Sometimes, you know, when I see my tabby, and I see that his eyes are a little cloudier than they once were, or I notice that he’s been sleeping upstairs the entire afternoon, or he groans a little when I pick him up and give him a hug, it occurs to me that nature is cruel.
Because with as much as we love our pets, and with how purely and unconditionally they love us back, it seems like a cruel twist of fate, doesn’t it? — that they don’t live as long as we do? 🙁
Tabs is getting up there in years. We think he’s between 11-12 now. He’s still a world-renowned kitty supermodel, but the signs of aging have appeared. It seemed like all of a sudden one day his eyes weren’t as bright as they used to be, and he started napping (and turning down more kitty modeling jobs) more than he used to.
He still plays like a boss, of course, and has his spunky kitten moments, but they don’t happen quite as much as they used to.
I notice now when I think he’s having a really good day, and he’s been having them a lot lately.
I think it’s because of a couple of things (but I’m not sure). First, we’ve been doing more high intensity play sessions together. Also, he’s been getting a can of wet food, with some water added for extra gravy, every single night for a few months.
I mean, we’ve always played together. A lot. And he’s always gotten wet food, but they used to be more in spurts. Some days we’d play a full hour, but then not play as much the next day. And with his wet food, some days he’d get two cans of the good stuff (his favorite wet food is ZiwiPeak Venison & Fish, but it’s imported and pricey), but then maybe just one can of Sheba Turkey Pâté the next day. And he’s generally always supplemented his diet throughout the day with crunchies.
Now, though, I’m noticing that he’ll basically wait all day long without filling up on his dry food just save up his appetite for his gravy dinner, and whether it’s that or the extra play sessions or the holiday spirit or something else, he seems more like his younger kitten self.
Basically, he’s having a really good December. 🙂 He’s purring more, playing more, cleaning more, meowing more, and his fur seems more luxurious, too.
I hope he has a wonderful Christmas, because he’s a wonderful cat.
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
He really is a wonderful cat and a beautiful boy. <3
Tabs still has plenty of years ahead of him! Wet food helped my kitty lose weight and made his coat look way better! And less puking, lol!
He is a beautiful boy ?
The furbabies are such a huge part of our lives. I have two dogs that have my heart. They’re 6 and 7 and it feels like they were pups just yesterday so I feel the march of time too. I switched them to a food brand called Honest Kitchen a couple of years ago (dehydrated raw, mix with water) — and it perked them both up so much. It’s not cheap, but I spend the $$ happily because I love them. You will get to love on Tabs for lots of years yet.
My cat refuses to eat wet food! We’ve tried it a half dozen times, taken away her dry food and given her wet food, but she’ll just sit there crying all day and all night and won’t eat it. I don’t understand! My theory is that since she lived in a shelter until age 1.5-2 and they couldn’t afford to give all the cats wet food, she just never got used to it.
Tabs still has many years of kitty modeling to look forward to. In fact he’s just getting into his golden years!
Having regular, very energetic play time has helped our husky tabby too! He’s 14 and likes his down time, but every day scheduled play time really seems to perk him up. Just like us I suppose! Peace and love from me and my tabby to you and yours!
Tee hee, how cute is he in those pics with that ribbon… 🙂
Good to hear Mr. Tabs is doing so well! He’s still in fine form!
Awww Tabs! Yes he is geriatric but a young geriatric… 18 is about average for a well-cared for indoor cat. They can get to 20 sometimes too.
<3
awwww sweet boy! my Itchy who looks a lot like Tabs is going to be 14 next August and Chase who just underwent major surgery is going to be 18 in April!!! they don’t play as much and sleep all day and come for cuddles and rubs but I’ll take it.
I would like to follow the Tabs Diet. 😀
Tabs is always looking so handsome! Since we’ve had UTI problems with both Mingus and Ella they get wet food mixed with water twice a day. I’ve noticed they’re drinking more water with the Big Head water bowl from ViviPet.
Great to hear that Tabs is doing well. 🙂
I love how much you love him. That’s how I feel about my cats too. Tabs is one lucky guy.
Karen,
I know EXACTLY how you feel. My sweet Rose is 12, going to be 13 in February. I got her from the ASPCA in Manhattan when she was 6 months old–and she is my first cat. I have noticed that she sleeps more now too, but she still has a lot of spunk. I have to remember to play more with her and keep her active.
Indoor cats can easily live to be 18-20 years old or more with good quality of life, so I pray we have our kitties for a long time!
Rose gets wet food twice a day and she supplements with Blue Buffalo “crunchies” as needed.
xoxo
Anne Marie
May he live a long and very happy life with you & your family.
Cherish everyday. I told my cat I loved him everyday he was alive. He knew he was so loved. He was my cat soul mate. 😉
May he live a long and happy life with you & your family.
I agree with the other poster, I love how much you love him. And can relate.
You really do have a talent for writing.
I love hearing about Tabs. You put into words exactly how I feel about my cat. I also have a tabby cat who is almost 13 years old. I treasure every single moment we have together as I know that there will be a day that he won’t be here. I wish you, Tabs, and your family a very Happy Holiday season! 🙂
I think Tabs still looks like a young boy!! <3