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Thanks to dedicated care from their humans and advancements in veterinary medicine, cats are living longer lives.
After age 10, considered the beginning of a cat’s “senior years,” the aging process begins to slow your feline
down. However, she still might enjoy another 5 to 10 years of life and love with just a little extra attention
from her owner.
Loss Of Hearing
As with humans, cats often lose their hearing ability as they age. Since cats are famous for their lack of
response due to typical feline aloofness, hearing problems can often go unnoticed. However, an older cat who has
limited hearing and vision is much more vulnerable to threats from cars and dogs on the street. Therefore, if
your older cat starts developing such problems, it’s best to keep them indoors. As a matter of fact, it
is best to keep ALL cats indoors.
Finicky Eaters
In later years, even the most easygoing cat can become a finicky eater. An older cat becomes less interested
in her food as her senses of smell and taste begin to diminish. One way to amplify the scent of her food and make
it more tantalizing is by adding moist food to her diet and warming her meals. Serving your cat moist food will
also increase the amount of water in your cat’s diet, which is a good thing.
Dehydration Danger
It is very important to monitor your older cat’s drinking habits, always making sure that fresh water is
available. Older cats can become dangerously dehydrated rather quickly as their natural thirst often fades with
age. Watch how much water your cat drinks each day. Contact your veterinarian if she suddenly drinks less.
Advanced Medical Care
In recent years there have been huge advances in feline medical care. Although shopping online for cat
medication has become popular, maintain regular vet check-ups.
Common Problems
- gum disease and tooth loss
- difficulties swallowing due to decreased saliva
- less tolerance to extreme heat and/or cold
- a change in their litter habits
- not sleeping well
Arthritis
Fairly common in older cats, arthritis and stiffness means that the cat has more difficulties in moving and
will spend more time sleeping. She will begin to pack on the pounds if her diet stays the same and these extra
pounds not only will add to her discomfort, they will make her more inclined to a sedentary life. Physical
movement will not only help with digestion and bowel function, it will also keep your cat sharp mentally.
Therefore, it is important to encourage an older cat into some type of activity every day.
Potassium Balance
It has been found in recent studies that many older cats have problems with potassium balance. Loss of
appetite, lethargy and poor coat condition have been linked to low blood potassium (a mild form of hypokalemia),
which can damage the older cats already weakening kidneys. The vicious cycle of declining kidney function
increases the loss of potassium in the blood, and in turn causes further deterioration of the kidneys.
Grooming Habits
An older cat’s hair can become dry and painfully matted as they spend less time in their grooming habits.
Therefore, to keep your cat’s coat healthy, regular daily brushing to remove loose hair is important, or your cat
will form uncomfortable hairballs in her stomach, and then on your carpets.
Comfort First
It’s very important that as your cat gets older they be comfortable, so furnish your old girl with cushions, a
heat source, and perhaps even a hammock bed. And, of course, a comfortable, warm bed that she can stretch
out on is essential.
Cats, like humans, develop special needs as they age. Cats, however, are less whiney about it.
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