Help veterinary clients speak "cat": Posts and tweets about senior cats

"... you understand what I'm sayin' ..." (Getty Images)Cat owners think they know their senior cats. After all, they've spent a lifetime together. But you know how cats can be crazy subtle when it comes to communicating discomfort and disease. Clue your clients in on cats' secret language of “I'm not feeling so great” by sharing these Facebook posts and tweets about three common senior feline issues: pain, diabetes and periodontal disease.

Pain

Facebook post: Has your older cat been acting like a bit of a grouch, flattening her ears back, crouching up her body or hiding? Cats are notorious pain disguisers, but these are signs they may be hurting. Bring her in today and we'll pinpoint the cause and investigate possible solutions.

Facebook post: Not as nimble a jumper as he used to be? Slumping on the grooming a bit? Suddenly aggressive when you touch him? If you've noticed these signs in your cat, he might be experiencing pain. Bring him in ASAP-and we can help!

Tweet: Cat translation tip: Grouchiness, crouching and hiding = A cat is in pain. Sound like your cat? Come see us!

Tweet: Cat translation tip: Hesitancy to jump, an unkempt coat, a “Don't touch me!” swipe = A cat is in pain. Sound like your cat? Come see us!

Bonus resource: Client handout: Identifying pain: The enigmatic ways pets show-and hide-pain

Diabetes

Facebook post: Has your cat been drinking a lot more water and visiting the litterbox more often? Oof, all that scooping! Increased drinking and frequent urination are signs of diabetes. Bring in your cat today and stop the perpetual watering cycle.

Facebook post: “Oh boy, oh boy! I can't stop eating, and yet I seem to be slimming down-how lucky am I!” If your older cat could make this boast, it's really not a good thing. She could have diabetes. Bring her in today and we'll investigate.

Tweet: Cat translation tip: Drink, drink, drink, pee, pee, pee, repeat, repeat, repeat = Diabetes. Sound like your cat? Come see us!

Tweet: Cat translation tip: Ravenous appetite + weight loss = Diabetes. Sound like your cat? Come see us!

Bonus resource: Client handout: My pet has diabetes...now what?

Periodontal disease

Facebook post: Is a new nickname for your older cat “Mr. Stinky Breath”? Not so cute when you consider that the sudden stank is there for a reason and may be causing your cat pain. Schedule a dental exam and cleaning today, and we'll get him pain-free and back to being “The Fresh Prince of Bel Air.”

Facebook post: If your older cat suddenly eschews her favorite treat and other mouth-watering morsels, it can be a sign of many things-including dental disease. It hurts to eat! Schedule an appointment, and we'll investigate the cause together.

Tweet: Cat translation tip: “No thanks, I'm not hungry” = Possible dental disease. Sound like your cat? Come see us!

Tweet: Cat translation tip: Stinky, nauseating breath = Book a dental exam appointment already!

Bonus resource: Client handout: What's in your cat's mouth?