Senior cat care: checkups, signs of aging and keeping your cat comfortable

Cats are living longer than ever, and many now reach their late teens and beyond. Good senior cat care is mostly about noticing changes early, seeing your vet regularly and making home a little easier to get around. This guide is written from the veterinary sources listed below. It is not a substitute for an exam, and it is not reviewed by a vet. If you are not sure how old your cat is in human terms, try our cat age calculator.

What age is a senior cat?

The 2021 AAHA/AAFP Feline Life Stage Guidelines divide a cat’s life into kitten (birth to 1 year), young adult (1 to 6 years), mature adult (7 to 10 years) and senior (over 10 years). A separate end-of-life stage can happen at any age.

Age is only a rough guide. Cornell vets note that cats now live longer and are often considered older at 12 to 14, and that growing older is not a disease. Some older cats barely change at all. Others show age-related changes by about 10. What matters is how your own cat is doing.

How often does a senior cat need a checkup?

The AAFP senior care guidelines recommend a vet exam at least every 6 months for cats aged 10 to 15, and about every 4 months for healthy cats over 15. Cats with chronic health problems may need to be seen even more often, depending on how serious the illness is. For cats aged 7 to 10, summaries of the guidelines suggest an exam at least once a year, with baseline tests that give your vet something to compare against later.

Cats are good at hiding illness, and many problems show no outward signs early on. That is why a regular senior cat checkup is worth the trip even when your cat seems fine. Expect your vet to ask about changes at home, weigh your cat and check the teeth, joints, heart and body condition. Costs vary by clinic, and our guide to what a cat vet visit costs can help you plan.

Which tests are commonly suggested?

VCA lists five tests as the core of senior wellness testing:

• Complete blood count: checks red cells, white cells and platelets.
• Biochemistry profile: screens organs for problems such as diabetes and kidney disease.
• Urinalysis: assesses kidney function and checks for urinary inflammation or infection. VCA calls it particularly important in older cats because kidney disease is so common.
• Thyroid hormone test: VCA says thyroid hormone levels should be measured in all cats aged 8 and older as part of routine wellness testing.
• Blood pressure: high blood pressure often shows no outward signs until it has damaged organs such as the kidneys or eyes.

Your vet may suggest other tests depending on your cat. Ask which ones make sense and how often to repeat them.

What are the signs of aging in cats?

Common signs of aging in cats include sleeping more, playing less, being less keen to jump, and sometimes a bit more grumpiness. Cornell warns against chalking up health or behavior changes to old age, because they are often gradual and can point to common diseases or dental problems. Any change, sudden or slow, is worth a call to your vet.

What are the most common senior cat health problems?

Several of the most common senior cat health problems cause quiet, gradual changes, which is another reason regular checks matter. Each of these has its own guide:

• Kidney disease: very common in older cats. Early signs are drinking and peeing more, and weight loss.
• Hyperthyroidism: an overactive thyroid, often with weight loss despite a good appetite.
• Diabetes: more thirst, more urine, a big appetite and weight loss.
• Arthritis: very common, but most cats do not limp. They jump less and miss the litter box instead.
• Dental disease: painful gums and teeth that can stop a cat eating well.
• High blood pressure: often silent, and it can damage the kidneys and eyes. It is one reason blood pressure is part of senior checks.
• Heart disease: your vet listens to the heart at checkups. Trouble breathing is an emergency.
• Cancer: lumps, weight loss or a cat that is simply “off” should be checked by your vet.

These conditions can overlap, and one cat may have more than one. Early diagnosis often gives you more treatment options.

What is cognitive dysfunction in cats?

Cognitive dysfunction is a form of age-related brain decline, sometimes called cat dementia. Cornell says its signs tend to become clearly noticeable in cats aged 10 or older. They include:

• Spatial disorientation, such as seeming lost in a familiar room
• Staring blankly for long periods
• Altered sleep patterns and excessive sleeping
• Loud vocalizing, frequently in the middle of the night
• Less interest in play, food or water
• Urinating or defecating outside the litter box

Many illnesses can look the same, including arthritis pain, kidney disease, hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure and dental disease. Cornell notes that other causes need to be ruled out first, so see your vet rather than assuming it is just confusion. Keeping a steady routine, easy-to-reach litter boxes with low sides and ramps where needed can help.

How can I help my senior cat at home?

Small changes make a big difference. Cornell suggests:

• Litter boxes on every floor, with low sides. A box that is easy to step into matters for stiff joints.
• Food, water and litter easy to reach, even if your cat avoids stairs. Putting bowls in more than one place can help, and clean water matters most for older cats.
• Steps or ramps to favorite spots, with carpet or another non-slip covering.
• Soft bedding in quiet, easy-to-reach places.
• Help with grooming. If your cat is grooming less, gentle brushing helps, and a sudden drop in grooming is worth mentioning to your vet.
• A steady routine and few big changes. Cornell advises against adding another pet that could stress an older cat.

Keep your cat active with short, gentle play sessions that suit their body. Our cat calorie calculator and body condition score tool can help you track weight, and a weekly weigh-in at home catches small drops early. Because drinking more can be an early sign of illness, our water intake calculator is also handy.

What should I feed a senior cat?

Fresh water and good food matter at any age, and may matter more for older cats. Cornell suggests mixing canned and dry food so your cat takes in more water from the canned portion. Your vet can advise on a diet with appropriate nutrition and the right number of calories for your cat. Cats with kidney disease, diabetes or dental problems often need a specific plan, so do not change diets without asking.

How do I know if my senior cat is in pain?

Cats are good at masking pain and illness, and many do not cry or limp. Look instead for changes in behavior: jumping less, hiding, missing the litter box, grooming less, or being less social. Our is my cat in pain tool walks you through the signs. Pain can often be treated, so do not wait. Never give human pain relief without your vet’s say-so, because many common ones can poison cats.

How do I think about quality of life?

As cats get older or sicker, many owners want a way to look at how their cat is really doing day to day. Our cat quality of life scale is a gentle place to start. It does not replace your vet, who is the right person to talk with about your cat’s comfort, treatment options and what comes next.

For more guides on keeping your cat healthy through every stage, browse our cat care guides.

Written by the CatsMed Team from the sources above. This guide isn’t reviewed by a veterinarian and isn’t a substitute for one. See how we research.