any advice or suggestions for me?

[cozietoesie]

Lots of heat, meds and TLC.

[cozietoesie]

Has she been vetted recently?

[Littlemissindependent]

She has. There's nothing particularly 'wrong', she's just old, and prior to coming to me she had a horrific life teeth aren't great but GA in her condition would finish her off. Borderline hyperthyroid. Bit wobbly on her legs at times. But still full of purrs, loves a fuss and still able to jump up on the bed and start demanding breakfast from 5am!

[cozietoesie]

If she seems to be tolerating the meloxicam well, I'd be tempted to give it to her on a regular basis. Pain is no fun. Your vet will advise though.

Lots and lots of heat, anyway. This heated pad you bought sounds great.

[Weedsnseeds1]

The heat pad will help. I used to give mine a joint supplement called Seraquin, which she enjoyed and seemed to ease her ricketiness.

[Littlemissindependent]

She does love warmth. I wish they could talk! I obviously don't want her to be in any pain at all, but it's so difficult to know if she's hurting or not. To be fair she doesn't do much besides sleep and eat...

[cozietoesie]

Lovely old girl - very expressive eyes.

[Weedsnseeds1]

Look at those ears! Bat- woman

[Wolfiefan]

Beautiful! I bought a heated whelping mat for my old girl. She would literally uncurl on it when I plugged it in and look like she was smiling!
Litter tray could be hard for her to climb into. A shallow one? Litter may also hurt her paws. (Saw a thing on TV where they road tested litter and sharper type litter didn't go down well with old cats. Thin skin?)
Keep an eye on the thyroid thing. She may need meds.
I would ask about doing pain meds regularly. Cats hide pain well.

[Autumnchill]

Ah she's lovely (have 2 black cats). We had a 19 year old with hyperthyroidism and lost her suddenly last year to an unknown tumour but she was like yours where nothing wrong just slept, ate and wanted a bit of fussing.

I would be inclined to continue with her and lots of love and heat

[Littlemissindependent]

It's so hard. When I collected her I was warned not to get too attached to her... easier said than done though! After all she's been through she'd have every right to be antisocial and wary but she's not. I just wish she'd come to me so much sooner than she did

[cozietoesie]

You've given her a great sunset time to enjoy. That counts for almost everything, I think.

[Reow]

Aw bless her.

My old boy lived to 21. We PTS when he'd clearly had enough. It was the kindest thing.

Towards the end we made him a disabled ramp for the cat flap and let him eat anything and everything he wanted. He loved prawn crackers, cheese and butter, so we gave it to him all through his last year!

[cozietoesie]

I gave Seniorboy anything he wanted when he came to live with me. He wasn't expected to reach 15.

[pterobore]

She is so beautiful and good for you for giving her this chance of a lovely home.

I took an old cat in about 10 years ago, such a messy stray, coat matted (we had to shave her). But she lived nine months with us in utter bliss and contentment. I always wondered how such an old cat became a stray (she did her stray time at a shelter) but so glad we have her a loving home for the last bit of her life.

[cozietoesie]

Good for you, ptero.

[Littlemissindependent]

Self heating pad has been a bit of a revelation, and I've only had it 4 hours! Dose of loxicom, she was straight into her box and looking at her curled up I can safely say that's the most relaxed I've seen her in the 8 months I've had her. She normally struggles to get comfy enough to sleep and changes position frequently, but she hasn't shifted once in over an hour

[cozietoesie]

Excellent.

[Autumnchill]

Ah that's lovely. Looks just like mine

[OliviaStabler]

What a lovely cat

[Weedsnseeds1]

Those pads are fantastic for old cats

[MissClarke86]

Oh she's gorgeous. Made me well up.

[TrustySnail]

She's beautiful. I have a black boy who's 17 - I hope he goes on as long as your lovely girl.

[Wolfiefan]

That's just what old girl did. Kind of unfurled on the pad. Good cat slave!

[wtffgs]

Another elderly cat here! What are these self-heating pads? OP she's a lovely old girl. Eating and sleeping plus pooing seem to be WTFCat's only activities. He's happy for fuss and can still jump onto my quite high bed.