Caring for Your Senior Cat — Today, our cats are living longer than ever before, many times into their late teens and sometimes even into their 20s. However, with this shift toward older cats, we’re also seeing age-related conditions that were less common before.
What is a Senior Cat? — Though there is not one age at which a cat is considered senior, the American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) suggests the following classification: 7 to 10 years – mature or middle-aged; senior – 11 to 14 years; and geriatric – 15 years and older.
Common Problems in Senior Cats — From arthritis to cancer, the illnesses and ailments affecting older cats are actually quite similar to what senior people deal with. Common diseases seen in senior cats include:
- Dental disease and other oral diseases (e.g. periodontal disease, stomatitis)
- Hyperthyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Diabetes
- Pancreatitis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Constipation
- Heart disease (e.g. cardiomyopathy)
- Lung disease
- Cancer
- Deafness
- Changes in vision and other eye abnormalities
- Cognitive decline
- Muscle wasting
- Dehydration
Signs and symptoms associated with many of these age-related diseases may be subtle and difficult to notice. Regular veterinary examinations are recommended, particularly for middle-aged to older cats. These examinations can often detect evidence of disease before the condition becomes serious. Early detection may mean better success in treating the disease and less discomfort for your cat as well as less expense for you. Sometimes something as simple as a nutritional change is all that is necessary to make a big difference in your aging cat’s quality of life.
Tasty Tips
Related products
Sterilised Cat Adult Cat Food
Precisely balanced nutrition with a unique weight management formula and clinically proven antioxidants to help keep neutered cats in great shape.
Feline Kitten
Hill's Science Plan Kitten Wet Cat Food Premium Chunks in Sauce with Ocean Fish is a complete pet food for kittens and for pregnant or nursing cats
STERILISED CAT ADULT CAT FOOD
Precisely balanced nutrition with a unique weight management formula and clinically proven antioxidants to help keep neutered cats in great shape.
Mature Adult 7+ Cat Food
Hill's Science Plan Mature Adult Cat Food with Salmon is a complete pet food, specially formulated with ActivBiome+ Multi-Benefit Technology.
This food supports graceful aging in cats, providing a synergistic ingredient blend to help support energy & activity levels.
Related articles
Cat Poo: A Comprehensive Guide
Learn how your cat's poo can be a good indicator of her overall health, including how to spot unhealthy or abnormal cat poop and what it might mean.
Helping a Cat with Sensitive Skin
Cats with sensitive skin have special needs and even healthy cats can sometimes develop poor skin health. Learn more about sensitive skin symptoms in your cat, what you can do to help your pet feel more comfortable and get recommendations on sensitive skin cat food.
Is your cat putting on weight?
Learn about the warning signs, symptoms, and treatments of cat obesity and weight management in cats and the conditions that affect on your cat.
Cat Eye Care: Recognizing and Preventing 6 Cat Eye Problems
Learn about common eye problems in cats, such as conjunctivitis and corneal ulcers, as well as their causes, symptoms and treatment options
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.
Put your cat on a diet without them knowing
Our low calorie formula helps you control your cat's weight. It's packed with high-quality protein for building lean muscles, and made with purposeful ingredients for a flavorful, nutritious meal. Clinically proven antioxidants, Vitamin C+E, help promote a healthy immune system.