Texas lite kitty

[jodawi]

Elderly cat stopped self-grooming a year or two ago. Long-haired, so fur got all matted. Got lion cut before, worked ok. Regrew, got matted. Got lion cut again, now shivers all day. Even in a room that claims to be 80 degrees. Bought a "sweater" which is more like an elastic shirt, and that didn't fix it. Has heated beds that only heat a little and only after weight is detected, so they start out cold, but she'll hopefully use them (already uses one, but in a cold room).

Pondering sewing a warmer thing (complicated by needing to get weekly saline injection around her shoulders, and needing it to be stretchy but warm). She has bad pooping habits which make it better for her to be locked out of the warmer room at night, making it all the more difficult.

Maybe an oil heater radiator thing in a big box with the cat bed? Warming pads tend to automatically shut off after a while and only warms the bottom part. 

Comments

[eeyorerin]

They make microwavable hot packs that you can put in cat beds. That might be a thing to try. They stay warm for a long time. (They're designed primarily to keep kittens warm.)

Human baby onesies work just as well too and some have shoulder snaps that would make the injection site more reachable.

[jodawi]

I made a spacious, warm, comfy place for cold elderly kitty. Cold elderly kitty says "Are you trying to kill me or something? I'm not using that!" So she gains access to the warm office that we didn't want her pooping in. Seems to have stopped shivering.

[tarasacon]

Habitat things for reptiles stay warm longer. There are fake rocks and such like. Might be worth investigating?

I also recommend blood work from the vet, because a change in ability to stay warm might indicate that something new is out of whack, and with elderly kitties that can be a rapid decline. *hug hug hug*