Elderly cat maintenance!

DartfordKit

Hi there,
This is one of my long-term housemates. She's entered super senior years (20) yet still has many kitten like tendencies. She's a little wobbly due to arteritis and very vocal, probably due to being a bit mutton these days. Otherwise, she's pretty healthy for her age and I expect her to be round for some time yet but I do want to keep her as comfortable.
Given the heat lately and due to not being able to reach her legs these days, her fur has started to get matted in places around her hind legs. Matting for her hasn't been all that uncommon over the years given she's a 'long-haired domestic' though we've managed it with regular brushing. She doesn't particular enjoy her legs being groomed and I wondered if anyone had any suggestions to improve this area? I have tried things like matt combs (she hates them) and understand shaving them could be an option but have reservations on that in case of distress. 
Thanks

KxMx

Could you snip off the mats with a pair of small scissors when a good opportunity presents itself? 
Quieter than shaving and give tasty treats so she has a positive association with the sound of scissors. 

sheramber

Rather than shaving use thinning scissors and cut up into the matts vertically.

You could consider thinning n her coat right down on her back legs so it is short and doesn't matt. 

Thinning scissors don't leave ridges like ordinary scissors do.

Do a little bit at a time and reward with a treat.

Once done it will be easier to keep in check.

Raspberry_Queen

If your cat has recently reduced grooming herself, please take her for a check down the vets, as several conditions extremely common in elderly cats cause them to stop grooming. This includes kidney disease, which most very elderly cats have. (And even if they don't all elderly cats' kidney function declines significantly with age).

My beautiful, beloved 18 year old cat had chronic kidney disease and was put to sleep on Sunday. She suffered terribly at the end, as she got several kidney infections and ultimately a ureteral stricture (scar tissue blockage). But if you catch kidney disease before it's severe, and treat it appropriately, cats can live with it happily for several years. 

If I could turn back time I would force my family members to take her down the vets early this year when she started showing signs. (They had refused because she hated the vets). The earlier you catch it, the more of their kidney cells you save, and the longer and healthier they can live. 

Ordinary cat food (even senior) is very damaging to the kidneys as it is far too high in phosphorus, and arguably, protein and calcium. Elderly cats can't cope with this. Plus ordinary food is too low in potassium and omega 3, which are usually needed more in kidney cats. And the dry food can be very dehydrating and damaging. 

If your cat has reduced kidney function, which is probable, you can put her on renal diet food to protect her kidneys and preserve their function. 

You can also give her cat-friendly CoQ10 supplement, which prevents cells death. (CoQ10 declines a lot in elderly cats, and has multiple health benefits as a supplement). You can also give her top-quality omega 3's, as it is essential for kidney health. 

Otherwise, don't give her any seafood at all, as it is almost always high in pollutants including mercury that cats are particularly sensitive to, and are proven to cause kidney damage. Unfortunately I was unable to find any algal supplements for my cat (these contain no pollutants, and are safe for cats). https://littlebigcat.com/why-fish-is-dangerous-for-cats/

Finally don't give her any more booster vaccines containing the feline distemper virus, as they are cultured on feline kidney cells, which causes cat's immune systems to attack their own kidneys. See this link, written by a vet: https://catinfo.org/vaccines-for-cats-we-need-to-stop-overvaccinating/

Some do argue about renal diet food; they say that protein shouldn't be reduced, but good quality protein given instead, as the better quality the protein the less toxic waste is produced in digesting it. It is these uraemic toxins that actually damage the kidneys, not the protein itself. 

DartfordKit

KxMx said:

sheramber said:

Thank you both, the small scissors have already made some good progress and I think she's enjoyed the assistance (with the treats an added bonus of course!)

Raspberry_Queen said:

I'm so sorry for your loss and thank you so much for your thoughtful and helpful reply, really appreciated and I will take some heed to what you say. I do try to take her to the vet annually (which she really hates) for a check up and most recently her bloods have come back fine. She is due another visit soon so will ask about some of the things you mention

Brie

late to the party here - but would you cat agree to be petted on the hind legs?  Wondering if one of those hair gloves could be used - particularly if she is used to be cuddled in the evenings.