Make your cat's golden years truly golden!
Although the typical life expectancy for a male indoor cat is 12-14 years, cats can live up to 18, 19, even 20 years or more. (The world's record is held by Creme Puff, who died at the age of 38.) As they age, just like people, certain things will make a cat's life much easier and more comfortable.
1. Good Nutrition
A high-quality food is even more important for an older cat than a younger one. Older cats have a more difficult time metabolizing their food, so it needs to be as nutritious as possible in order for them to get the same benefit as they did when they were younger. In addition, a high-quality food will have less filler and ash, both of which are substances that can cause health issues in older cats (like kidney and bladder problems).
Older cats can also be picky eaters. You may need to try several brands before you find one that your cat likes. A good pet store will be able to offer you free samples, and will have a return policy if you buy a bag of food that your cat won't like. They can also recommend foods that old cats may prefer!
2. Warmth
Because of their reduced activity and slower metabolism, older cats often get chilled. There are a variety of solutions to this problem, both electric and non-electric. I recently bought a "thermal pad," which is a non-electric but super-insulated pad that reflects more of your cat's body heat. You can also buy heated pads specially designed for pets.
Don't just use a heating pad meant for humans, though. These can accidentally scorch your cat, and create a fire hazard because they are not meant to run for hours unattended.
3. A Boost
If your old cat has trouble getting up and down onto the couch or the bed, you can buy small stairs or ramps designed just for this purpose. Old cats need their couch time more than those young whippersnappers!
4. Digestive Help
Many older cats develop constipation, due to their lower activity levels, and the muscular degeneration that comes with age. There are many products available to help your cat "keep it moving," from pastes like Laxatone to dietary supplements like Miralax (1/8th teaspoon per day, mixed into your cat's food).
As your cat ages, you should pay more attention to your cat's movements, both pee and poop, so that you can detect any health issues before they become too serious.