Caring for older cats

As your cat gets older, you may notice them exercising less and sleeping more. Their personality may change and they might want to spend more time with you. It's important to watch out for changes in personality, as this can be a sign of pain or illness.

When do cats start to get old?

Cats are generally considered to be middle aged when they are seven years old. While healthcare and diet can have an impact on a domestic cat's lifespan, the average life expectancy is around 12 to 13 years. But some cats can live for 20 years or even longer.

Many vets provide special senior care for cats, which can help to enable early diagnosis and treatment of health conditions. This can help to improve your cat's quality of life, even as they get older.

What happens during ageing?

As your cat gets older, you may notice changes:

• They sleep more and go out less
• They are wakeful at night
• Their coat is less shiny and white hairs have appeared
• Their appetite has changed
• Their hearing and/or sight has deteriorated
• Their immune system is weaker
• Their muscles are weaker

Internal organs such as the heart, liver and the kidneys can also deteriorate. But there are treatments available to help reduce some effects. Old age is not a reason to accept ill health and even senior cats can lead happy, active lives.

Caring for your senior cat

Diet

Older cats can start to lose weight. This can be caused by medical conditions, such as kidney and thyroid disease. If you notice your cat is losing weight, speak to your vet in case there is an underlying condition.

Your vet may suggest feeding a senior diet to help maintain weight. Some cats will prefer softer foods or food that is warmed – this can help encourage them to eat. If your pet is not on a medical diet, you could also try adding a small amount of tinned tuna or sardines (in spring water) to tempt them.

Other cats may gain weight in their old age. Excess weight can increase the risk of serious illnesses such as diabetes and arthritis, so it's important to control weight gain.

There are diets available that are lower in calories to help prevent weight gain. Protein restriction has not been proven to be beneficial for healthy cats, but is helpful for cats with kidney problems. But it's important to make sure this is complete and balanced protein restriction. Do not put your cat on a crash diet to help them lose weight – instead, speak to your vet for advice.

Weighing your cat

The best way to tell if your pet is overweight is to examine them carefully. If you cannot see an hourglass waist when looking from above, or cannot feel their ribs with light pressure, then your cat may be overweight.

More on cat weight

Environment

As your cat gets older, they may find it more difficult to navigate their environment due to conditions such as arthritis.

It's a good idea to modify their environment to make it safer and more accessible. This can help to prevent injury and avoid pressure on stiff joints.

• Put multiple food and water dishes in places that are easy for them to reach
• Provide a large litter tray with low walls to make it easier to climb in and out of. It's a good idea to provide multiple litter trays in quiet places in the house. This will give your cat plenty of opportunity to toilet when needed.
• Place steps where your cat may need to climb on and off of furniture. You may also need to place furniture to allow your cat to reach their favourite higher surfaces (but ensure there is a soft landing underneath)
• Provide lots of soft cushioned bedding in places that are easy to reach
• Cover slippery surfaces with mats or carpets

Grooming

Regular grooming is important for cats to help prevent matted fur. If your cat is looking unkempt or developing matted fur, speak to the vet. There may be dental disease or joint problems that are affecting their ability to groom.

Keep an eye on their claws. Younger cats usually do not need claw trimming, but reduced activity can result in the claws overgrowing. If left untrimmed, they can curl round and even grow into the foot. Ask your vet to check if you're not sure about the length of your cat's claws.

Common problems in older cats

There are some common health issues that older cats may experience, but there are often ways you can manage them to keep them happy and comfortable.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a painful condition which causes inflammation in the joints. It can affect the elbows, hips, knees and ankles. If your cat has arthritis you may notice limping, stiffness or difficulty moving around.

Over 90 per cent of cats over the age of 12 show signs of arthritis when X-rayed. It gradually worsens over time, but many cats instinctually hide signs of pain so you may not notice until the condition has become severe.

Arthritis cannot be cured, but it can be managed through medical treatment, environmental changes and weight control.

More on arthritis

Kidney disease

Kidney disease is a condition where the kidneys stop working properly over a period of time (several months to years). Sadly, kidney disease tends to get worse over time. The damage is often part of the ageing process, but can be due to other conditions such as infections or cancers. Symptoms often develop slowly, and the kidneys are often very damaged during this time.

Cats with kidney disease may drink excessive amounts of water, lose weight or show signs of weakness. There is no cure for kidney disease, but treatment is available to manage the condition.

Hyperthyroidism

Hyperthyroidism (also known as overactive thyroid) is a condition which causes bodily functions to speed up. It's common in older cats but can often be successfully treated with medication.

Symptoms include an increase in appetite or thirst, weight loss or poor coat condition. It's diagnosed using a blood test taken by the vet. Without treatment, hyperthyroidism can lead to heart failure or blindness.

More on hyperthyroidism

Dental disease

Dental disease is common in older cats due to the natural wear and tear of their teeth over time. Brushing can help keep with dental hygiene, but some problems may still occur due to old age.

Signs of dental disease include:

• bad breath
• lack of appetite or difficulty eating
• red and inflamed gums
• visible tartar

If you notice any of these symptoms, contact your vet. Stop brushing your cat's teeth if they have red gums, as this could be painful.

More on dental care

Cognitive dysfunction

Cognitive dysfunction (also known as dementia) occurs as the brain ages over time and can no longer carry out normal functions. You may notice changes in your cat's behaviour such as:

• forgetting to eat or drink
• toileting outside of their litter tray
• vocalising (particularly at night)
• sleeping more often, or staying awake at night
• anxiety

Your vet will try to rule out other conditions before diagnosing cognitive dysfunction. While it cannot be cured, there are ways to help your cat:

• Do not get angry or punish them for accidents. Place multiple litter trays in different areas of the house to give them lots of opportunity to toilet when they need to.
• Stick to a routine as much as possible, and keep their environment familiar to avoid confusion
• Place multiple food and water dishes around the house to encourage them to eat and drink
• Accompany your cat outside and secure your garden. While older cats may not go outdoors as often, they may become confused and need help finding their way back.

There may be medications to help your cat with cognitive dysfunction. Speak to your vet to find out what's suitable for them.

Loss of vision or hearing

Some conditions that are common in older cats can cause them to become blind or deaf. It's important to contact your vet if you notice problems with your cats eyes (such as weeping or redness) as these can worsen if left untreated.

If your cat has become deaf or blind, you may notice that they're more cautious when moving around, or that they are easily disorientated or startled. If your cat has an eye condition, they may also appear cloudy or milky in appearance.

While loss of vision or hearing cannot be reversed, there are things you can do to support your cat:

• Keep the environment and your cat's routine the same to help them navigate your home
• Keep them indoors – blind or deaf cats may not notice cars and are at risk of injury
• Place multiple water and food bowls where they can easily be found
• Make yourself known when approaching your cat and before handling – if they are blind, you can use sound to let them know you're there. Deaf cats rely on vibration, so use movement (such as footsteps or a closing door).
• Make visitors aware of your cat's condition and ensure they're respectful of their space

Diabetes

Diabetes in cats is a condition where the pancreas does not produce enough insulin, or their body does not respond properly to the hormone. It's one of the most common hormonal disorders found in cats and often appears in elderly or overweight felines. Left untreated, diabetes can cause your cat to become seriously unwell.

If your cat has diabetes, you may notice an increase in urination, excessive thirst or hunger and weight loss. The vet will need to carry out tests to diagnose your cat with diabetes. Diabetes is usually controlled with daily insulin injections, a suitable diet and strict weight control.

More on diabetes

Cancer

Cats can be affected by cancer at any age, but the risk increases as cats get older. The most common types of cancer in felines affect the skin, breast and white blood cells.

Symptoms of cancer are varied since it can affect any part of the body. Not all lumps are cancerous, but it's a good idea to ask your vet for advice if you spot anything unusual. Other signs of cancer include:

• loss of appetite
• weight loss
• lethargy or tiredness
• digestive problems that do not go away

Since these symptoms can be a sign of other illnesses, your vet will need to carry out further tests to diagnose cancer.

More on cancer

Time to say goodbye

Many conditions linked to old age can be relieved with medication. But there may come a time where your cat can no longer be kept comfortable.

It's important to regularly discuss your cat's quality of life with your vet. If treatment is no longer effective or you think they are suffering, you may need to consider putting your cat to sleep.