Some cats have never learned to play, Andy: she does sound as if she prefers to be quiet. That being the case, and taking her age into account, she probably won't require masses of food. (If a cat's hungry, it will normally let you know...... )

  Another sucker. Welcome to the club, Andy.

Thanks for that MJ, they seem to have a choice of dry food for the older cat - I've found 5 on their website:

Feline Light Mature Adult / Senior 7+ Chicken     
Senior cats needing fewer calories, eg: less active, neutered or prone to obesity

Feline Hairball Control Formula Senior™    
Senior cats, to help minimise the formation of hairballs

Feline Mature Adult / Senior 7+ Chicken    
Healthy cats from 7 years old

Feline Mature Adult / Senior 7+ with Tuna    
Healthy cats from 7 years old

Neutered Cat Mature Adult    
Neutered Cats from 7 years old

And of course you'll need to check her for fleas...does she scratch herself a lot? I've just done all our cats with those drops on the back of the head - the vet/vet nurse  will explain when you take her. You'll need to register her for her annual jabs to protect her from cat flu. Older cats don't need the additional jab for "feline leukaemia", and in her last couple of years Holly didn't have any jabs at all as she'd have a fit when she became stressed so we didn't risk putting her in the box as that would have upset her. But Pixie could do with a checkup. You could ask neighbours if they can recommend a good vet. They do vary. Ours is very expensive but very good, with a newly built "hospital" on the premises - people travel to it from miles away.

Sorry to mention it but you did imply a couple of days ago that she might sometimes become constipated - in which case it may be kinder to her (if not to you) to give her a little wet food now and again too - you can buy it in small sachets so you won't have to put an opened tin in the fridge. The cheaper versions can have the opposite effect on a cat's bowels though so don't get the cheapest option!

Hope all this hasn't put you off! She's worth it!

PS Anty's post has just arrived - I gave mine Iams for quite a while. It was OK but now they've had Hill's they don't like Iams much if I get it as a change.

I used to use that back of the head stuff for fleas but if Pixie is going to be an indoor cat once you get rid of any she may have you won't need to repeat the process.

The annual jabs are also needed if she has to go to a cattery when you go on holiday, catteries won't accept cats which aren't up to date with innoculation for cat flu and as MJ says older cats don't need the feline leukaemia jab.

I hope all this is not putting you off Andy! 

I'm not sure if constipation in cats is a suitable subject for Sunday lunchtime 

I used to give mine sardines or tuna in oil, don't know what MabelJane would think of that?  It is important to have a bowl of fresh water, it's surprising how much cats drink.  I can't remember the reason why but you shouldn't give cats cows milk but you can buy cartons of special milk for cats (Whiskas make it) so you could try that to increase her fluid intake. I also used to include cooked carrots and peas in their food which they liked.

Oh, and of course, best wishes for your Mum's recovery.

George! Honestly. 

IAMS are excellent, Andy. And Anty's right about the jabs - best to get them set up sooner rather than later. And if she's not scratching manically, as if the itch has come on very suddenly and needs immediate relief, then she hasn't got fleas.

Mistress Martlepuss won't touch cat milk. And she'll only drink water out of a) a dripping tap, or b) a good quality crystal glass. I'm not, sadly, kidding. 

I spoke to my mother before I read yr post Anty and she said that Pixie likes cows' milk so I gave her a saucer full of skimmed which she's finished. I also tried mixing some chopped cooked carrots into her dry mix and she seems to have left every single piece