Your Senior Cat: Signs of Aging in Your Older Feline

Your cat may not be a wound-up kitten anymore, but old age shouldn’t keep your senior cat from getting the most out of the years ahead.

Senior cats are generally classified as being over 11 years of age. If your cat falls within this age group, it is important to be aware of certain physical and mental changes your senior cat will undergo at this stage of life. The following list contains common symptoms and conditions often associated with senior cats that can potentially impact their quality of life:

• Weight changes (either gaining or losing too much weight)
• Decreased sense of smell and hearing
• Sensitivity to light
• Heart or circulatory problems
• Less agility
• Digestion difficulties
• Brittle nails
• Grooming difficulties in hard-to-reach areas
• Loose skin/Loss of muscle mass
• Behavior changes, such as increased accidents outside the litter box, irritability, decreased human interaction, confusion and less playfulness
• Fluctuating sleep patterns
• Reduced digestive function
• Reduced immune response