When Did Cats Enter China? A Journey Through the History of Cats in China and Tips for Caring for Senior Cats

When Did Cats Enter China? A Journey Through the History of Cats in China and Tips for Caring for Senior Cats

The other day, I came across a video on social media of a cat owner celebrating their cat's birthday. The caption read "Happy 23rd Birthday to my cat!" I was stunned. 23 years old? That's equivalent to 108 years old in human years! This was a cat grandma!

The tabby cat is named Lily and affectionately referred to as "Queen Lily" by her owner, Reece. She was born in 1999 and was Reece's 11th birthday present. Lily was only three months old at the time, and they have been inseparable ever since.

Reece reminisces about their first encounter with a smile. He says, "I was living with my parents when I was in school. My father always complained about Lily shedding and wouldn't allow her in the second-floor bedroom. But Lily is quite the adventurer. She would climb onto the roof and jump into my room through the window. You won't believe how surprised I was when I saw a small cat dropping from the sky and landing on my desk!"

Reece shares that Lily has been by his side throughout all the major milestones of his life, from middle school to university, from dating to breakups. For 23 years, Lily has been sensitive to his emotions, comforting him during tough times, bringing warmth and solace.

Now, 23 years later, Lily has reached her golden years. She has become even more affectionate, preferring to snuggle beside Reece and rub her nose against his. After all, an aging cat's bodily functions decline. Lily's legs are not as nimble as they used to be. The centenarian walks like a toddler learning to walk.

Reece shares that Lily used to love lounging on the couch, but she can no longer easily jump onto it. To help her sleep comfortably, Reece bought a small staircase to facilitate her ascent to the couch.

Lily was delighted to see the new stairs and walked towards them, tail wagging. She slowly climbed step by step, reaching the couch. Reece embraced her, his face radiating happiness and contentment.

As Lily ages, her teeth are also deteriorating, making it slow and difficult for her to eat. Sometimes, she can't eat at all when her teeth hurt. Thankfully, Reece is a super responsible cat owner who cares for Lily deeply and regularly takes her to the veterinarian for check-ups.

As cats age, they also become less active. They spend most of their time sleeping, their curiosity diminishes, and they become lazy and less playful. Even though the vet praised Lily for her good health, she still enjoys lounging on a blanket, snoozing away.

To keep Lily active and help her live a fulfilling life, Reece frequently plays with her. They go for walks in their yard, climb stairs together, and Reece massages her limbs at night to relieve her tiredness.

Even though she is an old lady, Lily is still a cuddle bug. Whenever Reece sits on the couch, she comes running over to rub against him. Love truly is mutual!

Seeing Reece so patiently care for Lily, I couldn't help but think of another 20-year-old cat, Shushu. She wasn't as fortunate to have a good owner.

Shushu, at 20 years old, is the equivalent of 96 years old in human years. She's not as mobile and often has accidents, leaving urine on the floor. Her owner couldn't handle this and took her to an animal shelter.

The shelter staff felt sorry for Shushu and posted an adoption notice online. Rebecca, a nurse working at a veterinary clinic, saw the post and, moved by Shushu's plight, decided to adopt her. She hoped that Shushu could spend her senior years happily under her care.

Speaking of cat ages, let's share a cat age calculation formula:

A 2-year-old cat is equivalent to 24 years old in human years.
Every year after that is equivalent to 4 years in human years.

If your cat is getting old, how do you care for these senior babies? Here are some tips:

1. Regular Check-ups:

Healthy cats are recommended to have a check-up every six months or annually. Cats with specific conditions should consult their veterinarian about check-up frequency.

2. Dental Check-ups:

Senior cats are prone to gingivitis, root inflammation, and other oral problems. Regular check-ups are essential for early detection and treatment.

3. Cultivate a Good Appetite:

Senior cats have a decline in their sense of smell and taste, leading to decreased appetite. Here are some ways to boost their appetite:

Warm food can enhance flavor.
Soak dry food or feed wet food.

4. Exercise:

Place food at a height that the cat can jump to, encouraging leg exercise.

Engage with your cat using favorite toys.
Place multiple cat scratching posts around the home for your senior cat to sharpen their claws and exercise their forelegs.

5. Drink Plenty of Water:

Keep multiple water bowls and dishes around the house. Senior cats are prone to dehydration, especially those with chronic kidney disease. Ensuring sufficient water intake is crucial.

6. Create a Senior Cat-Friendly Environment:

Provide steps for your cat to easily access the couch, windowsill, or other elevated resting spots.
Decorate a soft and comfortable cat bed.

Three-month-old Lily met 11-year-old Reece, perfectly exemplifying the saying, "You watched me grow up, and I'll watch you age."

Life is a constant cycle of arrival and departure, but there is no future. We are destined to lose those we love, but while you still have them, embrace the love with all your heart!

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