The Senior Cat
There isn’t one specific age that classifies a cat as senior. Like people, some cats age faster than others. Generally speaking, however, older cats can be placed into one of three groups:
- Mature or middle-aged: 7–10 years (44-56 years for humans)
- Senior: 11–14 years (60-72 years for humans)
- Geriatric: 15+ years (76+ years for humans)
You can increase your cat’s chances of living into his teens or early twenties by providing good care at home and regular veterinary care. As your cat ages, be prepared to see physical changes. It’s important to discuss these changes with your veterinarian to determine what is “normal” aging and what may be a sign of illness. With regular check-ups, illnesses can be diagnosed early and age-related health conditions can be delayed or managed.
Some common aging changes include:
- Changes in vision
- Appearance of brown spots in the iris
- Decreased sense of smell
- Brittle or fragile nails
- Decreased lung reserve
- Heart or circulatory problems
- Decreased digestion and ability to absorb nutrients
- Loose, less-elastic skin Reduced ability to handle stress
- Changes in behavior
We all want to grow old with grace and dignity, and we want the same for our pets. Fortunately, expert understanding of cat health and advances in veterinary medicine means cats can live longer, better lives than ever before.
There’s so much you can do to keep your cat healthy and happy. We have additional tips for caring for your senior cat:
1. Schedule Regular Wellness Check-ups
Develop healthy veterinary visit habits with your cat while it is still healthy. Regular visits can build a relationship with our veterinarians so we can get to know your cat and detect subtle changes that may indicate a health condition or disease. Your cat will need more visits as they age, usually about every 6 months, even if your cat appears healthy. Please remember 6 months in cat years is roughly equivalent to 2-3 years for a person and a lot can change in that time.
2. Set Your Senior Cat Up for Success
Reduce the stress by creating a habit of your cat being comfortable with it's carrier. Making their carrier cozy with soft, familiar bedding makes it easier to get your cat into the carrier on the appointment days. Give yourself plenty of time so you are not hurried and can place your cat in the carrier calmly. Covering the carrier for your travel to the car and then to the office can help keep your cat calm. When arriving to the office, check in and find a quiet place to sit in the waiting area. Be prepare, have a list of questions or concerns to ask your veterinarian at your cat’s wellness check-up.
3. Learn Your Cat’s Habits and Pay Attention to Changes
Cats are masters at hiding illness. Changes can be subtle and easily missed. If you notice a difference in behavior, appetite, eliminations or comfort don’t ignore it, let us know! Keep track of changes - make notes and discuss with us on your visit. We rely on you since you know your cat and it's routines better than anyone.
4. Beware of Changes in Weight
Both weight gain AND unplanned weight loss are signs that your cat needs to be seen. Overweight cats are more likely to get chronic diseases and have a shortened life span. Senior cats that are underweight can be a sign something is wrong. Some common diseases that may cause weight loss in senior cats are hyperthyroidism, intestinal disease, and diabetes. Senior cats with these ailments may still have a normal or even increased appetite. Monitoring your cat’s weight is one of the most important reasons for regular wellness examinations, gradual changes in weight are hard to notice.
5. Slowing Down? There may be more to it.
Slowing down is a common description given to us at the time of taking your cats history. Your cat can be experiencing underlying discomfort or pain. Arthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease) is present in most older cats. Appropriate treatment can help your cat remain active and engaged. If your cat has difficulty going up or down steps, does not jump like he used to, or is having accidents (isn’t using the litter box) there could be arthritis and other joint discomforts.
6. What surprise awaits in the litter box?
Are your cat’s stools softer, harder, or changing color? Is he defecating daily? Constipation is a common, yet under recognized, sign of dehydration in older cats. If attended to early, we can help your kitty to feel comfortable and avoid any chronic issues that may require hospitalization. Has the amount of urine in the litter box changed? Increased urine output can signal some of the most common illnesses in elderly cats – from diabetes or an over active thyroid gland to kidney disease and/or high blood pressure.
7. Take a “Cat’s View” of the Litter Box
If your cat starts to miss the litter box and or have “accidents” around your house, there may be a medical issue causing them to house-soil. Urinary infections, constipation, arthritis, and muscle weakness are just a few of the reasons an older cat can develop litter box issues. We can look into medical issues and help you figure out the home or environmental concerns that may be causing the changes in your cat’s behavior. Is the litter box easy for your elderly cat to get in and out? Are the sides of litter box too high or litter depth to deep your cat sinks? Is the location of the litter box easy for your cat to access? Is the litter box in an quiet area that is protected from other pets that may startle or frighten your older cat? Are you scooping and cleaning the litter box often enough to keep up with that increased urine output? Is the litter gentle on your senior cat’s paws?
8. Senior cats need comfort, making changes.
You will need to make some adjustments in your household for your senior cat. As cats grow older, they often need extra padding and warmth for comfort. Provide soft sleeping places and make their preferred sleeping and resting spots easily accessible with stepping stools, ramps, and other assistance.
9. What and How Much Is Your Cat Eating?
Nutritional needs change for healthy older cats and those with chronic diseases. It is important to discuss nutrition for senior cats. Getting a senior cat on age appropriate nutrition will help build their immune system give them healthy vision, skin and coat. Senior diets are highly digestible and nutrient dense to help maintain appropriate weight. There are some prescription diets that can help reduce and maintain signs of chronic disease in cats. Cat owners are often unaware how much their cat is actually eating on a daily basis, especially in households with multiple cats. Monitor food intake so you know immediately if your cat is eating less.
10. Years Building Your Special Bond
Bonds with our senior pet are special. We rely on our cats as much as they rely on us. Elderly cats often crave more attention than they had earlier in life. Continue to provide physical and mental stimulation by petting, playing, and interacting in your special ways. Senior cats can struggle to groom if they are experiencing discomfort from arthritis. You can help them by grooming them gently with brushing or combing. Senior cats are prone to overgrown nails that can grow into the paw pads, this is painful, avoid this with regular nail trims.
Providing your cat with good and regular preventive health care, can allow your cat to live a longer, more comfortable life. That is the only way to keep your senior cat healthy and a step ahead from any unforeseen illnesses. Many cats dislike going to the veterinarian and that usually starts with the difficulty of getting your cat into the carrier. Once you’ve mastered how to get your cat into their carrier, the entire veterinary visit is usually less stressful.