Cats start showing their age once they reach double digits, despite having "nine lives." From cat years to human years, an 11-year-old cat is in his 60s and in senior years, which means the health risks are higher, and your cat is most likely experiencing some pain due to old age.
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| Source: PetMD |
Here are some signs that your cat is getting old:
Weight Fluctuations
Losing 1-2 lbs is not necessarily concerning aspect of aging. To some cats, this could only mean slimming down from their weight of early adulthood.
Weight loss in senior cat can be attributed to different factors:
- Muscle loss – Many senior cats, especially those with arthritis are prone to muscle loss. They may feel more boney to the touch. But as long as you keep providing them with a nutritious diet, this muscle loss should not cause your cat any severe issues.
- Increased caloric needs – when cats enter their senior years, their body changes and some require more calories to function daily. To keep up with their body’s needs, you may need to increase their daily consumption.
- Side effects of illness – some of the common problems of aging cats are diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease. One of the side effects of these include weight loss.
Weight loss can be associated to high-risk health problems and natural aging which makes it difficult to know when to seek professional help. It is always a good reason to take your cat to the vet whenever you notice significant changes in his behavior.
On the other hand, a slowing metabolism may also be what is causing the weight gain. There are cat food specially made for senior cats which have lower calories and protein, but providing enough calories without causing excess weight gain.
Fur Problems
As cats age, you may notice some changes in their fur. Their fur will lose a bit of luster and may get a little thinner. Here are other causes of fur problems in senior cats:
- Decreased grooming – most older cats are less interested in grooming. Whether it’s from physical or cognitive issues, it’s common to notice your senior cat spending a little bit less time grooming themselves. Sometimes the opposite - which is overgrooming may also indicate some health issues which is why it’s also important to know the signs of over grooming.
- Dental issues – you may notice your cat’s fur is looking a bit greasy, it could be due to several dental issues that causes their saliva to be less effective at cleaning their fur. They may be taking adequate time to clean, but like mopping the floor with dirty water, it may not get the job done.
- Mobility issues – discomfort may interfere with your cat’s grooming. If it’s painful for your senior cat to bend and flex, they may avoid cleaning certain areas. It can be from arthritis or osteoporosis—which are also common issues in older cats.
It’s best to consult with your vet if you notice a lack of shine in your senior cat’s coat as this could be linked to obesity and diabetes.
Less Energy and Mobility
As cats age, they usually have decreased energy and mobility. That means you may notice your cat showing these behaviors:
- Increased napping
- Shows less interest in toys
- Avoiding the stairs or jumping
These tips may help out your elder cat with their mobility issues:
- Cat stairs and ramps – A set of cat stairs leading to your bed or their condo can make it easier for a senior cat to get to the elevations they're used to without putting extra strain to their joints.
- Extra comfort – consider investing in a quality cat bed and extra blankets for your aging cat. This could be what they need for a comfortable restful sleep.
- Closer litter boxes – to avoid unfortunate accidents, you can make things a little easier on your senior cat by providing litter boxes on every floor of your home. That way your cat can avoid some stairs when it’s time to do their business.
Vision Change
As cats age, their senses become dull and one of these senses is vision. Unfortunately there is no plausible treatment to correct this.
Some of these vision problems are:- Cataracts – cataracts form when the transparent lens of the eyes become clouded, thus light is unable to pass through. This may cause difficulty on your aging cat in navigating. Eventually, cataracts may cause blindness, although the condition can be reversed through surgery.
- Retinal detachment – common causes of this is diabetes, high blood pressure, or glaucoma. Sometimes physical trauma may also lead to retinal detachment. Retinal detachment may lead to permanent vision loss.
- Blindness - some causes of blindness are feline immunodeficiency virus, feline leukemia virus, and feline infectious peritonitis virus. These can result in serious blindness on cats of any age.
Behavioral Changes
Cats are known to be moody and weird in a cute way. You most likely have an idea about your cat's "normal behaviour." Still, behavior changes are common in elderly cats, some of these are:
- Aggression
- Excessive sleeping
- Hiding in strange places
Your Kitty's regular routine may suddenly change. They may groom themselves a little bit more than usual or take their naps in places different from their usual locations. Behavioral changes in older cats may be the result of issues such as:
- Cognitive decline – like us humans, our brains age as we do. It's the same with cats. Confusion or anxiety in cats may be a result of this condition.
- Underlying health issues – when cats are suffering from untreated illness they often hide or avoid human interactions. Chronic pain or kidney failure may be the reason your cat is acting differently.
If your cat’s behavior is causing them anxiety or you cannot pinpoint what is wrong, it may be good to talk to your vet to see if your cat has underlying health issues.
Digestion Problems
It becomes more difficult for cats for their body to digest proteins and fats as they age, sometimes requiring dietary change to avoid severe weight loss. Senior cats may have increased vomiting or diarrhea, which are likely the result of any of the following:
- Kidney disease – kidney disease is very common in older cats. If left untreated, this can cause nausea and digestion issues. This is due to their blood is not properly filtered off waste products and phosphates.
- Chronic small intestinal disease - commonly caused by chronic inflammation or even cancer. It is more difficult to be noticed by pet owners since most cats suffering from this still maintain a healthy appetite. Some symptoms of chronic small intestine disease that you may observe are frequent vomiting and weight loss.
- Hyperthyroidism – overactive thyroid may cause diarrhea, vomiting, and several other serious side effects. This condition is common among senior cats and can be diagnosed through routine veterinary screenings. Once detected, it can be treated through medication, diet, or surgery.
Your cat may likely show one of these common issues as he age. Older cats can also develop incontinence too. Keep an eye on your cat’s appetite and check what you clean off their litter so you can monitor their digestive health. It is always best to treat health issues when detected early.
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