Caring for Your Senior Cat: Essential Health Tips

Because of advances in medicine and nutrition in the last few decades, cats are living longer than ever before. It’s not uncommon for them to reach their late teens, and some cats even get into their twenties nowadays. Whether you’ve had your cat since they were a kitten or adopted them later in life, caring for a senior cat can be wonderfully rewarding, but it does come with its own challenges. 

Cats love to live life in three dimensions, climbing and exploring and watching the world go by from on high. With this in mind, it’s not only health issues that pet parents need to bear in mind with older cats but their lifestyle as well. In this article we’ll look at the common health problems that old cats face and how you can make changes in your home to keep them comfortable and happy in their senior years.

When is a cat old and what are the signs of ageing?

According to Blue Cross, cats are mature at around 7 years of age with an average lifespan of 12–13 years, although some cats can live up to 20 years or longer. As your cat tiptoes towards double figures, you might start to notice some changes. The common signs of ageing in cats are:

• Sleeping more and/or changed sleeping patterns
• Unkempt fur due to difficulty grooming
• Reluctance or inability to jump onto higher surfaces or furniture
• Brittle claws due to reduced time using scratching posts
• Bad breath
• Toileting accidents
• Weight gain or loss
• Behaviour changes
• Balance problems
• Drinking more than usual

Your cat will get a thorough physical check up every year when they have their vaccinations, but as your cat gets older, it’s a good idea to increase this to every 6 months. Over the age of ten, your vet may recommend a yearly blood and urine test to check organ health and the immune system. In the super senior years, your vet may recommend these blood and urine tests every 6 months. Remember that each year for us is equivalent to around 4 years for your cat, so more regular check-ups make sense. What will your vet be looking out for in these checks?

Common health problems in old cats

As with us humans, the likelihood of disease and health problems in pets increases with age. The body starts to show signs of wear and tear from all of life’s adventures, and organs start to work less efficiently.

• Joint disease. The medical term for this is osteoarthritis or arthritis for short. Cats love to climb and jump, and after years of this impact and effort, the joints start to get damaged. Any joints can be affected, as can the spine. This will make it more difficult for your cat to jump up, groom themselves and crouch to go to the toilet. The majority of older cats have some degree of osteoarthritis, but since they don’t always show pain, it’s difficult to detect without x-rays. It’s safe to assume, though, that very senior cats will most likely have some degree of osteoarthritis.
• Kidney disease. Behind joint disease, kidney disease is one of the most common health issues in older cats. The kidneys have a big reserve, so you don’t usually see signs of issues until they have lost about 70% of their function. You may notice your cat drinking and weeing more than usual, and they might start to go off their food, lose weight and have bad breath.
• Hyperthyroidism. The thyroid gland is like the body’s internal thermostat, and it controls our metabolism. Older cats are prone to benign tumours in the thyroid, which produce too much of the thyroid hormone, turning up the thermostat and sending the body into overdrive. Your cat may eat ravenously but lose weight. They may vocalise more than normal and be very restless or even aggressive.
• Dental disease. It’s a good idea to look after your cat’s teeth from as young an age as possible, preferably with brushing. As your cat gets older, they may be more prone to plaque, tartar build-up and gum disease. Teeth may get cavities or become chipped or cracked. Your vet may recommend cleaning under anaesthetic, and teeth may need to be removed.
• Cognitive dysfunction. Just the same as in humans, cats can get dementia or cognitive dysfunction syndrome. They might start to have broken sleep patterns, seem confused, lose their house-training, vocalise more than usual and be less responsive to you.
• Cancer. This is more common in old cats, and any signs you see will depend on the organ or organs that are affected.

The blood and urine tests and the physical exam that your vet performs will help to diagnose or rule these things out. The blood and urine tests are a way to catch these problems as early as possible, hopefully before the disease is advanced. There are many treatment options available now, as well as therapeutic diets that can make huge differences in your cat’s quality and length of life while living with these issues.

How can you help your senior cat?

In addition to keeping up to date on your vet visits, there are lots of things you can do at home to make your cat’s later years as easy as possible.

Feeding a senior cat

If your cat doesn’t have any health issues, you should feed them a mature or senior cat food, depending on their age. These have slightly different mineral and protein levels to take some of the strain off the organs. Foods for older cats tend to be lower in calories because less active cats are likely to gain weight. Some senior foods may have more calories because super senior cats may struggle to maintain a healthy weight and muscle mass. Ask your vet what food to feed your cat given their age, lifestyle and body condition. Keeping them slim throughout life is proven to increase their lifespan.

Old cats tend to have reduced taste and smell, so you might want to offer different flavours and textures of food to encourage your cat to eat. Warming food slightly makes it more palatable, too. If your cat has dental issues, you may find they prefer wet food such as tins or pouches, or you can try soaking their biscuits in warm water to soften them.

It’s not just what you feed your cat, but how. As we said, older cats usually have some level of joint disease. It may be painful for them to crouch to eat or put their head down. Feeding from a step or putting the bowl on a small box can help them eat more comfortably. Feed them somewhere quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of a busy kitchen.

Your vet may recommend a therapeutic diet if your cat has been diagnosed with an illness such as the aforementioned arthritis. Some diseases, such as kidney disease, can be difficult to spot because you don’t see signs until the disease is advanced. Your vet will recommend blood tests more frequently as your cat ages to detect these conditions early. Remember never to feed your cat a therapeutic diet without the say-so from your vet.

Water is always important but as your cat gets older, keeping them well hydrated is even more important. Feeding them wet food or soaking their kibble is the easiest way to ensure water intake. Fountains are also popular, as many cats prefer to drink running water. Try to put several water bowls around the house so that your cat never needs to go far to get a drink.

Coat and claws

Cats are well-known for being fastidiously clean and grooming for hours a day. As your cat becomes less comfortable doing this, you should try to help out. Remember to groom them gently because they may be sore.

Arthritic cats find it more difficult to stretch in order to scratch and keep their claws in good condition. Try to provide horizontal scratching posts. Keep an eye on their claws and trim them if they are starting to get too long. Ask your vet or vet nurse to show you how to do it if you have any doubts.

Home comforts

As your cat gets less mobile, you can try to make adjustments in the home to accommodate them. Cat ladders and ramps can ensure that your cat can still feel safe and sleep in their favourite high places. Make sure their beds are super comfortable for those creaky joints.

Even if your cat has access to the outside, you should provide litter trays, preferably with low sides so it’s easy to get in and out. Old cats want to stay warm and dry and close to home, so they might stop going outside or go less often, and you may end up with accidents. Make sure the trays are away from their food and water and also in a quiet place.

Looking after mental health

We mentioned cognitive dysfunction, and you can help with this by keeping your cat mentally stimulated. Puzzle feeders and similar cat activity centres can be a good way to keep your cat’s brain young and active.

The golden years

You can see that, just like us, the golden years for your cat come with challenges, but those years can be some of their best. By watching out for signs of ageing, ensuring regular vet visits and following these home care tips, your older cat can have a happy, cosy and comfortable retirement.

Senior cat health problem FAQs

1. At what age is a cat senior? 11+ years.
2. How do I know if my cat’s in pain? Watch for reluctance to jump up on or down from furniture. Watch for stiffness after sleeping and limping. A poor coat is also one of the signs of pain because your cat has stopped grooming.
3. Why is my cat drinking so much? This is one of the first signs of many diseases such as diabetes and kidney disease. If you notice any change in your cat’s appetite or thirst, always see your vet.
4. Can cats get dementia? Yes. You can read more about that here.
5. Do I need to change my cat’s food? Around the age of 7 years, your cat should have a mature cat diet and later, a senior life stage food. Your vet may recommend a therapeutic diet if your cat is diagnosed with a disease.

Reviewed by Dr. Hein Meyer, DVM, PhD, Dipl-ECVIM-CA and Dr. Emma Milne BVSc FRCVS.