Cats live far longer today than they did a few decades ago, and sharing your home with a 15- or 18-year-old cat is no longer unusual. But a senior cat is a master of disguise: cats hide pain and illness until a problem is well advanced. That is why the warning signs in an older cat tend to be subtle, and many owners put them down to "just old age". In this article we look at which changes deserve a vet visit, the diseases that usually lie behind them and how to look after your cat at this stage of life.
When is a cat considered senior?
The main feline health guidelines describe cats as mature from 7 to 10 years, senior from 11 and "super-senior" from 15. It is not a hard line: every cat ages at its own pace, and genetics, body weight and lifestyle all play a part. But from around 11 the chance of chronic disease clearly rises, and problems picked up early are usually easier to manage, with a better quality of life.
The key idea is simple: in an older cat, any change in habits is information. Your cat does not need to "look ill" for something to be going on.
Warning signs owners often miss
These are the signs we see most often in the clinic:
- Drinking more water than usual. You see your cat at the water bowl more often, it seeks out taps or glasses, or you are refilling the bowl more frequently. This is one of the most important signs and it is almost never normal.
- Litter tray changes. Bigger or more numerous urine clumps, urinating outside the tray, harder stools or constipation, or droppings next to the tray (sometimes because climbing in hurts).
- Losing weight while eating well, or even more. You can feel the spine or hips when you stroke your cat, or it begs for food all the time. Weight loss with a good appetite is a classic sign of some hormonal diseases.
- Eating less or with difficulty. Chewing on one side, dropping food, preferring wet food, or going up to the bowl and walking away.
- Vomiting more often. A cat that vomits several times a month is not doing it "because cats vomit": frequent vomiting is worth investigating at any age.
- No longer jumping. Your cat stops getting onto the bed, the windowsill or the worktop, or does it in two stages. This is usually joint pain, not laziness.
- Grooming less. A matted or flaky coat, especially over the lower back, or long, thick claws because they are no longer worn down.
- Yowling at night. Loud crying at night, wandering, or seeming to search for something.
- Disorientation and personality changes. Staring at walls, getting lost at home, forgetting where the litter tray is, being more irritable or, on the contrary, much clingier than before.
- Sleeping much more or hiding. Older cats do sleep more, but withdrawing and losing interest in their surroundings is not normal.
A handy tip: weigh your cat at home once a month (weigh yourself holding the cat and subtract your own weight) and write it down. Gradual weight loss is often the first objective clue that something is wrong.
The diseases most often behind these signs
No single sign tells you what is wrong, and several conditions can occur together. These are the most common ones in older cats:
Chronic kidney disease
One of the most frequent diseases in senior cats. Typical signs are thirst, more urine, weight loss, a fussy appetite and vomiting. Caught early, diet and treatment can slow it down considerably. We cover it in depth in our guide to kidney failure in cats.
Hyperthyroidism
The cat loses weight despite eating ravenously, is restless, more vocal (including at night), vomits and drinks more. It responds well to treatment, but the kidneys need monitoring at the same time, because hyperthyroidism can mask kidney disease. Find out more in our guide to feline hyperthyroidism.
Diabetes
Lots of thirst, lots of urine, a bigger appetite and weight loss. It is more common in overweight cats. With early diagnosis and the right treatment and diet, some cats can even go into remission. Read more in diabetes in cats: treatment and diet.
Osteoarthritis
The forgotten one. Most older cats have some degree of arthritis, yet few limp obviously: they simply jump less, groom less well, have accidents outside the tray or become grumpier. Effective treatments for chronic pain in cats are now available, so it is well worth raising with your vet.
High blood pressure
In cats it is usually secondary to another disease, mainly kidney or thyroid disease, and causes no signs until it damages organs such as the eyes, kidneys, heart or brain. Sudden blindness, or very dilated pupils that do not shrink in bright light, is an emergency. That is why blood pressure is measured as part of senior cat check-ups.
Dental disease
Periodontal disease and tooth resorption are common and very painful. Many cats keep eating despite the pain, so owners do not notice. Bad breath, drooling or chewing on one side are clues. There is more detail in our article on dental health in dogs and cats.
Night-time yowling and confusion may be due to cognitive dysfunction syndrome (similar to dementia), but hyperthyroidism, high blood pressure, pain and loss of sight or hearing must be ruled out first, as they cause very similar signs.
Senior check-ups: every 6 months
From age 11, a vet check every 6 months is recommended, even if your cat seems healthy. Six months in an older cat's life is a lot longer than six months in ours. A thorough senior check usually includes:
- Physical examination and weight, including body condition and muscle mass.
- Checking the mouth, joints, eyes and heart.
- Blood tests covering biochemistry (kidney and liver function, glucose) and thyroid hormone (T4).
- Urine tests, especially urine concentration, which can reveal kidney problems before blood tests do.
- Blood pressure measurement.
- A chat about any changes you have seen at home: bring your notes on weight, appetite and thirst.
Making your home senior-friendly
- Easy-access litter trays: with a low entry, and at least one on each floor if you have stairs.
- Ramps or steps up to favourite spots (sofa, bed, windowsill) so your cat does not have to jump.
- Soft, warm beds in quiet places, away from draughts.
- More water stations and some wet food to encourage drinking.
- Slightly raised food and water bowls if bending down is uncomfortable.
- Stable routines: older cats cope less well with change. If your cat seems confused, a dim night light can help.
- Help with grooming: short, gentle brushing sessions and regular claw checks.
- Adapted play: short, floor-level sessions to keep your cat active and engaged.
When to see the vet straight away
Book an appointment soon if you notice any of the signs above. And go to an emergency clinic if your cat:
- Stops eating for more than a day.
- Suddenly goes blind or bumps into furniture.
- Breathes with its mouth open or with effort.
- Goes in and out of the litter tray without passing urine.
- Suddenly loses the use of its back legs or has a seizure.
- Vomits repeatedly or is very lethargic.
Ageing is not a disease. With regular check-ups and a few changes at home, many cats enjoy a long, comfortable and peaceful old age.
This article is for information only and does not replace an assessment by your veterinarian. If you notice any change in your cat's health or behaviour, contact your vet.
