Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Marbs and I am nearly 16 years old.  I am a beautiful, short haired, black cat and in spite of my age, if I do say so myself, I am still extremely lovely.  As a matter of fact, I am a princess.  I admit to be nearly 16 but looking at me, I’m sure you would agree that I look about 12.  I had a bit of a sad and chequered past before adoption by my servants but now I have the royal life I deserve. 

 

My “minions”, also known as my two legged servants, do a pretty good job.  Any aging cat, regardless of royal status, deserves to be pampered and this included the dreaded veterinary checks. You may not know this but older cats are at risk of developing;

 

• Renal (kidney) diseases leading to renal failure.

• Osteoarthritis.

• Cancers

• Matting due to reduced grooming (I insist I am brushed at least once a day). 

• Dental disease.

 

I find that my personal veterinarian helps to identify and treat these annoyances, sometimes stopping them before they become an issue at all.

 

As a Princess, I demand to be able to sleep wherever I want.  This is usually curled up right next to the female servant. My male servant is handy. He brushes me, empties my litter tray and feeds me on demand but I still find him to be annoying.  My female servant is my favourite, I secretly adore her. In the catering department I demand only the highest quality food designed specifically for my needs. One of my many requirements is supplementation and injections for my osteoarthritis. Just like Rama’s story, I too receive cartrophen injections to relieve me of my joint pain. I am also being fed Hills J/D (mobility) diet to provide me with the omega 3 fatty acids which lubricate my joints. I enjoy and deserve these biscuits very much. They also help keep what teeth I have left (6) clean and healthy. My teeth and I parted ways at different times with some just vanishing into the abyss and others being removed by my veterinarian. Dental checks are very important you know so I always have my remaining teeth checked whenever my servants take me for my check up.  

 

I deserve only the best and I insist I am brushed at least once a day.  I do understand that some of my fellow felines don’t like being brushed, however I find that my beautiful looks are maintained and my embarrassing hairball problem is reduced with regular brushing.  If only my servants brushed me more often, my beautiful glossy coat would be even better. 

I do understand some older cats certainly aren’t as lovely as me but we all deserve the best in our later years. Please ensure to give your servants ‘the slow blink’ and let them know how important you really are. Just look at me, master of servant control,  you too could be this lucky.