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Entry 494Filed under Breeding

What Should You Watch for as Your Cat Gets Older? 3 Often-Missed Needs

A slower pace may hide pain or illness. Learn when senior cats need checkups and what changes in mobility, weight, appetite and drinking to watch for.
4-minute read By Animalso Team
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Older cats can seem merely slower while hiding pain or developing illness. Three needs deserve particular attention: regular veterinary screening, subtle changes in movement and routine, and shifts in weight, appetite and water intake. Small home adjustments can make daily life easier, but a veterinarian should assess new symptoms and guide diagnosis or treatment.

How often should a senior cat see the vet?

The 2021 American Association of Feline Practitioners senior-care guidance recommends checkups at least every six months for cats aged 10 to 15 and every four months for cats older than 15. Cats over 10 are considered senior in the 2021 AAHA/AAFP life-stage guidance. A chronic condition or new concern may call for more frequent visits; your veterinarian can set the interval for your cat.

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A cat may appear well even when a problem is developing. Routine examinations provide an opportunity to assess weight, mouth and teeth, eyes and ears, thyroid, heart and lungs, abdomen, joints and muscles, blood pressure, and skin and coat. Annual blood and urine tests can help identify problems and track changes over time; the veterinarian can advise which tests make sense for the individual cat.

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Keep a brief record of changes between visits. Notes on appetite, drinking, urination, weight, grooming, jumping and litter-box habits can help your veterinarian distinguish a gradual shift from a sudden one.

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What changes can signal pain or difficulty getting around?

Cats do not always limp when they hurt. The Feline Veterinary Medical Association’s senior-care brochure says, “Any change in your cat’s normal behavior or routine can be a sign of pain.” Studies cited in that brochure report degenerative joint disease in as many as 92% of cats; that figure does not mean every affected cat will show obvious lameness or need the same care.

Watch for changes in ordinary routines

  • Jumping less often, hesitating before a jump, or avoiding stairs.
  • Withdrawing, becoming irritable, or changing sleeping or social habits.
  • Grooming less, developing a poor coat, or having trouble reaching parts of the body.
  • Avoiding the litter box or having accidents, which can reflect pain or illness rather than a behavior problem.

Do not dismiss these changes as “just old age.” A new litter accident, in particular, deserves veterinary attention rather than punishment or an assumption that the cat is being difficult. As Cornell veterinarian Richard Goldstein puts it, “Growing older is not a disease.”

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Make important places easier to reach

Arthritis can make it harder to reach litter boxes, food and water, especially if access involves stairs or a jump. A low-entry litter box may ease entry. Place food and water where the cat can reach them comfortably, and consider stable steps or a ramp with firm, non-slip footing for a favorite perch. Check that any aid is secure and that your cat accepts using it; these adjustments improve access but do not treat the cause of pain.

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Why track weight, appetite and water intake?

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can be quiet early: cats commonly show no obvious clinical signs at that stage. Cornell Feline Health Center reports that CKD affects up to 40% of cats over age 10 and 80% of cats over age 15; those figures are estimates for the age groups, not a diagnosis for an individual cat. A cat that seems unchanged at home can still benefit from regular veterinary assessment.

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At home, note gradual weight gain or loss, changes in appetite, and whether your cat seems to drink or urinate more or less than usual. A low-weight scale, such as a baby scale, can help track weight if your cat will tolerate it. Share the trend with your veterinarian rather than using a home measurement to diagnose a condition.

When CKD is suspected or diagnosed, evaluation may include blood tests, urinalysis, blood-pressure measurement and other diagnostics based on the cat. Cornell notes that CKD staging should be done when the cat is hydrated and stable. Management is individualized and aims to slow progression while maintaining quality of life.

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Keep water and food routines practical

Offer clean water in more than one place. Some cats with CKD prefer a fountain, but a fountain is optional; clean bowls in convenient locations are also appropriate. Ask the veterinarian before trying food or supplements intended to increase water intake.

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Therapeutic diets can be an important part of CKD care, but they are not a general recommendation for healthy cats. Cornell cites studies suggesting longer survival for cats eating prescription kidney diets than for cats eating standard food; that does not guarantee an outcome for any one cat. If a cat with diagnosed CKD resists a prescribed diet, contact the veterinarian about a transition plan. Continuing to eat is crucial, and you should not change the cat’s diet without veterinary advice.

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Which other changes should prompt a call?

Along with mobility, weight and drinking, pay attention to reduced appetite; nausea, vomiting or constipation; changes in urine volume; muscle loss; lumps or sores; and difficulty breathing, urinating or passing stool. A sudden decline in grooming can be a sign of a health problem as well as a practical need for grooming support. Tell your veterinarian about new or persistent changes, including when they began and how they affect the cat’s routine.

If your cat is grooming less, gentle brushing or combing may help keep the coat comfortable, especially if it mats easily. Stop if handling appears painful, and discuss the change in grooming with the veterinarian rather than treating grooming help as a substitute for an examination. Predictable routines and easy access to fresh water, food and litter can also make everyday care more manageable.

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