Changing old cats behavior

Question
Please don't apologize. You should be watching out for the pets, including mine.
I think you're right about petting her more. I think she behaves better.  In fact, I seem to recall that I can groom her when she gets sufficient petting.

Please don't feel under any pressure to forward tips about grooming.  However, I will read them if you do.

Thank you again.
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Followup To

Question -
Thank you for your comments so far. I should have added that I give her a glucosamine-type medication recommended by my vet for arthritis, and salmon oil as well to reduce any inflammation.
   I have also decided to pet her more to see if that reduces the amount of unpleasant meowing.
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Followup To

Question -
My cat is probably 20 years old and is hyperthyroid. She takes medication, and the dose seems about right. I feed her cooked chicken and give her as much dry food as she wants. (Professional Chicken and Rice Formula)and
    I have 2 questions.
1) She barely grooms herself, and has matted fur so I try to groom her,.  Sometimes she's angry though I am very gentle and use the same comb the vet uses. When I scratch her head or pet her on the top of her head and back she purrs. I've thought of giving her a heavy dose of medication and grooming her as she sleeps. Do you have any other ideas.
2) She meows angrily 10-20 times when I don't feed her as much fresh chicken as she likes, or do something else she wants. A year ago I tried various ways of stopping her, by clapping my hands in her face, by saying "No" loudly, and by spraying her face with water when she did. She left home for a day, then came back but would only sleep outside for 2 months. When she came in the house she would only sleep on the kitchen floor in the corner. She did that for so long she got pressure sores on her joints in 3 places.
    I would like her to stop the meowing.  Do you have any ideas about what to do or what not to do?
    I will appreciate any advice you can give me.
    Thank you.


Answer -
Hello Margaret!

Wow...you're little one is a senior kitty!  Congrats to you both for her having such a long, happy life!  It's so rare that a kitty live to be her age...it's always wonderful to hear when one does.  :o)

So, let me start off by saying, in addition to that, that you need to really keep in mind that your kitty is much to the equivalent of a ninety-year-old (or plus) woman at this point.  Her joints are probably quite achy, she's had a certain life for so long, and changing is most probably out of the picture at this point in her life.  The goal with a kitty her age is to make life as comfortable as possible, and not worry much about trying to discipline her or change her behaviour.  I hate to say it, but it's true.  She's very close to the end of her life, so I would first of all recommend relaxing a bit about her complaining...she probably doesn't feel that great in general, so something that small probably just exacerbates her discomfort.  Does that make sense?

I hope you don't mind my saying all that, but please keep in mind that I will keep the kitty in my main focus when giving advice, and I'm just looking out for her best interests, as well as your own.  :o)

As far as grooming her, have you tried calling your vet to see what they suggest?  I haven't had much experience with grooming older cats, so I will post your question on the cat forum I belong to, and I will let you know anything they suggest.  

In the meantime, try to relax, and realize your baby just needs gentle love and assurance at this point in her life.

I will get back to you as soon as I receive word back on ideas to make grooming her easier for you both.  :o)

Hugs to you both!

Rosie*

Answer -
You're so welcome.  I'm sorry if my response was harsh, or anything close.  

Just be sure to be patient with your sweet kitty.  She's having a hard time.  :o)  I think petting her more should help a lot.  :o)

I'll let you know as soon as I get some ideas that will help with her grooming.  :o)

Hugs to you both!

Rosie*

Answer
Hello again, Margaret!

Oh, good.  I'm glad you didn't take my advice in a wrong or sensitive way.  :o)

As far as tips I've received so far about grooming...have you considered taking her either in to the vet or possibly a groomers and have them handle it so it's less stressful for your kitty?  They would have special tools and such that would help them do the job easier (for both them, you, and your kitty).  

I asked if there was anything that could be added to her fur, but it doesn't look like that would help, either.  One person suggested using a slicker brush instead of a comb.  

I also used to have a friend that had a long-haired cat that would get her fur shaved shorter during the summer months to keep her cooler (but you could do it year-round if it helped).  Another reason she did this was because her kitty was so overweight, she couldn't quite groom herself completely.

Well, I hope those ideas work for you!  Let me know how things turn out, okay?  :o)

Hugs!

Rosie