Senior Kitties
Photo credit: Foster Victoria F.
Thank you for fostering a senior kitty and providing them a safe and loving foster home during their golden years. Fostering a senior kitty is a very special experience, for both the kitty and the foster. Senior kitties appreciate cuddles and play, but are generally more independent and like to spend a lot of time in a warm, cozy napping spot.
VOKRA classifies any kitty over the age of 8 as a senior kitty. Fortunately, kitties today often live well into their teens and even their early 20s, so a 10-year-old healthy “senior” cat still has lots of living left to do!
VOKRA classifies any kitty over the age of 8 as a senior kitty. Fortunately, kitties today often live well into their teens and even their early 20s, so a 10-year-old healthy “senior” cat still has lots of living left to do!
Feeding Guidelines
VOKRA aims to feed high-quality, grain free, wet food to all of our cats. Dry food (kibble) can be used as treats only. Please limit your cat to 1 tbsp (~15 ml) of dry food per day. More information on feeding your foster kitty can be found on Caring For Your Foster.
Age |
Feeding Guidelines |
Seniors |
¼ of a 12 oz can twice or three times a day, OR as much as they will eat twice or 3 times a day a day |
These guidelines are approximate. Some cats will eat more or less depending on their size and activity level. If a senior kitty seems particularly hungry, or is overweight or underweight, please speak to your Foster Team Member for advice. You may need to fill out a Medical Concerns Form if they think there may be a more serious underlying health issue.
If your foster kitty is not eating, please contact your Foster Team Member immediately. Please do not delay, as it can become an emergency.
If your foster kitty is not eating, please contact your Foster Team Member immediately. Please do not delay, as it can become an emergency.
Socialization and Enrichment
It is important to spend at least 30 minutes of quality time interacting with your foster kitty each day. For information on Environmental Enrichment and Socialization, please refer to Caring For Your Foster. While senior kitties do spend a lot more time napping, they still need to interact with their humans regularly! Please set aside some time each day to spend with your foster kitty by engaging them in gentle play, petting, treats, or a grooming session.
Comfort and Care
As kitties age, they become less tolerant of cold and senior kitties will often seek out comfortable and warm napping spots.
Senior kitties may also begin to have trouble grooming themselves. As a foster, you can help by regularly brushing them to keep their coat tangle free. If your kitty has arthritis, they may also have trouble cleaning their rear end. Sometimes trimming the hair on their rear end can help keep them clean and tidy.
Here is a helpful video on how to groom your kitty (even if they don't like it).
Senior kitties may also begin to have trouble grooming themselves. As a foster, you can help by regularly brushing them to keep their coat tangle free. If your kitty has arthritis, they may also have trouble cleaning their rear end. Sometimes trimming the hair on their rear end can help keep them clean and tidy.
Here is a helpful video on how to groom your kitty (even if they don't like it).
