How Can I Help My Senior Cat Stay Healthy?

When is a cat a senior?

Sources differ. International Cat Care calls cats "mature" from 7, "senior" from 11 to 14, and "super senior" from 15. Cats Protection, Battersea and PDSA also use around 11 as the start of the senior stage. Vets Now says senior comes at around 10.

So, rather than watching the calendar, ask your vet when your cat needs extra attention. The risk of certain diseases increases as cats reach 7 and over.

Regular vet check-ups

Routine check-ups are the backbone of senior cat health. Cats Protection says that from around 7 or 8 a vet may recommend check-ups twice a year. Vets Now says that from 7, annual checks should include blood pressure and urine analysis, with annual blood tests advised from 11. International Cat Care says your vet will advise how often your cat needs checks.

Keep vaccinations, flea and worming treatment up to date, because older cats have a weaker immune system. Before an appointment, note any behaviour changes and take videos of your cat moving, for example on the stairs. Many vets also offer special senior care.

Weight and body condition

Weight loss can be the first sign of illness in older cats, so speak to your vet if weight drops rapidly or your cat looks underweight without a diet change. Cats Protection says it could signal an overactive thyroid, kidney disease, diabetes or dental disease. See why a cat may be losing weight.

Older cats can also gain weight, which raises the risk of diabetes and arthritis. Blue Cross suggests weighing your cat every one to two months, which helps you spot weight loss that can be hard to see by eye. Never put your cat on a crash diet to help them lose weight. Speak to your vet instead.

Feeding and drinking

Cats Protection advises moving to a diet made for senior cats at around 11, because older cats need fewer calories but more good-quality protein. PDSA advises changing food gradually over 7 to 10 days, as sudden swaps can cause digestive problems. Cats Protection says vitamin supplements are usually unnecessary, so speak to your vet before giving any.

Older cats often lose some appetite as smell and taste fade. International Cat Care suggests offering little and often, in a quiet spot, with a wide shallow bowl. Do not leave uneaten wet food out for more than an hour.

Senior cats are also at greater risk of dehydration. Put out several easy-to-reach water bowls, away from food and litter. Drinking more than usual is a reason to see your vet.

Teeth and mouth

Check your cat's teeth and mouth regularly. Bad breath, drooling, a chattering jaw, a reduced appetite and pawing at the mouth may all be signs of dental disease. Red, inflamed gums and visible tartar are other signs.

Blue Cross advises stopping tooth brushing if the gums are red, as it could be painful. Talk to your vet instead, and see our guide to dental disease in cats. Soft food can help a cat with sore teeth.

Joints and mobility

International Cat Care says arthritis is very common in older cats, but it may go undiagnosed because cats hide discomfort. Signs include less jumping, stiffness, difficulty using the litter tray, less grooming, overgrown claws and grumpiness. Read more in our guide to arthritis in cats.

Never give your cat human painkillers or other human medicines. Blue Cross says human painkillers are highly toxic to cats, and International Cat Care says the only medication to give is what your vet has prescribed.

Home comforts and litter trays

Offer a litter tray even if your cat goes outdoors. Older cats may avoid cold, damp weather, and an indoor tray lets you check urine and faeces. Choose a tray with low sides, large enough to turn round in, in a quiet, easy-to-reach spot. Several trays around the home can help.

If stairs are a struggle, keep food, water, beds and trays on one level. Add ramps or steps to favourite spots, and put cushions under windowsills as makeshift crash mats. Use mats or cut-pile runners on slippery floors.

Provide soft, warm, well-padded beds in easy places. Keep your routine and the layout steady, because older cats cope badly with change.

Grooming, claws and play

Help with grooming using a soft brush and a fine comb, and tease out mats rather than cutting them with scissors. Brush gently over bony areas such as the hips and spine. Grooming is also a chance to check for lumps and sores.

Senior cats can struggle to retract their claws, and claws can overgrow. International Cat Care says overgrown claws can sometimes point to a medical problem such as arthritis or an overactive thyroid, so speak to your vet before trimming claws. They can show you how to do it safely. Keep play gentle, in short sessions of a few minutes at a time.

Mind and behaviour

Cognitive dysfunction syndrome is the cat version of dementia. Signs include disorientation, a changed sleep-wake cycle, toileting in the house and loud crying, especially at night. International Cat Care says other conditions, including high blood pressure, can mimic it, so your vet must rule them out first.

It cannot be cured, but signs can be reduced with easy access to resources, a night light, routine and gentle play. Do not punish accidents. Also keep your cat's microchip details up to date, because older cats may become confused.