Cat Senior Care

Cats slow down with age. They may sleep more, not want to exercise as much, put on weight and their personality can change. Don’t forget, senior cats still need regular health exams, even though we may not vaccinate them yearly as they age.

What are the stages of a senior cat’s life? How to spot signs of ageing?

Most cats are considered senior between 7-10 years old. Signs of ageing in cats can be subtle. Loss of hearing, changes in the eyes, changes in eating habits, mobility problems, behavioural changes, skin, nail and coat changes.

My senior cat is losing weight, what can I do?

If your cat is losing weight you should consult your vet in case there is an underlying medical condition. Also, discuss whether feeding a senior diet is advisable.

What are some tips on how to care for my senior cat?

Take your senior kitty for health exams semi-annual, in this way we can spot problems sooner than if they just came in once a year. Make sure litter boxes have low sides, so as it’s easier to get in and out of. Trim their nails regularly and help groom them often (arthritic cats don’t seem to want to groom themselves too much, due to the fact they’re sore).

What are some common health issues experienced by senior cats?

Senior cats tend to have weight gain or loss, arthritis, hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, dental disease, cancer etc.

Why is my senior cat having behavioural issues?

Common behaviour changes and problems are seen in older cats, such as urinating outside of the litter box, spraying and increased aggression. These behaviour issues could be from some underlying cause, i.e. health issue. A full senior exam and blood work is recommended to rule this out.