My 18-year-old beloved tortoiseshell (calico) long-hair female seems to be going deaf. Her sight is already impaired in one of her eyes. So concerned over her as she no longer wants to go out, does not trust anyone other than me and is losing confidence.

I even now have to feed her in my bedroom where there is no ‘foot traffic’, something my partner hates. I don’t know what else to do to help her but as she is also a renal cat with thyroid problems, I have to ensure she eats no matter where it may be. Any advice about either puss or partner?

Ellen

Hi Ellen, I’ll try respond myself and hopefully my colleagues with respond too. To be honest I don’t think you can do much more than you are already doing. After all a cat caretaker can do no more than help make life as comfortable as possible provided the correct veterinary advice has been received on medical problems.

I presume you have directions from the vet on dealing with renal and thyroid problems. As to being partially blind we know cats compensate very well. The same for the hearing. Keeping to routines and leaving everything in its place helps to create certainties and markers for a cat with poor sight or who is blind.

If feeding her in a quiet place such as your bedroom helps her to eat then I would hope your partner is patient and will accept it.