I have to admit that I am more of a dog lover than a lover of cats. When our sons were home we had dogs. Cats were not even a consideration as a pet. As Homer Simpson once said when Marge invited him to pet their cat instead of their dog, “What’s the point?”

Well, now that our sons and the dogs are gone I have found a surprising new friend that is our neighbor’s cat. Her name is Crouch. She is definitely a “people” cat and loves to visit us. Yes, I have fed her on occasion and let her in the house so she has reason to visit our granddaughter. Crouch has helped me to over come some prejudices about cats and I have found that I actually enjoy her company. So out of this friendship has come further interest in domestic cats. Here are some tidbits of information.

Domestic cats belong the Felidae family that includes lions, tigers, leopards, etc. There are 38 known species of cats in the world. Cats are hunting carnivores with strong predatory instincts, powerful jaws and sharp teeth along with claws. They have acute hearing and their eyes are adaptable for vision in dim light. They usually do their hunting after dusk or just before dawn (with a cat around there won’t be a mouse problem).

There are distinct domestic cat breeds. Most are usually agile, intelligent, independent, and (as in the case of Crouch) on occasion affectionate. I have enjoyed the company of our neighbor’s cat. However, I am not ready to own one.

It becomes essential to your aging dog or cat to provide comfort and preventive care in order to preserve their quality of life. Pets today can live an average of 10-12 years due to improved medical care and nutrition. Usually those golden years begin around the age of 7. With increasing age, your pet will probably begin to slow down and feel some aches and pains.

It is recommended that your pet see a veterinarian twice a year for checkups. With this examination be sure to have the doctor check for heart murmurs and skin lesions. The exam should include checking the blood and urine to determine body chemistry and organ functions. Discovering diseases at an early stage can mean better and more successful treatment.

Other suggestions to improve those golden years include:
Brushing your pet’s teeth. Dental disease can cause lots of problems.
Maintaining regular grooming including nail trims and plucking ear hairs.
Providing mental and physical exercise. Walking and games are a great help.
Allowing your pet lots of opportunity to eliminate outside.
Providing a ramp or steps up to the sofa or bed if you allow that.
Making their bed warm and comfortable and keeping it clean.

Your pets will appreciate the love and attention you give them during their golden years and you will appreciate that companionship and love of your pet for a while longer.