A Guide to Caring for Your Senior Cat
Read on for tips on how to take care of senior cats and keep them healthy.
Your cat may be napping more, not playing with you as much, or having trouble jumping as high as she used to. It’s normal for your cat to exhibit these behaviors as she reaches her senior years. Cats will―just like humans, want to slow down with age.
However, your cat’s health, nutrition, and exercise needs will also change with their age. Now they will require adapted routines and more frequent visits to the veterinarian.
When Is a Cat Considered Senior?
Many cats live well into their teens and twenties, so owners often wonder: When does a cat become a senior citizen?
For the average cat, these stages are roughly indicative:
- Kitten: 1 year and older
- Young adult: 1 to 6 years old
- Mature adult: 7-10 years old
- Senior: 11 to 14 years
- Geriatric: 15+ years
Senior Health Issues to Watch Out For
You, as a conscientious cat parent, should watch out for any signs of your cat’s health deteriorating because her immune system isn’t as resilient as it once was.
You should seek the advice of your veterinarian if you notice any of the following general warning signs:
- Balance problems
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Lethargy
- Increased daily drinking or more frequent drinking
- An inability to jump up, stiffness, or lameness
- A lump or bump on any part of the body
- Urine or feces passing difficulties or toilet accidents
- Anxiety or disorientation
- Excessive vocalization, hiding, or aggression
Schedule Regular Wellness Exams
With age, your cat’s need for regular wellness checkups increases, just as it does with humans. Veterinarians recommend that cats over the age of 6 months be examined at least once a year.
The purpose is to achieve the following:
- Ensure a long and healthy life.
- Identify and control the health risks associated with older cats.
- Identify disease signs at their earliest stage, when they are most.
How to Care for Your Senior Cat
To help Fluffy cope with the aging process, here are a few other things you can do:
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Accessibility
Provide her with easy access to food, water, and the toilet. Cats’ mobility and ability to jump will diminish as their joints age. If you used high-sided boxes when Fluffy was younger, you might consider getting her an older box with shorter sides as she ages.
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Hygiene and maintenance
As cat ages, its claws become thicker and more brittle, so they need to be clipped more often. In addition, as your cat stops grooming herself frequently, you might have to step in and gently groom her to prevent matting and inflammation.
Healthy and nutritious food are essential for your cat. If you’re unsure about your cat’s caloric needs, consult a vet. An older cat’s health still depends on exercise and activity. Play with your cat moderately to keep her active.
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Be gentle and considerate
Aging causes hearing and vision loss. Remember to approach carefully and slowly if your cat’s hearing or vision has been significantly impaired. An aging cat may become more anxious and skittish due to hearing and sight loss. Make Fluffy’s environment as stress-free as possible.
Keeping your cat healthy as she ages will ensure that you and she can enjoy her senior years together. By becoming familiar with the unique needs of older cats, you will be better prepared to care for her as she ages.
